The band arrived on stage nearly two hours late and Axl, due to ill health, couldn't finish the show, the band was fronted by Skid Row's Sebastian Bach for the encore.
This wasn't just a one-off occasion. The American rock band has a habit of turning up late. Back in 2002 Guns N'Roses kept fans at the Leeds festival waiting for two hours much to the frustration of the festival's organiser, Melvin Benn.
To ensure the band would turn up on time this year Benn issued a warning that should Axl and co. arrive on stage late he would pull the plug to comply with the festival's strict curfew.
So, everything was fine and Guns N'Roses were sure to be on stage in time. Correct?
Of course this didn't happen and thanks to our very own Axl Rose kinda review of this years' Reading festival - two weeks late! You would have read the carnage that followed, but before we give our personal drunk eyewitness account let's focus on day one of the festival itself and the acts who managed to perform - on time!
After making notes in regards to collecting disabled wristbands (one for the camping, another for access inside the main arena)...A separate portacabin situated outside the entrance to the disabled campsite...Easy access to the campsite itself...The carer being given a personal assisant lament; it was time to catch comedian Tom Deacon who was performing on the Alternative Stage.
Deacon, who may or may not know, presents The 5:19 Show, apparently the given time youngsters are most online, followed the YouTube cover-versions sensation, Midnight Beast - which is apparently the given time most adults browse the web, especially the single ones!
Staying online for a second our readers who have children are probably more than aware of the growing use of abbreviations used in chartrooms these days. The Lostprophets are certainly accustomed to this lazy style of writing as they have nabbed a phrase from Punktastic forum member, Mike Hemsley; Not only can you now buy merchandised T-Shirts reading MEGA LOLZ but the slogan back dropped the lads set on the main stage. In preparation for tonight’s headliners the welsh lads opened 'A Brand New Story' with a few riffs pinched from 'Sweet Child O Mine' which could be heard from the 'rooftop' which sheltered Vodafone customers as they watched from their special viewing platform way above the crowds.
Biffy Clyo have jumped onto the escalator marked 'Rock Stardom' although in our book Golden Rule No. 1 reads that pink trousers should be reserved for the likes of Mika and the Scissor Sisters. Still, overlooking Simon's rainbow-coloured taste in fashion disasters the half dressed camp Father Christmas figurehead ramshackle through the bands set list although during 'God & Satan' a demon photographer managed to sneak his way onto the disabled platform. The unwanted guest was kicked off straight away and burnt at the stake - MEGA LOLZ!
It's 9.30pm, The Queens Of Stone Age finished half an hour ago and Guns N' Roses are due on.
Its 10pm - Still no sign of Guns N' Roses. So, to kill time let's résumé over the bands which we didn't manage to catch today... Over at the NME/ Radio 1 stage the likes of The Big Pink, Delphic, Mumford & Sons and LCD Soundsystem played to a sweaty bunch of crazed fans whereas Against Me! And Alkaline Trio could be found belting their little hearts out on the Lock Up Stage. For those who require acts a little easier on the ears and for that matter, easier on the eyes, Marina & the Diamonds rounded off the proceedings over at the Festival Republic Stage.
An hour later than scheduled Axl Rose and co. eventually emerge from their dressing rooms and take to the stage. The artist other known as Oral Sex is draped in a silver suit and kicks us off with Chinese Democracy before welcoming us 'to the jungle'.
Following in McCartney footsteps and Roger Moore's Bondtastic adventures Rose covers Live & Let Die before leaving the stage. Could this mean another short set for Rose? Is Bach loitering backstage for another stab at the 'big time'? Fortunately Rose's brief departure gives way for the newly formed backing band to take centre stage for a series of solo instrumental breaks. (Richard Fortus on piano & guitarist DJ Ashba also have separate interludes to show off their skills playing The James Bond Theme and Ballad Of Death respectably.)
During Sweet Child O' Mine (dedicated to the Chilean miners) a couple of spiteful kids gatecrash onto the disabled platform despite a three-man human shield positioned at the entrance to the viewing area. Rose returns and does a piano solo (he plays Goodbye Yellow Brick Road & Someone Saved My Life Tonight) before the tinkering of the keys evoke into the blustering splashes of November Rain. The set ends with Nightrain...and then the set really starts falling off its tracks.
Axl remarks the he 'didn't know why he bothered coming' and returns to the main stage for Better & Paradise City. Well, that was the plan! Benn looks at his watch, true to his word he orders the power to be cut when the curfew is met leaving the band to struggle play above the deafening crowd through a megaphone!
We actually see Axl leaving the stage from behind the scenes, he doesn't seem too disheartened although days later he will declare war on the festival's organiser and once again leave the Leeds crowd waiting the following night.
Although the press haven't taken too kindly to their performances the set we saw was immense and technical & behaviour issues aside Guns N'Roses gave a bloody great performance it's just a shame somebody's alter-ego dampened the proceedings.
