Guns N’ Roses returned to Mumbai on Saturday May 17th after thirteen years to treat fans who had travelled from all over the country to witness a high octane rock show.
Despite fair warnings of November Rain in the middle of May, concert goers turned up at the venue, umbrellas not allowed. But when the drums hit the cymbals, the clouds parted to bathe the venue a warm sunset under a vanilla sky.
At around half past six in the evening, a sea of black t shirts with the band’s logo emblazoned converged, walking in a single file. An excited pilgrimage that ended at the gates of Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Most were milling about outside, smoking or standing in line for merchandise and refreshments but the minute the band’s iconic logo appeared on the screens on stage, they moved as a herd, drawn to the music like moths to a flame.
It started with a bang. Welcome To The Jungle. The crowd exploded, dancing in a frenzy and singing along loudly to the extent it overpowered Axl Rose’s own vocals!
GnR Mumbai Concert 2025: Axl Rose, lead vocalist and lead guitarist Slash | FPJ Image
In general, the rule of thumb while attending a rock concert is to stand next to the sound booth, far enough from the mosh pit so as not to get trampled on while hearing the best sound. In this case however there was a giant tent blocking the view to the stage so the average concert viewer had to stand at the sides. Packed like sardines, through the haze of smoke from cigarettes, vape guns, weed and the feel of sweat and spilt drinks, the only thing left to do is to turn your eyes to the giant screens, the light cutting through the smoke like a beacon. But that’s the thing with rock; it’s messy, chaotic and high on adrenaline.
GnR Mumbai Concert 2025: Bassist Duff McKagan | FPJ Image
When your lungs finally get tired of inhaling second hand smoke, you decide to make your way out of the mosh pit, away from the stage so you can finally breathe. That’s when the giant screens become a godsend. Now you can see what’s happening on stage as if you were right there. The camera zooms in on Slash shredding on his Gibson Les Paul, you forget everything else and lose yourself in the music.
Playing without a break for three whole hours, guitars were switched out seamlessly and transitions between songs happened so naturally that the passage of time itself was nonexistent.
GnR Mumbai Concert 2025: Lead Vocalist Axle Rose | FPJ Image
The set list ticked off all the favorites, from covers like Live and Let Die to Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door and originals; Sweet Child O’ Mine, November Rain before finally arriving at Paradise City.
GnR Mumbai Concert 2025: The closing act by the band | FPJ Image
It was a night to remember. I’d never thought I’d be seeing GnR play Paradise City live when I was in sixth grade getting into trouble for scrawling the lyrics on my desk in class!
