I remember when Guns N’ Roses signed with Geffen Records and their debut album came out. Well, in the spirit of full disclosure for me it wasn’t the album but a cassette tape but you know what I mean! It was back when MTV only played music, was still über cool and they had huge promotions leading up to the ‘world premiere’ of a video. We’d all gather together for that one moment and watch the very first time a video played EVER. It was 1986 and I was 16 years old, in high school in sunny southern California and life was great! Except back then I wasn’t allowed to go to rock concerts because my Mom didn’t think it was safe. In the 80s she let me go to Spandau Ballet and General Public and other 80s pop concerts but never rock (except that one time my senior year when I went to Tahoe skiing and Van Halen was playing but she wasn’t around to say no so I WENT!) but… mama’s not here now, I’m older, and GNR is coming to India in December to play in Bangalore, Mumbai and Gurgaon…and I will be working, travelling and touring with the band as the head of social media for the Tour!
Funny thing is, the experience of watching Guns N’ Roses is going be completely different in India now compared to anything I would have experienced back home, even if I had seen them in 1991 when I was of legal drinking age. And I am not talking about the change in band members! You see, India still shocks me even after 18 months of living here. Sure I still get excited when I see a monkey running around Lavelle Road but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the unexpected opulence and decadence that pops out of nowhere at times. Like walking into an after party in a “normal” neighbourhood in downtown Bangalore to find an elevator in a single-unit three story family home! You just never see that back in Europe or the U.S. unless you are in the most posh neighbourhood imaginable.
Well there won’t be an elevator at the concert but there will be a VIP zone called the Platinum Lounge from Mooz Entertainment (the company bringing GNR to India) that is unlike anything I’ve personally experienced at a concert. From what I understand, it is built up just for the day and it is unlike any other roped-off or ‘press area’ VIP zone that I’ve heard of at a concert. While Guns N’ Roses is rockin’ us to Paradise City we will have two options where we can take it all in at the Platinum Lounge – either on a platform alongside and built up to the elevation of the stage or in the attached temperature-controlled suite equipped with bartenders serving unlimited refreshments and cocktails, with waiters dishing out unlimited food from one of the finest caterers in the city!
And the VIP treatment doesn’t end there. For the all-inclucive price of Rs. 10,000, they offer a dedicated entrance and assisted parking (not sure if that means valet but seems like it), as well as comfortable seating which I understand is stadium style but I haven’t seen pics yet. I’ve actually never been to a concert in India but I heard the stories my buddies told me after Metallica of ruined shoes from mud, mayhem parking situations and dodgy loos. So the prissy side of me is pretty damn excited to have Platinum tickets … and a dedicated, clean washroom to go to!
Now to be fair, my daughter is also going but she and her friend asked for Gold Tickets (which cost only Rs. 3,000) so she can stand right in front of the stage and soak up the energy from ground zero. So maybe it’s an age thing? Well, at the end of the day who cares! There is something for everyone and Guns N’ Roses is going to be AMAZING. I’ve been watching videos from their 2012 tour up ‘til now – many of which were sold out shows – and they rocked! The guys will be playing for three straight hours here at each of the shows in India, which is unheard of nowadays. And they are all genuinely jazzed to be coming to India, a dream for a few of them according to the press release I read. Guitarist Dj Ashba is quoted as saying, “I am looking forward to performing for the beautiful people of India! This has been a lifetime dream of mine. Together we are going to create a party that people will talk about for years to come!” Man, I hope so!!!
The guys at Mooz are starting to run contests now for free CDs, t-shirts and … FREE TICKETS … both on Facebook and Twitter (@GNRIndia and the official hash tag is #GNRIndia) ! So do LIKE the official Guns N’ Roses India Tour 2012 Facebook page for all the contest info, pre-party invites and band updates.
See you at the concert! I’ll be the one pretending I’m 16 again in a ripped up t-shirt and a headband loving Guns N’ Roses for the first time … again!
XOXO Angela
© 2012 Angela Carson
Hey Angela,
I am soooooo freak’n jealous that you are going to see these guys. Though I should say when I saw them at Madison Square Garden a few years ago, I felt they were not the same GNR that I grew up listening to with Slash not being in the group. But none the less would definitely would have loved to see them again.
Not sure if you knew, but they are doing a 4 week tour in Vegas before they head to India. Also, they got some negative press here with their publicity poster and what it depicted a few days ago.
Check out this article in the Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/guns-n-roses-poster-las-vegas-criticism_n_2050548.html
I did not pay too much attention to the publicity poster but when I read the article it kind of made me feel not so good about what the poster was depicting. But that’s GNR I guess, always controversial as ever.
Oh!!! and don’t forget that hair spray, you definitely have to frizz it up to go with that ripped up t-shirt and headband :). Have fun and still jealous 🙁
Hi Angela,
I was as excited as you when I got tickets to the GN’R concert in Toronto 2 years ago. They were late by 2.5 hours (practising Indian standard time!!!!) and not a single word of apology! Check out this newspaper article – http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/columnists/jane_stevenson/2010/01/29/12657846-sun.html
I hope they are not stupid enough to show up 2.5 hours late in India. Well actually I hope they do – and the Indian crowd can give them a nice welcome 🙂 stay safe!!
I’m all jazzed up and love the communication from the band about the upcoming tour — they all seem so genuinely excited and respectful. Check out the Facebook page, there are quotes from the band showing up periodically ::: http://www.facebook.com/GNRIndia I’m staying positive 🙂 Wish us luck!!! -angela
GnR.. Epic..Have a r(kn)ocking night in Bangalore Angie.. 🙂
Ohhhhh I will. I’m supporting the company bringing them here with the social media and setting up their blogger community for them too as well as promoting pre-parties and a few other bits and bobs, so I am SO gonna rock it! Already exchanged messages with one band member too 🙂 Fun fun –ange
I already see your support for promotions and I can feel how much you are enjoying that .. 🙂 You rock.. m/