February 23, 2005 - Sydney, Australia - Hordern Pavilion

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General Information

Date: February 23, 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Venue: Hordern Pavilion; Fox Studios, Driver Avenue, Moore Park 1; Sydney, Australia [ Venue website ]
Box Office Number: +612 9383 4063
Additional Info: Support Act: The Screaming Jets

Thanks to Alex for the set list!

Set List

• Sucker Train Blues
• Do It For The Kids
• Headspace
• Superhuman
• Crackerman
• Illegal I
• Fall To Pieces
• Dirty Little Thing
• Big Machine
• It's So Easy
• Sex Type Thing
• Set Me Free
• Used to Love Her
• You Got No Right
• Mr. Brownstone
• Slither

Reviews (21) [ send in your own review/pictures of the Sydney show ]

Thanks to Snake Eyes: Having been asked if I wanted to see VR only 2 days before knowing who they were I just had to jump at the chance, if only to see the remnants of GNR. Was overwhelmed with Scott's vocals and thought he did the old gunners songs better than Axl. If and when they come to Manchester, England I will be front and centre. Totally awesome gig, best I have been to.

Thanks to Jeff Fielke, written by Kelsey Munro: Well, goddamn, that was fun. Velvet Revolver (where Guns'n'Roses met Stone Temple Pilots) have a lesson to teach us all about building a supergroup that's more than a parody of its members' former selves.

You've got to (a) kick drugs and keep it lean and mean; (b) abandon every off-stage rock cliche while demonstrating your casual mastery of every on-stage one; and (c) write some respectable songs that neither deny your past nor rip it off shamelessly.

There was Duff McKagan, grandstanding stage centre in impossibly tight black pants (a band prerequisite), flicking his blond hair and flexing his tight, tattooed torso, giving the ladies the emotional effect of somehow straddling his bass.

Then there was Slash, who has been a guitar legend much longer than I've been out of high school. What more do you need? Slash is there, just as he should be, with his crazy hair and virtuoso, upright soloing, dressed exactly the way Slash should dress - all black, chains hanging off leather pants. Later he came out with not only his famous top hat, but - get this - a double-necked guitar!

Then there was singer Scott Weiland, the former STP frontman whose persistent heroin problems and sub-Iggy skinny-arsed showboating have given Velvet Revolver the edge of danger that they probably needed as much as decent new songs to dodge the oldies circuit. He waved a megaphone around to good effect and sung hard beneath his jaunty hat. Within his limited adjectival range ("f---'n" and "motherf---in"'), he repeatedly expressed his gratitude that there were no fights or violence in the jubilant audience - which left one wondering about the sort of crowds Velvet Revolver typically pull in the US.
Matt Sorum, the drummer who was in Guns'n'Roses too, had an excellent, enormous gong behind his kit, which he even hit once. This was, naturally, enough times to justify its presence. Finally there was the other guy, whose name is Dave Kushner. Poor bugger, he was, apparently, in some other band, but because he's the second guitarist in a band with Slash he will always be the Other Guy.

So the band ploughed hyperactively through most of Contraband before delighting with the Gunners' It's So Easy from Appetite for Destruction (1987). Velvet Revolver's biggest hit, power ballad Fall to Pieces, sounded pretty cool, and they slipped in some STP favourites in the encores.

Thanks to Tash Bernard: Velvet Revolver concert was the most amazing, funnest concert I have ever experienced! I have been to many concerts in my life and I say this all the time but I'm dead serious! I made my way to the front row both nights, danced, moshed and sang whilst admiring Scotty and all the awesome guys of Velvet Revolver performance and energy that they made with themselves and the whole Sydney crowd!! You guys rock!! Can't wait for more!! Pleeaase???

Thanks to Daniel: Hmmm....what to say? Firstly, reading the other reviews on this site, I almost think I was at another concert! Scott's voice was not (or nowhere near) perfect and he struggled through a lot of the set. The band was excellent, tight, and highly entertaining. As for Matt's comment about Audioslave, I don't know which night you went, but the whole Hordern was going hard to every song! It was disapppointing to see that everyone's highlights were the gunners stuff....wake up people, this is Velvet Revolver, not GNR, no Matter how much you want it to be. Scott will NEVER scream like Axl. It seemed like through the lesser known Velvet Revolver stuff, some (most?)of the crowd had no idea what it was? And as such, didn't go anywhere near as off for the singles, or the gnr stuff. A generation of single junkies? All in all, money well spent, but a little disappointed with Mr Weiland's vocal performance.

Thanks to Pierce: Was fuckin amazing...I got there heaps early like around 2 and there was only a few people there. But the long wait was well worth it. Got front centre mosh. The mosh was fuckin crazy but...got smashed...couldn't breath...I lost my footing and the next thing I knew I was fuckin crowd surfing! The security guard grabs me and I look up n there's fuckin Slash!

Too many highlights to mention...but Used To Love Her was in a league of its own. Slash's solos were faultless...I remember thinking that this was the best moment of my life...and I stand by that. I'm still on a high from what I witnessed...fuckin powerful ballsy rock n fuckin roll...

Velvet fuckin Revolver..!

Thanks to Harv: I went there expecting a great show; got it. I also went there to take some pics; had a great position near the front. But when the boys came out it was so wild in the crowd (it was wilder than GnR @ Eastern Creek in '93) that I could hardly keep my feet let alone get my camera out. I eventually forced my way over to the side got some good shots (I will send some in). I'll never forget the great music I heard that night when I look at the pics I took, a smile will adorn my face "What a fuckin great night" will be the thought going through my mind. And my '93 GnR tour shirt managed to withstand the night although I noticed a few little rips appearing after this show.

Thanks to Mike: As a 15-year old and one of the youngest in the audience, I can really say that this was the best night of my life. I was born a decade too late to see the Gunners live but I still have all their albums. I'm glad I've realised this early in my life that music like Guns N Roses and Velvet Revolver is the way to live. Fucking awesome show, great atmosphere, Scott was on fire although also seemed extremely relaxed. Duff and Dave were a great bass/rhythm section, pumping up the crowd on either sides of the stage. Duff had a tendency to come right down to the barrier and get really close to the screaming fans. Matt provided us with an awesome solo just before Mr Brownstone started and throughout the show his kit resounded around the pavilion and sounded great.

However the spark of the night was Slash, tearing through his blues based solos like there's no tomorrow. Great show. Velvet Revolver is the way that Rock N Roll is still alive, keeping it real. Enough of that pop bullshit. As Scott said "We could start a revolution right now if we wanted to"

Loved the show. 10/10.

Thanks to Kate Loves Duff!: OMG this was the best night of my life no joke! We got there full on early and ended up being at the very front of the mosh pit which was so good! The Screaming Jets put on a good show...but to be honest they had nothing on Velvet Revolver. Slash was totally awesome and sounded as good as ever. Duff kicked ass and I even got a smile from him when I was on my mates shoulders (and soon after got told to get down by security lol) but it was worth it! Matt was amazing on the drums and Dave was great as well. Scott entertained the audience as he always does, but I wish he had smiled a bit more and cheered up a bit, but he put on a great performance!!!

I almost caught Slash's towel which he threw into the mosh but didn't quite get there. All in all the show was a night to remember and I had an absolute blast. As soon as I got out of there I wanted to do it all over again and I almost conned my parents into letting me go to the 2nd show!!! The hughlights for me where when they played Sex Type Thing, Mr Brownstone, It's So Easy, Fall To Pieces, Set Me Free, but then again Velvet Revolvery song rocked! I would advise Velvet Revolver everyone to go and see a Velvet Revolver concert at some time in there life, because it's the closest your going to get to Guns N Roses. Plus a whole lot more! Those f**kin know how 2 put on a good show. I WANNA GO AGAIN!!!

Add me if your a Velvet Revolver or Guns n Roses or Stone Temple Pilots fan! surfie_chick89@msn.com

Thanks to Adam Burgess: This was THE BEST show I have ever been to and Velvet Revolver aren't even my favourite band. My favourite band is Metallica but these guys totally killed Metallica on stage. Their stage presence is absolutely awesome not to even mention Slash's guitar or Scott's singing. Sucker Train Blues was a terrific opener and was followed greatly by Do It For The Kids.

I've got to say the highlight of the whole show was Mr. Brownstone which was absolutely great!!

When Matt came on stage to do a drum solo some wanker threw something at him which I thought was totally stupid. No one deserves that shit especially when they're in one of the best band of all time.

This concert has to make me rethink who I like better. Metallica or Velvet Revolver.....hhmmmmmm

Thanks to Ally: The best rock show I've ever been to. Scott is a fantastic performer and entertainer, he knows how to work the crowd. They started the show with Sucker Train Blues one of the best songs on Contraband which really got the crowd pumped. There was such a contrast between the performances of Scott and Slash but it worked to their advantage. Slash has this humility about him when he plays whereas Scott writhed and danced all over the stage. Fall To Pieces was spectacular, especially when the huge "Velvet Revolver" lights burst to life during the climax of the song, and Big Machine absolutely went off. All up it was just an amazing show.

Thanks to Elf: FUCKING AWESOME wooooooo Velvet Revolver greatest concert ever, and Scott did a great job singing "Gunners" songs and the other way around for Slash Duff Matt and Dave doing STP songs.

Thanks to Jared: What a show! Revolver went off, I'm sad to say I missed the first song due to the fact that I was trying to stay on my feet when Duff, Scott and Slash came out.

Thanks to Matt: Two days later and I still can't believe I witnessed one of the best super groups of mainstream rock musicians that has ever graced the planet. Audioslave had nothing on these guys.

I must admit, I'm not the greatest Screaming Jets fan, and was quite bored throughout their set, (with the exception of October Grey - nice sing along song). But this only made me savor the moment for when Slash and Duff hit the stage with a full on sonic assault in the form of Sucker Train Blues. I swear Slash looks like he went into frozen cryogenics in the 1980's and has only just stepped out. He looked exactly the same as he did back in the gunners hey day and was bursting with energy.

The only negative thing I would say that degraded the overall experience was the presence of smelly and ignorant under 18 year olds. For the life of me I cannot understand why it was an all ages show...regardless though, bloody excellent gig one which I ain't gonna forget anytime soon.

Personal highlights: Mr. Brownstone, Slashes acoustic solo, Used To Love Her, Slashes personal comments to the crowd.

Question: Does anyone truly believe what Slash said about Sydney being the best audience they have ever played to? Well, who cares, it was entertaining. These guys are at the top of their game and Scott has proven himself to be the perfect Axl Rose replacement. Perhaps even more eccentric. Go see these guys, it's not every week you get to see rock heroes.

Thanks to Srbo: As a big Velvet Revolver fan, I expected the concert to be great. The experience this band has behind them, you knew you were up for a good night; what was unexpected was the energy and youthfullness of this band. The atmosphere was explosive, a powder keg waiting to blow, a train going at 300km/hr and ready to derail. Only it didn't derail. They held it together with the ease of the seasoned musicians they are. The energy was unbeleivable and the power ballad Fall to Pieces really set a standard which was kept up all night. I can honestly say that everyone had a great time. The audience was amazing and the band was even better. Best show ever.

Thanks to Piers: What can I say! Reading the other reviews on this site, I can confirm that Velvet Revolver didn't let themselves down yesterday. I wanted to go back again tonight. Used to Love Her was my pick for the night, Slash showing off his guitar skills. These guys are performers, the whole thing went off without a hitch. Never seen anything quite like it! The Pavilion is small, but they whole production -sound/lights - suited the place. Fantastic.

Thanks to Alex Silady: Probably the best concert I've ever been to. Seeing Slash, Duff & Matt up on stage was so surreal, I've been waiting to see these guys live for over 10 years and they did not disappoint.

I was 2 rows back from the front on Slash's side of the stage and the crowd was absolutely nuts, sweaty people pushing and shoving from everywhere, the entire crowd was so into it. Slash said that this was the best audience Velvet Revolver had played to. He couldn't seem to keep the grin off his face all night as he ran back and forth across the stage.

The whole band was like that too, they all had so much energy and scurried across the stage, making sure that no matter where you were sitting, you got a glimpse of them. Scott talked to the crowd a fair bit too, he said something about dedicating It's So Easy to his wife, but in a jokingly kind of way.

He is an amazing front man too, he definitely knows how to command a crowd and if I had doubts about him fronting Velvet Revolver before, he certainly proved his worth last night. I couldn't believe how tight the band was too, Slash made a few mistakes in a couple of solos, but overall he was amazing.

They played the usual extended versions of songs that have been previously mentioned - Set Me Free, Slither (which sounded like the version played at El Rey before Contraband was released) & Illegal I with Slash's talk box solo. Slash also played some really cool acoustic stuff before going into You Got No Right as well.

Matt did a short drum solo similar to his Tokyo 92 solo, before teasing us with the intro to You Could Be Mine and then heading into Mr Brownstone. Aussie support band The Screaming Jets were great too, they got the crowd pretty fired up, playing a few hits along with lesser known tracks. They're probably the best band to have playing as warm-up for Velvet Revolver.

Overall, the performance was nothing short of amazing, I can't wait to see the band again tonight!

Thanks to Wesley: HOLY SH!T. Without a doubt this was the best gig I have been to. I have been waiting to see Scott Weiland for over 10 years down here in Aus and the wait was worth it. I was in the mosh pit for the show until the first encore. 5 rows from the front for most of the show and 3 for Crackerman. Having heard different live recordings I was worried Scott's voice wouldn't hold up but he didn't miss a beat. I was truly blown away by all the Contraband songs with STB, Big Machine and Slither being highlights. The covers were amazing as well, seeing Scott singing Crackerman and Sex Type Thing with Slash and Duff was almost spiritual for me being a looong time STP fan but I enjoyed the GnR covers as much Mr Brownstone was AWESOME.

All in all I couldn't have asked for more.

Thanks to Reevesy: The lights went down and the amps got turned up as Velvet Revolver launched into their opening call to arms 'Sucker Train Blues'. In a Matter of seconds the crowd erupted into seething mass of energy who were letting it all out after being starved of any real good rock n roll for years. Scott scaled the foldbacks, screaming through his megaphone and moving with an athleticism that defies his razor thin frame. He didn't seem to run out of juice the entire show (though I did see him scrambling through lyrics sheets in between songs at the side of the stage, it a lot to remember!). Ditto the now supremely fit Duff McKagan, hammering out his powering trademark raunch and generally appearing to be enjoying every second of being back in the saddle so the speak. The first few songs were Velvet Revolver originals, though it was obvious that the crowd was salivating for a bit of Gunners nostalga. Big Machine, Superhuman, Dirty Little Thing and Do it For the Kids were a few early entries that I can recall in amougst all the bourbon soaked fun and there was even a song that didn't feature on Contraband (think its on the Australian tour edition CD, sucked in rest of the world!). Lighters came out in Fall to Pieces (even through the bouncer in the front row grabbed mine off me!) and the slower tempo was perfect for giving the crowd a needed rest. A lot of veteran Guns/STP fans were swept away by the new generation- those too young to see Gunners back in the day but foaming at the mouth for rock. The mosh pit wasn't huge but was quite intense in the middle and there were a few casualties when the new generation decided to start a nice violent circle pit. Surprisingly there were very few fights despite all the aggression, as Scott remarked as proof that rock n roll is good for people. Slash was the standout performer but he added his improvisations and god like finger work with typical understatement. I guess when your that good you don't have to draw attention to yourself. Kushner provides the perfect compliment to Slash's playing and he really is what makes Velvet Revolver special. He has the harder, faster style, probably from his days in Suicidal Tendencies that really contrasts to the stuff Izzy or Gilby would play. They obviously remarked that Sydney was the best gig they have ever played but even the band seemed a little blown away by the intensity of the crowd. Slash got up on the mic early and urged the crowd to look after each other and try not to cause too many injuries, maybe he's just too experienced to chance bad shit happening. The second half of the show was really marked by It's So Easy, to a maddening response from the crowd, immedietly followed by Sex Type Thing. Sydney was treated to two encores, in the first Slash returned to the stage with his trademark double guitar and top hat (he must have bought a new one?) and we were treated to You Got No Right and Used to Love Her, another lighters in the air sing along. Second encore began with a powerful Matt Sorum drum solo where he teased the crowd with the intro to You Could Be Mine before launching into Mr Brownstone. The atmosphere couldn't have been more electric as the band finished up with Slither. All that was left was to raid the merch stand, get in that last beer then watch my friend punch the bus driver before we even got on the bus back to the city!

Thanks to Al: Well, what can I say? Best show ever and I've been to lots so fucking loud I'm off to get my hearing checked, I feel like I've had a stroke. But I kinda like it and today, I got up around 7, and got out of bed round 9 and I give this show about 10.

Thanks to Brett: The best show I have ever seen, the boys were excellent, great selection of songs. Go and see them you will not be dissapointed.

Thanks to Ian: The last time I was in the same room as Scott Weiland, STP were playing the Brixton Academy, London and I was a little taken a back when he muttered something about the pleasure of "having a big cock up his ass". Each to his own I say but regardless of his past proclivities he was fuckin' brilliant last night. Haven't got a monkey's what the set list was (How does anyone remember? I guess you have to take notes which is a bit difficult when you're busy enjoying yourself). Sex Type Thing was in there, most of the Velvet Revolver stuff, Mr Brownstone and a special treat for all the gunners, Used to love her. Anyway, in these difficult times when most of our hero's, sportstars, filmstars etc, are overpaid yet underdeliver and flaunt their stupidity on a regular basis its so refreshing to see a bunch of guys on top of their game giving it all they've got night after night. Rock and fuckin' roll!

Oh yeah, and Kevin in NZ, if you're reading buddy you need to drink a special toast next Anzac day because it's the guys you're drinking to who prevented the bus drivers in NZ wearing hats like Scott's. Geez.