Guns N’ Roses in Mumbai: A Scorching Night of Rock ‘n’ Roll Redemption

Debarup MukherjeeMay 20, 2025EventsRock Concert

For years, Mumbai’s rock fans have been fueled by “what-ifs” and grainy bootlegs. The last time the GNR circus rolled into town in 2012, Slash and Duff were missing from the equation. But last Saturday / May 17, 2025 at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, the “Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things” tour finally delivered the real deal.

The Chaos Before the Calm

In true Mumbai fashion, the experience began with a literal trek. Fans reported walking nearly four kilometers through Mahalaxmi’s bottlenecked approaches just to hit the security gates. The management was, predictably, a bit of a nightmare—bottlenecked entries and chaotic bars—but once the local heroes Girish and The Chronicles tore into their opening set, the frustration started to melt into adrenaline.

Welcome to the Jungle

At 7:15 PM, the screens flickered to life, and that unmistakable, menacing riff of “Welcome to the Jungle” shattered the humid night air. Axl Rose, sporting his signature bandana and a series of rapid-fire wardrobe changes, might not hit every high note like it’s 1987, but the grit and intent were undeniable.

The real magic, however, lived in the chemistry between the “Big Three.” Watching Slash—top hat firmly in place—and Duff McKagan lock in was a reminder of why this band defines an era. Slash’s solo during “Estranged” wasn’t just a technical display; it was a soul-stirring highlight that proved why he remains the ultimate guitar hero.

The Setlist: A 3-Hour Marathon

The band didn’t hold back, delivering a mammoth 28-song set that spanned nearly three hours.

The Deep Cuts: Surprising tour debuts like “Locomotive” and “Pretty Tied Up” kept the die-hards happy.
The Anthems: When the piano was rolled out for “November Rain,” thousands of phone torches lit up the racecourse in a moment of pure, cinematic nostalgia.
The Energy: High-octane rockers like “You Could Be Mine” and their cover of Velvet Revolver’s “Slither” kept the pit moving despite the heat.

By the time the final cannons blasted confetti during “Paradise City,” the organizational hiccups were forgotten. Axl’s voice may be weathered, and the walk to the venue may have been long, but for a city that has waited over a decade to see the “classic” trio together, it was a night of total redemption.

Guns N’ Roses didn’t just play a concert; they reclaimed their throne in the heart of Mumbai.