KEY POINTS:
After nearly 15 years, American hard rock band Guns N' Roses will return to the stage in New Zealand next week.
The reformed group has already played three sell-out shows in Australia, and extended their three-date New Zealand tour to include a gig in Christchurch as well as Auckland.
Over 15,000 fans packed a sold-out Burswood Dome in Perth last week to see the first show of Guns N' Roses' 2007 run through Australia. And according to reports, Aussie fans positively lapped up the GNR's exuberant production with deafening cheers and rave reviews.
Legendary front man Axl Rose, who virtually became a recluse after selling hundreds of millions of albums during the 1990s, is said to be back on top form and has lost none if his fiery stage presence.
NZ Herald entertainment writer Scott Kara was in Melbourne for the band's show and says Axl can still pull off a great performance.
"The distinct voice of Axl Rose is still well and truly intact" he said.
"He didn't miss a note last Friday night at Mebourne's Rod Laver Arena, not even the high ones in Sweet Child O' Mine.
"Axl may be the only original member of the Gunners still in the band but the old songs sound great and okay, to be honest, the new songs are a little cringey. But you'll know where you are next week, you'll be in the jungle baby."
GNR's 2007 World Tour kicked off in Mexico earlier this month, and has suffered delays because of an injury to bassist Tommy Stinton's left wrist.
So what can fans expect when the rockers roll in to town?
If previous gigs are anything to go by, fans can expect a show that extends to more than two hours.
The set list, which has remained fairly consistent throughout all of the shows, also includes all of Guns N' Roses' biggest hits. (for the set list from Melbourne's show, see below)
Crowd-pleasing gems such as Welcome to The Jungle, Sweet Child O' Mine, and Live and Let Die all get a much-deserved airing on this tour. And to whet fans' appetite further, new songs from the band's (supposedly) forthcoming album Chinese Democracy, including Madagascar, IRS, and Better will also be showcased for the first time.
Rose, the only remaining member of the band's original line-up, has been working on new music material for a number of years, and anticipation is high.
Guns N' Roses will play the Vector Arena, Auckland, on June 29 & 30, and the Westpac Arena, Christchurch on July 3.
Following their New Zealand stint, the band head to Japan for a series of rescheduled concerts.
* For Scott Kara's full review of Guns N' Roses show in Melbourne, see the TimeOut magazine in Thursday's NZ Herald.
Set list
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Friday 15th June
Welcome To The Jungle
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Live And Let Die
Sweet Child O' Mine
Better
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
You Could Be Mine
The Blues
Out Ta Get Me
November Rain
I.R.S.
My Michelle (with Sebastian Bach)
Liquor & Whores
Patience
Night Train
Chinese Democracy
Madagascar
Paradise City
