Guns ‘N Roses Will Reunite for Coachella. Bet on It.
If you have a bookie who’s taking bets with favourable odds on a Guns ‘N Roses reunion, lay down as much as you can. There’s the change to the old logo on the official Gunners website. There’s the mysterious trailer that’s running before some screenings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
And the industry buzz is deafining.This is as close to a sure thing as you’re going to find right now. This is as close to a sure thing as you’re going to find right now.
It what’s become the worst-kept secret since Michael Jackson’s predilection for young boys, it’s all but certain that the original Gunners lineup will reunite for a performance at Coachella in April, either the weekend of the 15-17 or 22-24. Following that will be a stadium tour with as many as 25 dates across the US. The band is rumoured to be asking a guarantee of $3 million USD per show (plus bonuses), indicating top price tickets somewhere between $250-275. (That’s wishful thinking. The after-market price of tickets will skyrocket into the mid-four figures, especially for the first show.)
Who’s in the band? Axl, Slash, Izzy, Duff and, um, I guess Matt Sorum, although maybe there’s a place for Steve Adler. (I hope there is. I’ve met Steve several times and he’s puppy dog sweet. He’d do anything to be part of this.)
Where will it start? The smart money is on the brand new Las Vegas Arena, which is set to open on April 6. The LVA is operated by AEG, the global promotion company and fierce rival to Live Nation. Representatives from all the associated entities–Coachella, AEG, artist managers and the various agents involved–have all gone to ground, disappeared. No one is talking.
When will there be an announcement? Again, more speculation. The favoured date is Tuesday, January 5, the day when everyone should be back from the holidays.
The last time the classic Guns ‘N Roses reunion appeared onstage together was on July 17, 1993, at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires.
