Guns N' Roses @ Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux

By now, the "Not in This Lifetime" tour is hardly an unknown quantity. Guns N' Roses has been on the road for two years, the setlist is largely established and countless reviews have already dissected every aspect of the reunion. Yet some tours invite repeated visits, and this one continues to reward them.

The evening begins a few hours before the concert itself. Staying near the stadium proves to be a wise decision, not least because it allows an unexpected soundtrack to an afternoon by the hotel pool. From somewhere beyond the surrounding buildings comes the unmistakable sound of Guns N' Roses rehearsing. Snippets of "It's So Easy," "Estranged," "Attitude," "Civil War" and "Madagascar" drift through the warm Bordeaux air, a reminder of just how deep the band's catalogue has become. Curiously, several of those songs never make it into the evening's performance.

Rival Sons once again occupy the opening slot. They remain a capable live band and the audience responds warmly enough, but familiarity inevitably breeds diminishing returns. Their blend of retro hard rock still delivers the goods, though it struggles to generate the excitement it once did.

As has become customary on this tour, Guns N' Roses takes the stage precisely on schedule following its familiar introductory film. Three and a half hours later, it is difficult to imagine anyone feeling short-changed.

At this point, the strengths and weaknesses of the production are well established. The tribute covers dedicated to departed musicians feel increasingly predictable and could perhaps benefit from some rotation. The setlist itself remains remarkably consistent from show to show, with "Patience" representing one of the evening's few notable additions compared to recent dates. Fans hoping for radical reinvention may leave disappointed.

Yet the fundamental appeal of the reunion remains unchanged. Seeing Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan share a stage still carries a charge that no amount of repetition can entirely diminish. Their chemistry may not be demonstrative, but it is undeniable. Whatever tensions once existed between them seem secondary to the music they create together.

The supporting musicians continue to perform admirably. Richard Fortus remains one of modern rock's most underrated guitarists, Frank Ferrer drives the band with characteristic force and consistency, Dizzy Reed provides his usual steady presence, while Melissa Reese has become a fully integrated part of the line-up. Whatever reservations some fans initially harboured about the expanded ensemble have long since become irrelevant. This version of Guns N' Roses works.

Axl's performance is similarly strong. His voice shows occasional signs of strain as the evening progresses, something almost inevitable given the demands of the material and the length of the show. Nevertheless, he attacks the songs with conviction and delivers several genuinely impressive moments, particularly on the recently revived "Shadow of Your Love."

Visually, the production remains every bit as extravagant as one would expect. Pyrotechnics erupt at regular intervals, the video screens are used effectively and the catalogue itself remains almost absurdly strong. Few bands can sustain a concert of this length while maintaining the audience's attention so completely.

The only real criticism is one that emerges precisely because the tour is so successful. Having now settled into a comfortable groove, there is perhaps room for a little more unpredictability. A few deeper cuts, a rotating selection of covers or some more adventurous setlist choices would go a long way towards keeping even the most dedicated followers guessing.

That said, these are minor complaints. The reunion continues to deliver exactly what it promises: a fully operational Guns N' Roses featuring the three musicians most people never expected to see together again. For years, that possibility seemed permanently out of reach. Now it feels almost normal. Which may be the most surprising development of all.

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