Live Review: Guns N’ Roses, 02 Arena, London, 14th October

Twenty years ago Guns N’ Roses were the most dangerous, unpredictable band on the planet. Going to see them live was a gamble. You could witness one of the greatest concerts of your life, or Axl Rose, the band’s fiery front man, could storm off stage in a fit of rage.

A lot can happen in 20 years. The band’s original line up disintegrated acrimoniously in the mid 1990s, and since then Rose has struggled to pick up the pieces.

At the O2 the ‘new’ Guns N’ Roses delivered a blistering mix of old and new material in a set that ran well past midnight and contained over 30 songs.

However, the past Rose has tried to escape from hung over the concert, and the appearance of the band’s original bassist Duff McKagan did little to stop fans harking back to the glory days.

One thing that hasn’t changed is Rose’s propensity to be late. This time the concert got under way an hour and twenty minutes later than planned.

The new was interspersed with the old – “Chinese Democracy”, “Sorry” and “Better” were sandwiched between “Welcome to the Jungle”, “It’s So Easy” and “Live and Let Die”.

It was the classics that had the fans on their feet. The reception for the newer material was hardly ice cold. However, both Rose and the crowd seemed infinitely happier playing the popular and familiar.

Then Duff McKagan appeared on stage. It was his first appearance with Rose for 17 years, and the shock and delight among the crowd was palpable. He is the second original member to play with Rose after rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin in 2006. McKagan played “You Could Be Mine” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – the latter easily the most rousing song of the night.

While age has caught up with Rose he can still put on a good show. The screeches and growls are as ear piercing as ever. He has put on weight but nonetheless makes full use of the stage. Still, the inescapable conclusion you form whilst watching Rose is that there is just something missing.

However talented current guitarists Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, DJ Ashba and Richard Fortus are, the effortless brilliance of Slash is missed. The opening riff to Sweet Child O’ Mine is just not the same without him.

McKagan’s appearance will fuel speculation about a possible reunion and talk of the past will rage on. And Rose’s performance shows that it would make sense.