Despite gloomy skies and heavy morning showers, nothing could dampen the spirit of thousands of fans gathered at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Saturday, May 17. The iconic American rock band Guns N’ Roses (GNR) returned to India after more than a decade, delivering a powerhouse performance that brought back the golden age of hard rock.
Fittingly, the downpour earlier in the day felt like a lyrical welcome for their classic anthem “November Rain”. Traffic snarls near Mahalaxmi led many fans to walk from the nearby railway station—an act of devotion to their rock idols.
Event organizers BookMyShow Live and Live Nation, who are managing the band’s 2025 India tour, quickly issued advisories asking attendees to carry rain gear. Entry protocols and ticket counters were adjusted to accommodate the weather.
While some fans missed the opening set by Girish and The Chronicles—a rock band from Gangtok, Sikkim—due to the long entry queues, anticipation for GNR was palpable.
For Avi T., a digital marketing professional from Mumbai, the concert marked redemption. “I missed them in 2012 and wasn’t going to let that happen again. GNR has this perfect blend of heavy riffs and melodic ballads. Slash hasn’t lost a beat—his guitar solo in Sweet Child O’ Mine gave me chills.”
From leather jackets to classic GNR tees and bandanas, fans came from across India and neighboring countries, creating a sea of rock nostalgia. For many, it wasn’t just a concert—it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Axl Rose kicked off the night at 7 p.m. with the fiery anthem Welcome to the Jungle, instantly igniting the crowd. “It’s good to see you again, Mumbai. How are we doing?” he greeted, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.
From that moment on, it was a relentless three-hour set. As Slash launched into the unforgettable opening riff of Sweet Child O’ Mine, the audience erupted, singing every lyric in unison.
Rose later introduced the rest of the band: bassist Duff McKagan, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Melissa Reese, guitarist Richard Fortus, and drummer Isaac Carpenter.
One of the emotional highlights came when Axl sat under a lone spotlight at the piano to perform November Rain, dressed in a black sequined blazer. The sky cleared briefly, as if pausing for the moment.
The night was a nostalgic journey through fan-favorite hits like You Could Be Mine, It’s So Easy, Estranged, Patience, Yesterday, Pretty Tied Up, and Paradise City—each one met with wild cheers and unwavering singalongs.
