Saturday 02 June 2001, Bedford Esquires.
"Guns 'n Roses, Guns 'n Roses" - and so to that unforgettable chant intro to "get in the ring", several dozen people go apeshit to the sight of Axl, Slash and cronies walking onto the stage. Except...that it's the tribute band. Which is as good as we're going to get, seeing as the real deal are too busy stroking their massive egos.
They do a good job of looking like the band (Slash especially), and open with "Welcome To the Jungle". The crowd love it, with a decent bouncy pit moving to every rock'n'roll rhythm that the band throw. Only when they play "Don't Cry" does the pace slow down and the crowd look bored. Quick costume change later for Axl, and The Band blast back with "My Michelle" they finish with "Live And let Die" and the pit explodes into a mass of hair and sing-a-longs.
Encoring with Paradise City, it's obvious everyone is having a good time, forgetting that we might never see the original line up - but who cares, when you've got a note perfect and quality look-a-like Gunz 'n Rozes playing our beloved Esquires.
Overall, a good gig with decent crowd interaction with the band; a good job done, making people forget that they weren't watching the real deal. Just next time, forget the hot pants Axl!
Rock'n'Roll Roy