In 2009, Michael Jackson’s death stunned the world, Lady Gaga topped charts with “Poker Face,” Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” video was in heavy rotation, and Kanye West infamously interrupted Taylor Swift at the VMAs.
It was also the first and only time Guns N' Roses performed in South Korea - until last week.
In 2009 Guns had been together for 24 years before they blessed the 6,000 fans at the Olympic Gymnasium at Olympic Park with their latest record, Chinese Democracy.
Now 16 years later, the rockers returned Thursday (5/1) with some special treats at the Songdo Moonlight Festival Park.
The first was the band was debuting their new drummer, Isaac Carpenter, formerly of AWOLNATION, who bashed about beautifully and with no shirt.
Carpenter replaced Frank Ferrer, who had been the group's longest-serving drummer, having logged in 19 years of seeing the back of Axl's head, Slash's top hat, and Duff's blonde locks.
Carpenter led the band through 22 songs in what was the kickoff of the longest-named tour of the year: Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things Tour.
To celebrate both another year of rock and their new beatmaster, the LA legends began the show in an usual way. Instead of opening the spectacle with the Appetite for Destruction banger, “It’s So Easy,” the band blasted off with a bigger hit from that bad boy, “Welcome to the Jungle.”
This marked the first change in the show opener since 2014.
In 2012 "Welcome to the Jungle” became the set opener where it remained for just two years.
While "It's So Easy" is a great tune, why wouldn't anyone want the lights to dim and hear that iconic riff from "Welcome to the Jungle” and drum build up to get the party started?
"It's So Easy," which the group has now performed 900 times, was demoted to 14th in the setlist, between the Bob Dylan cover of "Knockin On Heaven's Door" (which they've played 934 times) and another Appetite banger, "Rocket Queen."
No one asked me, but this is a stronger setlist. But will it last?
Believe it or not, but this was the first time that Korean audiences got to see Axl, Slash and Duff on the same stage for Guns N' Roses.
In 2009, the GNR lineup was comprised of Axl on vox; DJ Ashba, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, and Richard Fortus on guitars; former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson; the aforementioned Ferrer on drums; and Dizzy Reed alongside Chris Pitman on keyboards.
On this tour you can expect to see Axl, Slash, Duff, Dizzy, Fortus and Isaac along side Melissa Reese who fills up the sound on keyboards and provides backing vocals.
Last year the '80s stalwarts performed 50 gigs including two at the Hollywood Bowl. The year before they knocked out 47. With Axl proving to be a spry 63 years-old and Slash poised to celebrate his 60th trip around the sun this summer, the 50-show annual goal seems to be reasonable for both physical and emotion reasons.
This summer they've booked over two dozen more concerts around the world with stops in Europe, the Middle East, and the UK. And best of all their opening acts are worth getting to the venue early for: Public Enemy, Sex Pistols, and Rival Sons (depending on the gig).
One can only expect a North American arena tour in the fall to fill up their dance card. But then again, What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things.
Get your tickets on the Guns N' Roses website.
