Guns N’ Roses are gearing up for an exhilarating world tour in 2025, promising fans an extraordinary rock ‘n’ roll experience that is sure to be unforgettable. The anticipation surrounding their return is palpable, as they prepare to deliver another breathtaking spectacle that showcases their iconic sound and dynamic stage presence.

However, there is a growing sentiment that their performances may be a bit too extravagant.

The legendary rock band has never shied away from embracing extravagance in all aspects of their music and performances. In recent years, this has translated into live shows that often stretch to nearly three hours in length. While longer shows can be a treat for fans, the setlist has remained largely unchanged since the inception of their Not in This Lifetime … reunion tour nearly a decade ago. Although they’ve added some new songs to their repertoire, the core setlist has remained static, leaving some fans craving a fresh experience.

This consistency has led to a sense of restlessness among devoted followers who have attended multiple concerts in recent years. Many of our UCR writers have expressed a desire for a shift in the setlist for the 2025 tour, proposing the removal of five (or more) songs in favor of introducing less frequently played tracks that could rejuvenate the live experience.

Here are their insightful suggestions.

Bryan Rolli: It’s widely known around the proverbial UCR water cooler that I hold a strong allegiance to GN’R. There are very few songs that I wouldn’t be excited to see live. However, the band’s reliance on cover songs has been a recurring issue. While their performances of Velvet Revolver’s “Slither” and Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” were heartfelt, they have lost their novelty over time. Furthermore, I believe Duff McKagan’s solo segment could be better utilized than with a punk cover like the Stooges’ “T.V. Eye.” As for “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” I would welcome a hiatus from hearing that one again. While the chances of them dropping it are slim, stranger things have certainly occurred in the world of rock.

Regarding original tracks, the excitement of new music has faded, and it feels appropriate to say that “Absurd” ranks among the lesser works of Guns N’ Roses. I would advocate for its removal alongside “Perhaps.” Additionally, I sincerely hope “The General” doesn’t become a regular feature in their setlist. Though I have a deep appreciation for “Rocket Queen,” their lengthy, 12-minute live renditions have been played enough times to last a lifetime.

Now, let’s explore some exciting possibilities. McKagan has been incorporating “Dust N’ Bones” into his solo performances lately, and it would be a fantastic addition to Guns N’ Roses’ set. They could also replace a traditional number with another acoustic piece, such as “You Ain’t the First.” In 2021, “Dead Horse” was surprisingly removed from their set just when it started gaining traction; it certainly deserves more spotlight in 2025. Additionally, “Locomotive” could cater to fans who love “Rocket Queen.” Lastly, if they feel compelled to add another cover, a tribute to the recently retired Aerosmith by performing “Mama Kin” from GN’R Lies would be a fitting choice.

Listen to Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Dust N’ Bones’

Matt Wardlaw: It’s clear that we have some challenging tasks here at UCR, right? I’m the one designated to relay our proposed song cuts to Axl Rose. The simplest choices to consider eliminating would likely be some of the cover songs, but that feels a bit too straightforward. To kick things off, I would suggest removing their rendition of Velvet Revolver’s “Slither” and instead reintroducing the fan-favorite “Out Ta Get Me,” which has been surprisingly absent since late 2017. I also propose swapping “Estranged,” a fairly consistent choice, for the more sporadic “Yesterdays.” While it’s fantastic they’ve included new material like “Hard Skool” and “Absurd,” I think we could replace the latter with “Shadow of Your Love.” Admittedly, “Shadow” received some good stage time in 2022, but I missed it, so this is a personal request.

For cover songs, I suggest we remove “Wichita Lineman” and replace it with a real rarity right before the set-closing “Nightrain,” perhaps their Spaghetti Incident?-era take on Nazareth’s “Hair of the Dog.” This could add an exhilarating twist to the show and energize the crowd as they approach the encore. As my final change, let’s eliminate “Anything Goes” and, in the spirit of flexibility, I propose we replace it with either “Oh My God” or “Perfect Crime.” Thank you for considering these suggestions — I look forward to seeing everyone out there right next door to hell.

Listen to Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Hair of the Dog’

Matthew Wilkening: You can call me old or whatever you like, but I firmly believe that a concert lasting two hours and 40 minutes is excessive. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Guns N’ Roses perform half a dozen times since their reunion in 2016, and with each passing show, the setlists have become longer, leading to a noticeable dip in pacing, especially in the middle of the performance. More importantly, aside from a few new covers and singles like “Absurd” and “Hard Skool,” the setlists have largely remained static, featuring the same 20 songs in nearly the same order. It’s high time for a significant change. Although it may seem counterintuitive, I advocate for a shorter, more dynamic set.

Taking into consideration their 28-song set list from their most recent concert on November 5, 2023, in Toluca, Mexico, I suggest removing 10 songs and replacing them with five fresh options. Out of the mix should go: “Bad Obsession,” “Chinese Democracy,” “Slither,” “Pretty Tied Up,” “Absurd,” “Perhaps,” “The General,” “Civil War,” “Anything Goes,” and “Coma.” In their place, let’s welcome “Locomotive,” “Out Ta Get Me,” “Sorry” (undoubtedly the standout track from Chinese Democracy), “Right Next Door to Hell,” and perhaps an occasional Aerosmith or AC/DC cover to keep the excitement alive.

Listen to Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Sorry’