ShortList is supported by you, our amazing readers. When you click through the links on our site and make a purchase we may earn a commission. Learn more

The original Guns N' Roses have played a gig together and here's the footage

Remaining line-up revealed

The original Guns N' Roses have played a gig together and here's the footage

We genuinely thought there was more chance of the devil deciding it was just a bit too fiery down there and setting the thermostat to "chill".

On Friday night, the classic Guns N' Roses line-up (well, three fifths of it) played a gig together for the first time in 23 years at the 500-capacity Troubadour in Los Angeles, with tickets costing a mere $10.

After two decades of near constant feuding between Slash and Axl, the world was stunned in January when a host of rumours were confirmed to be true: that the pair had buried the hatchet and were preparing to reunite to play shows at the Coachella festival, later this month.

So, what did we learn from the comeback gig?

(Images: Ali Shayesteh/Slasharmyohio/Slash America/Divan Rose)

The show had an apt name

The show was billed under the name 'Not in this lifetime', a reference to a 2012 Axl Rose quote about the likelihood of a reunion. It's also going to be the name of their just-announced North American tour, which will take in 20 dates, beginning in Detroit on 23 June and finishing in San Diego on 22 August.


The rest of the lineup has been revealed

Sadly, there's no return for either original drummer Steven Adler, or his replacement Matt Sorum - instead Frank Ferrer retains the hotseat, having played with the Axl Rose + guests Gn'R lineup since 2006. Meanwhile Dizzy Reed continues on keyboard, having played continuously since 1990, and Melissa Reese has been drafted in as a second keyboardist, replacing Chris Pitman, who has played with the band since 1998, co-writing several songs on Chinese Democracy. Original rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin is also absent, having declined the opportunity to rejoin the band for the reunion.


They're playing the classics and a few extras

The set list naturally featured mainly classic-era material, but also took in two songs from Chinese Democracy - which Slash and Duff, of course, did not play on - as well as a cover of The Seeker by The Who, which was not played by the original lineup (but was, by the later era band).

1. "It's So Easy"
2. "Mr. Brownstone"
3. "Chinese Democracy"
4. "Welcome to the Jungle"
5. "Double Talkin' Jive"
6. "Live and Let Die"
7. "Rocket Queen"
8. "You Could Be Mine"
9. "Speak Softly Love"
10. "Sweet Child O' Mine"
11. "New Rose"
12. "Better"
13. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
14. "My Michelle"
15. "Nightrain"
16. "The Seeker" (The Who cover)
17. "Paradise City"


It sounds pretty good

Despite a ban on cellphones, some eager fans still managed to sneak in and record some clips. Here's one of Sweet Child O' Mine.


Axl hasn't got any thinner (but Slash looks buff ting)

Axl still looks pretty big (and so does Slash):


It's so strange seeing Axl and Slash interact with each other

Even watching these short clips, we're still expecting the pair of them to come to blows, yet they seem comfortable in each other's company. How long will it last? We shall soon see.