DUBAI // One of rock’s biggest tours is coming to the UAE. Guns N’ Roses, featuring the classic line up of frontman Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, will perform at the Autism Rocks Arena in Dubai on March 3.
Online registration has begun and tickets will go on sale soon.
The Dubai stop is part of the hard rockers’ successful world tour, dubbed Not In This Life Time, which began in North America in April.
The title alludes to the fact that all three members have not performed together for over 20 years, since their acrimonious split in 1993.
Since then Rose continued to tour under the Guns N' Roses name; he in 2010 and 2013 on Yas Island and released the 2008 album, Chinese Democracy, which was a commercial flop.
Slash teamed up with McKagan to form the group Velvet Revolver, featuring the late frontman Scott Weiland, and headlined the Desert Rock Festival in Dubai in 2008.
He returned in 2013, to perform under his own name, and delivered a raucous show at the Dubai Tennis Stadium featuring a surprise guest appearance by vintage shock-rocker Alice Cooper.
While news of a reunion has been bubbling for five years, the rumours went into overdrive when Slash confirmed in August last year that he had reconnected with Rose.
The new tour finds the rejuvenated Guns N’ Roses touring North, South and Central America, Asia and Australia. Dubai will be the 60th, and currently final, show of the current leg.
The Autism Rocks Arena can hold up to 30,000 people, and Thomas Ovesen, head of concert promoters 117Live, says it could sell out.
“Is is not a ticket to hold out for – get yours before it is too late,” he said.
One person who may be looking forward to the show is Slash himself.
Speaking backstage to The National before his 2013 solo show, he hailed the enthusiasm of UAE fans.
“My first experience was surprisingly great,” he said. “I didn’t know the environment and how much of a rock audience there was this far away and it turned out to be awesome.”
For details and registration go to 117live.com
sasaeed@thenational.ae
