Best concert EVER!!!!!

In the famed words of Axel himself, "oooohhh, it was the best time I can remember!"

Last night, I dream totally came true for me. My teenage thrill came to life in a unbelieveable mix of sights, sounds and pyrotechnics. :) The night opened with the Dynamics (?). Honestly, I can't remember the group's name. They were pretty good, but not my cup of tea. They came on about 8:35 for a half hour. After a break, the Suicide Girls came on. Well, it was interesting to say the least. 5 girls stripping basically. Certainly they were great entertainers. I know I couldn't use a hoola-hoop like that. :) I did feel awkward for the 12 year old (and under) kids in the audience. Definitely an adult only show. The SG were on for a half hour. Then they set up for the Trews. They came on about 10 o'clock and played solid for an hour. Unreal! Of course the signature song I wanted to hear ("Not ready to go") was second last on the set list. D!OH!

After the Trews left the stage, the crew came to set up for GNR. It was so exciting and the anticipation just kept building. It didn't feel like "are they on YET" at all! Just when they finished the sound check, they raised part of the staging...applause. Then the crowd settled for a while till the next bit of staging took form...more applause. Then at 11:55, the lights dimmed and the crowd LOST IT!!!! Everyone was freaking out just waiting for a glimpse of the band!! GNR took the stage an opened with "Welcome to the Jungle". Un-freakin'-real!! Everyone was on their feet and remained so for 4 or 5 songs. I felt like I was in "The Surreal Life". Here was my teen idol on stage. And I'm in the audience witnessing the whole event. All night I kept thinking to myself...'How am I so fortunate to be here?? I can't believe I'm actually here...and he's actually there!!'

GNR didn't stop for over 2 hours!!!!!! In that time I believe there were just 3 songs I didn't recognize (off their new album...which I want to get asap!). They played all the faves...Paradise City, You Could Be Mine, My Michelle, Patience, November Rain, Sweet Child O'Mine...and the list goes on. In between sets, they had one of the band mates do a few songs solo (instrumental). Dizzy (Izzy?) on keyboards came centre stage and played amazing dramatic music on piano. Couldn't name the tune but it was incredible...and also surreal to see this rockin', tattooed guy playing piano so beautifully. There were 3 guitarists who also took turns playing solo. One of the guys did "Oh Canada" on electric guitar. Amazing! I felt so honoured and proud. The other two performed Christina Agulara's (sp?) "Beautiful" together. Awesome job!!

And the highlight of the night...the Trailer Park Boys! Julian, Ricky and Bubbles take the stage...Bubbles with guitar in hand. He reaches the mike and says, "Here's a tune I play down at the Legion...it's called Liquor & Whores". The audience went nuts! Everyone sang along. I felt so happy for Mike (Bubbles). Here he is coming from the Trailer Park to playing on stage with Axel Rose. How cool is that??!! Even after they left the stage, Axel sang the chorus again. He said something about adding them to the tour. I was too cool!! The show wrapped up around 2 a.m. with a 15 minute encore. It was a truly amazing night and a huge dream come true for me! Special thanks to AM for suppling the last minute tickets. And for my partner in cheering, DH, for screaming alongside me and driving my tired a$$ home. And a shout out to Shay...sorry you missed it baby! I rocked extra hard for you!!!!

Later peeps!
~B