Guns N' Roses @ La Défense Arena, Nanterre

It is somewhat astonishing to realize that the current incarnation of Guns N' Roses has now existed for seven years. What initially looked like a nostalgic reunion has evolved into a fully functioning band, one that has spent the better part of a decade crisscrossing the globe, playing marathon shows and reminding audiences why these songs became classics in the first place. More surprisingly still, they have done so with a level of professionalism and consistency that would once have seemed completely out of character. The scandals, cancellations and public feuds that used to dominate every conversation about Guns N' Roses have largely disappeared from view. For perhaps the first time since the early nineties, the music itself has become the main story.

And what a story it remains.

Five years have passed since the band last played Paris, and while the overall structure of the show remains familiar, the setlist has undergone enough subtle adjustments to keep things interesting. The balance between fan favourites and deeper cuts feels particularly well judged. Casual listeners get the songs they came for, while dedicated followers are rewarded with enough surprises to make the evening feel special.

The one unavoidable point of discussion remains Axl Rose's voice. There is no escaping the fact that the instrument has changed. The astonishing form he displayed during the early stages of the reunion and his stint with AC/DC has inevitably faded. Decades spent singing in a punishing register have taken their toll, and some songs expose those limitations more than others. Yet the situation is far from the disaster some commentators would have you believe. In fact, Rose often sounds better than he did a few years ago, particularly when he allows himself to sing within a more comfortable range rather than forcing the old screams. There are difficult moments, certainly, but they are outweighed by performances that range from solid to genuinely excellent. More importantly, his commitment never wavers.

The rest of the band is operating at an exceptionally high level. Slash remains one of the great rock guitarists, his solos somehow balancing technical brilliance with melodic instinct. Duff McKagan continues to provide the band's heartbeat, while the expanded line-up performs with the confidence and precision of musicians who have spent years refining this material together. Add spectacular lighting, enormous video screens and one of the strongest catalogues in hard rock history, and the result is difficult to resist.

The setlist is, quite frankly, ridiculous. "Bad Obsession" appears early. "Reckless Life," "Anything Goes" and "Pretty Tied Up" all make welcome appearances. "Coma" emerges during the encore section. Meanwhile, the unavoidable giants remain as powerful as ever. "Civil War," "Estranged," "November Rain," "Double Talkin' Jive," "Nightrain," "Sweet Child O' Mine"... the list goes on. There is enough material here to satisfy everyone from the most obsessive collector to the casual festivalgoer.

Perhaps the most striking transformation, however, is Axl Rose himself. Watching him joke with his bandmates, smile at the audience and genuinely appear to enjoy being on stage remains one of the most unexpected developments in modern rock. Whether this reflects personal growth, changed circumstances or simply the passage of time hardly matters. The effect is undeniable. The atmosphere surrounding Guns N' Roses today is vastly more positive than the one that defined so much of their legend.

And that may be the real takeaway from a Guns N' Roses concert in 2023. For all the darkness in the lyrics, the chaos in the band's history and the mythology that surrounds them, these shows have become celebrations. Not merely of a catalogue or a legacy, but of the simple joy of rock and roll performed at the highest level. Guns N' Roses has now entered the realm occupied by The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and U2: artists whose concerts transcend the idea of a standard rock show and become communal events.

If you're already a fan, you understand that before the lights go down. And if you're not, well...

Welcome to the Jungle.

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