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Mobile Fidelity<br />
The Original Audiophile Record Label.<br />
Still Producing the World’s Finest<br />
LPs, SACDs and 24K Gold CDs.<br />
www.mofi.com<br />
LIVE MUSIC<br />
For all the familiar hits and<br />
favorites, including an aptly grand<br />
“November Rain” presaged with the<br />
instrumental conclusion of Derek<br />
and the Dominos’ “Layla,” <strong>Guns</strong> N’<br />
Roses’ choice to play three of its most<br />
ambitious epics from their twin Use<br />
Your Illusion albums spoke in uniformly<br />
loud volumes. Addressing alienation<br />
(“Estranged”), conflict (“Civil War”),<br />
and psychological struggle (“Coma”)<br />
with equal parts tension, risk, and<br />
intelligence, the emotionally potent<br />
songs took on new meaning in light<br />
of the band’s contentious past and<br />
reunited present. In several regards,<br />
the diverse tunes functioned as subtle<br />
commentary on <strong>Guns</strong> N’ Roses’<br />
history together.<br />
“Oh won’t you please take me<br />
home,” Rose cried during the set-closing<br />
“Paradise City,” seeking blissful<br />
sanctuary while stuffing yearning, apprehension,<br />
and hope into a densely<br />
packed cluster bomb that burst into<br />
euphoric catharsis during the final<br />
minutes. Whether the jubilation continues<br />
beyond the tour remains anyone’s<br />
guess. But with the performances<br />
much more than a wished-for illusion,<br />
it would seem a shame for <strong>Guns</strong> N’<br />
Roses not to try. l<br />
AUGUST 2016 35
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