April 30, 2005 - Auburn Hills, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills

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General Information

Date: April 30, 2005
Location: Auburn Hills, MI
Venue: Palace of Auburn Hills; 5 Championship Dr; Auburn Hills, MI 48326 [ Venue website ]
Box Office Number: (248) 377-8601
Additional Info: Special Guests were Hoobastank.

Thanks to Russ 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
• Wish You Were Here
• You Got No Right
• Mr. Brownstone
• Slither

Reviews (25) [ send in your own review/pictures of the Auburn Hills show ]

Thanks to Pat: I've been to a lot of concerts that have been through Detroit but Velvet Revolver was the best fuckin show I've ever seen. A lot of bands come out and hide their crap music with a big stage show but not this one. They came, threw with the attitude of here's our music if you don't like it that's your choice. Every song from there opening Sucker Train Blues to Slither just rocked the fucking place. Like I said before they are one of the greatest band to walk the face of the earth. KEEP ON GIVIN US THAT ROCKEN FUCKIN ROLL!

Thanks to Zach: Out of all the great moments during this phenomenal concert, one will always stand out as the best. The moment at the end of Sex Type Thing when Scott Weiland jumped off the stage, ran to the back of the Palace and ran up the stairs right next to my seat, allowing me the chance to touch him. TWICE!

Thanks to Jesika: The show was completely awsome! Scott actually came up into the crowd. I got to touch his left shoulder! I mostly wanted to see Matt because I am in love with Matt's drumming skills. But now I am in love with the whole band! I already have my tickets in the front row for the concert in August I can't wait!

Thanks to Dave C: Let me tell you a story about a night to remember at the Palace. About 8 years ago I went to an Aerosmith show there. In the brew line I made my way up to the counter. As I started to speak, the lights went out on the floor - YES! Then two old women jumped up on the counter top & pulled down this chain fence. SORRY - no brew for you. It was 8:45pm. Fast forward to 4/30/05. After an awesome pre-party we are back! This time we pick up wristbands for our entrance to the gen adm floor. Hey I'm old enough to remember the Cincy eleven so you got to be careful right? We mosey down for the opening act. I learned the Finnish word "Hooba" means "We really"... At intermission I head upstairs for some brew - hey look still open this time. Figured the management had learned that the rock crowds remain thirsty after 8:45. Carry back my two large brew down the stairs, flash the wristband....SORRY - no brew allowed on the floor. The Palace struck again. I went to Plan B & enjoyed Velvet Revolver in the stands with some good folk from the land of Kentucky - yee ha ! Excellent sound, stage presence, bullhorn - only about (2) songs short like their previous shows at the State & the Emerald. I SURRENDER ! Can't wait tho to head up to the Golden Eagle in August - see you rockers & babes up there...

Thanks to Nykkie: I'll keep it short and sweet. Awesome show, even in the nosebleeds so many stoned and drunk people, a minature downside. Velvet Revolver is totally worth $45.00. I'll definately see them again I hope!!! Slash kicked fuckin ass....Scott kicked ass....Duff is awesome....Dave shredded and Matt played his fuckin heart out....

Thanks to Shelly: I was alive and aware when Guns n' Roses were around. I fell in love with STP when Core was released. I've followed the rise and fall of both bands. It was truly a treat to see Velvet Revolver come together so perfectly on the evening of April 30. Going in to it, I wanted to hear the band do all their songs--and most all of them they did! I was impressed that they covered so many STP and GNR songs, too. When Sex Type Thing was wrapping up, the band extended it and Weiland jumped off the stage and waded through the masses of people to the back of the Palace. It was an incredible moment. It made me wish I had THOSE tickets and not my own.

I think the real highlight came when the band covered Wish You Were Here. I know that they had been working on something new and special. I think it was this Pink Floyd classic. They were so lovely and wonderful and perfect. The song was somewhat abbreviated but the fact remains that it was still done masterfully.

Velvet Revolver proved to be an outstanding show. I can't imagine having missed out on this opportunity to see some living rock n' roll greats return to the stage.

Thanks to Mercedes: Oh my god they were great!!! I was there celebrating my 13th birthday with my 2 friends, my mom and my aunt. Until when Sex Type Thing started playing Scott came up to our row and my mom freaked out because she touched him. I have to say that is the best concert I have been to and it was the best present I could ever have.

Thanks to Hitdog: First off, it was very odd getting used to a "sober" Weiland on stage. His antics were not as exaggerated as in the past. That being said, it was a great show. We drove up from Columbus (before they announced the Columbus date), and hit our normal spot in Romulus first (the landing strip... best club in america).

The show sounded very tight with a few exceptions. The GNR drummer stinks, and he brings the band down. Backup vocals also were not that great, but I paid to see Weiland, and I got my money's worth.

Weiland was very good... Crackerman was the best performed song of the night. I'll probably go see them again in Columbus, but my eventual hope is for STP to get back together next year. They are a much tighter band than Velvet Revolver.

Thanks to Dan: The show was insane! I never have had such a great time at a concert, but then again, it is fucking Velvet Revolver! Hoobastank opened, and no one was jamming out to them, but when Velvet Revolver came out, everyone was on their feet. Insane light and video show, but all of the attention was directed torwards the stage. During either "Sex Type Thing" or the tune after that, Scott came up through the aisles and was singing there, he was only 5 feet away from me, but everyone respected his space, even though we surrounded him and sang along. They finished of with "Slither" and everyone was still jammin out, even when it was over.

Thanks to Bill: Front Row baby!! This show was amazing, I almost shit my pants when Slash came out. I will never forget that show. In fact I'm still wearing the wristband I got from being in the pit.

Thanks to Mandy: I had the honor of being 2nd row/center from the stage, I have been to many of concerts but this one takes the cake. I'm not sure where the blood on the back of my t-shirt came from and I'm not sure how my glasses got broke, but it f'n rocked. It was a god-like experience when Scott came on the stage. I will forever have the image burned in my brain of the bright lights, Scott's silver holographic vinyl pants, aviator hat and sunglasses. I have never been so overwhelmed by a musicians presence as I was that night. If you're thinking about going to the concert, just do it, make sure you get up front and stay there. Best cocnert of the year.

Thanks to Will: Great show. My 3rd Velvet Revolver show, and this was the best so far. I saw Velvet Revolver on their first tour at The State, then at Rolling Rock in PA, and then now. I've never seen Slash so 'on'. His solos were tight, and when Dave and him started trading leads back and forth (in one of the ending songs, don't remember which..) it was amazing. Lighting was great, sound was great. I was in front all night. Oh let's not mention DOUBLE NECK GUILD and Wish You were Here! My first time seeing the Guild and I'm pretty lucky I got to see him play it. In the other shows he just used a pedal or it was done at the sound board to modulate the acoustic sound. At the Rolling Rock Town Fair show, I could guess what songs they were going to play, but at this last show, they kept me guessing. There were a few times I got pissed at the "inexperienced" crowd. I say inexperienced because it seemed like a lot of them were at their 1 show of the year. They didn't know any kind of etiquette. And trust me, I love wild crowds...but crowds that know whats up. I've seen a ton of shows, and this one ranks up as one of the highest!!

Thanks to James: Yeah, I was there. I was down the pit, after signing a waiver for my safety. I thought the band sounded great. There were a few squelches from the mics but whatever. The band had tons of energy and really glad to be in Detroit or at least wanted to kick ass on stage. The set list was already posted so I won't go into that to much. The two STP songs they played are great choices and I loved their version of "Mr. Brownstone". I really loved the "illegal I Song" with every band member making some crazy ass noises from the instruments.

I am already getting it organized to see them in August when they come back. They fuckin' rocked.

Thanks to gnrVelvet Revolverrule: I wrote a brief review on the forum, but I'll elaborate more here. Hoobastank came on at eight o'clock sharp and "played music" for 45 minutes. I'll give them credit; they tried, they didn't try to be bigger than they are, and they made some nice references to the upcoming Velvet Revolver. But to me, every song sounded exactly the same, and that is not a good thing. The lead singer's vocals were almost inaudible from where I was near the front of the general admission. Anyway, they left, and we waited about 50 minutes until the real show began...

At around 9:35, after a good portion of Audioslave's first album played, a commercial introduction thing came up on the big screens with Dirty Little Thing playing. Then, the lights went down and the band emerged in the darkness and stood there silent and motionless for about two minutes while some warm-up music was playing in the background. Then, that music ended, and you hear, "Detroit! You wanted the best, well they didn't f*ckin' make it, from Hollywood, Velvet Revolver!" Of course, Sucker Train Blues opened the set as the perfect first song for this band. After this ended, Scott complimented "Detroit Rock City" as being a special place for them to play, then said something like "little ladies", then began Do It For The Kids. The next several songs were great (see setlist), and I was most impressed with Illegal I Song, where Scott's mixing and Slash's guitar talk-box solo was amazing. Fall to Pieces was introduced by Scott after a short speech, and this was a nice slowdown and a chance to breathe a bit.

Next, Duff dedicated Dirty Little Thing to a guy he met before the show that had been through some rough times. This song kicked ass. Then, the pounding bass lines of Big Machine began. Next was a great version of It's So Easy, with Slash nailing the solo. Sex Type Thing was outstanding, as many people have mentioned, Scott went all the way into the back of the crowd and made a speech, before running back while singing "Here I Come..." Slash made a brief introduction to Set Me Free before the band kicked into that, with Dave and Slash trading solos at the end of the song. The band left, then returned for an acoustic encore, which was preceded by Slash throwing his towel in the air and myself getting a full hand on it and being trampled on by about eight people. Unfortunately for me, someone else got it after a long fight with a few others. Wish You Were Here and You Got No Right were both amazing and offered a nice softer side to the show. Another encore then began after the band left the stage...

Matt came running out from the side and began a drum solo similar to the Tokyo one from the 1992 DVDs. The You Could Be Mine intro was great, but I knew he wouldn't play the whole song. Mr. Brownstone followed, and a moving and energetic version of Slither closed the set. I almost got Slash's pick near the end of the show as well. Overall, a phenomenal show, much better than the first time I had seen them, which was a damn good show in its own right. The only complaints would be the low sound of Dave's guitar; it was probably because I was near the right side of the stage, but I could hardly hear it. Scott's vocals were a bit slow at times, but other than this, the show was virtually flawless. The crowd was outstanding, jumping up and down and singing along virtually the entire show. They were happy to be there the other night, and we'd be more than happy to have them back, especially after another great album.

Thanks to Ron: This show kicked major ass. Like everyone who has posted on here has said, IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THESE GUYS YOU HAVE TO!!! I drove over 250 miles to see this concert and it was well worth it. I saw them in Cincinnati in November. I remember walking out of that show thinking damn, I wish I would've seen the original Guns N' Roses. After watching the Detroit show, Axl rose can keep his Gun N' Roses for good, because Velvet Revolver is here to stay and kick ass in the process. They put out so much energy. You can really tell these guys enjoy playing. At the end of "Sex Type Thing", Scott walked all the way back to the end of the arena and walked into the stands and started talking about Rock N' Roll. Scott's stage precense is about as good as Rock N' Roll gets and he looks great. Some people have been complaining from other shows that the sound is too high and they had problems hearing Scott's vocals. Not at this show. The sound was awesome. Slash's solos were out of this world. The set list was the same as in the other shows, including "Wish You were Here" instead of "Used to Love Her". I guess it was better to play a cover song instead of playing a 3rd GN'R song since they do they 2 STP songs. Only fitting to make it equal. I really liked hearing Scott sing "It's So Easy". It sounded like the real thing on Appetite, not the watered down version Axl sings live. There were people actually saying "Fuck Axl" in the crowd. I have to agree with them, to get rid of Duff, Slash and Matt is like saying no to sex for the rest of your life, what an idiot. Songs that stand out were: It's So Easy, Fall to Pieces, You Got No Right (Scott really shined) and a longer version of Slither. What a great concert.

The only drawback was having to wait over an hour for them to come on stage. The crowd got a little antsy. And when people have been drinking and are impatient guess what happens? We saw a fight break out in front of us. This fat drunk chick wouldn't let these 2 chicks in front of her and she kept pushing them away with her big butt. Before you know it there was a fight and it was extremely unnecessary. Some people do really stupid crap when they drink. It didn't have to happen. This happened 5 minutes before Velvet Revolver came on so maybe if they came on sooner it wouldn't have happened. Scott, Duff, Slash, and even Matt had the main attention all night. Dave is great, but he doesn't try to stand out like the rest of the band. I guess that's just his personality, nothing against that. You have to see this band. I'd drive another 250 miles next weekend if they were coming that close. I'll have to wait until August for my next Velvet Revolver show, can't wait.

Thanks to Alex: Fucking greatest show I've ever been to. There was so much energy from the crowd it was incredible. Hoobastank wasn't that great it was kinda funny because the hoobastank guitar player maybe knew 3 power chords. But anyways Scott jumped off stage and came to where me and my buddy were sitting he was fuckin right next to me! And he sang next to us for a while! It was unbelievable. Slash was of course amazing. The whole band rocked. Best concert of my life.

Thanks to Nicky: This concert was awesome it has been the best one I have been to yet. Scott went into the very back of the venue to the very top of the place and sang from there. Also when Velvet Revolver played Wish You Were Here was the best!

Thanks to Rainman: Show was really good, but had a small sound problem with the vocals for about two songs towards the beginning and then it cleared up. Very loud and loved it. The 'Velvet Revolver' stage lights that expose themselves during 'Fall to Pieces' are pretty cool. I would have liked a bigger stage like old or new GN'R, but the show overall really rocked. Scott does put on a good show and we already know that the rest of the guys did and do, except for maybe Dave. Dave does play rhythm pretty good. No Izzy or Richard Fortus though...Scott went up and sat with the crowd in the nose bleed seats during 'Sex-Type Thing'. The crowd really seemed to get into 'Mr. Brownstone' and 'It's so Easy'. The set list is the same I have seen posted. They still put on a really good show. I would definately go see the show again!

Thanks to David: This was my first Velvet Revolver concert. It was the most amazing, jaw dropping and astonishing thing I've ever seen. The band is definatly worth seeing. I have a completly different view toward the band. I went only to see Slash, but now I would show up to see everyone again and again until I run outta money. And by the way- Hoobastank opened and sucked.

Thanks to Thaddeus S. Kaczor, Jr.: : Awesome show. Sonically overwhelming by well-mixed. The band was on top of their game and Scott had the audience in the palm of his hand.

Thanks to Erica: "Just be chill. You respect me. I'll respect you"

These are the words of the lovely, tight low rise silver pants wearing Scott Weiland as he jumps off the stage, around the GA section, runs to the back rows of the Palace and up the many stairs leading to the second ring of seats. It only took those three simple sentences (and a few security guards) for the crazy fans to part like the Red Sea and allow our frontman, surrounded by the mass of fans, to chant out the appropriate climax to "Sex Type Thing":

"Here I Come, I Come, I Come, I Come....." In fact, I almost did. What can I say, they don't call us Detroit Rock City for nothing.

April 30, 2005 will go down as one of the greatest nights of my life. The band was absolutely brilliant. That night, I truely was in the presence of greatness. Being only 18, I never got a chance to see Guns N' Roses or STP. I wasn't even a year old when "Appetite" was released. As loopy as it sounds, it's like one of my biggest wishes of seeing GNR or STP came true.

As soon as the lights went out and the opening notes of "Sucker Train Blues" sounded, there was not a single person on their ass for the rest of the night. Slash looked and played like a god, as usual, making his guitar scream and cry the way I wish he would make scream and cry. (If only he wasn't married with children) Duff was on the money the entire night. As I write this, the bass line to "Big Machine" is still thumping in my head. I absolutely adored Dave. When I listened to "Contraband" the day it was released, the first thing I noticed was how well Dave complements Slash. Hearing it live, it sounded even more crisp. Matt, like Duff, was nothing short of perfect. I don't think I'll get the intro to "Mr. Brownstone" out of my head for weeks.

While as a result of a beer buzz and my friends and I being constanly hit on by the row of guys behind us , I'm not sure of the exact set list. I'm sure someone will come up with it. However, if the beer was flowing in other sections the way it was in the section I was in, I think the only people to recall the exact set list will be the band. Needless to say, it was a night full of memories. I can't wait until the August 11th show in Mt. Pleasant. Who knows what events will unfold that night.

Thanks to Dave: Phenomenal show. Rock legends, wailing guitars, top hats, bullhorns, Pilot hat/Germanic garb, awesome Contraband and cover songs. I can't think of any new band out there that can even come close to Velvet Revolver's talent. Scott Weiland backed by Guns N Roses = Awesome. The crowd was hysterical when the lights went down and the announcer said "From Hollywood, Velvet Revolver!!!!". Duff took center stage and started to jam the cool opening for Sucker Train Blues. Do it for the kids was next, then Headspace, Dirty little thing, Superhuman, Big Machine, Crackerman, It's so Easy, Illegal I, Fall to Pieces, Sex Type Thing, Set me Free, Wish you were here, You got no right, You could me mine intro, Mr Brownstone, Slither. It was a moving performance of Wish you were here. As Slash played the song on his double-necked guitar, Scott was kept saying and pointing to Slash, "That's beautiful" and it was. The whole crowd was singing along. During Sex Type Thing, Scott jumped into the crowd and walked all the way to the back of the stadium and climbed to the top of the first level and had a few words for the fans. Mr Brownstone was spectacular as always. The extended "Set me Free" was brilliant. Two of the best songs on Contraband, Illegal I and Headspace were fantastic. These 2 songs should be released as singles immediately because they're better than 99% of the songs on the radio. Illegal I's rhythm is truly amazing. Scott jumped on the keyboard, Slash had his talkbox going and it was a mesmerizing experience when during the middle of the song, the music leveled out and Matt and Duff just jammed for about 25 seconds straight. Headspace just totally rocks out. A pleasant surprise was You Got No Right. You appreciate this song so much more live. They should follow it up with Loving the Alien which is a great ballad. The extended intro and ending of Slither was very good. The only drawback of the performance was getting teased by the You could be mine intro by Matt Sorum. Everyone around me erupted when they heard it and then Matt shook his head and went into Mr. Brownstone which was still very cool. Suggestion for Velvet Revolver, just play the whole song of You Could be mine and then Mr. Brownstone. It would so awesome to see the band change up some of the GNR and STP tunes to keep the crowd guessing from night to night. They could also throw in No More No more every once in a while too. Also, it would be great for Scott to introduce the band members and have each of them do solos so people would appreciate each of the band member's skills. If you haven't seen Velvet Revolver live, you must do so. The experience is unreal. I can't wait until the next album and tour.

Thanks to R.T.: AWESOME --- WHAT A GREAT FUCKING SHOW!!! Scott is a true show-man. Velvet Revolver ROCKS!!! A true rock show, what it's all about!

Thanks to Paul Y: Okay...here, tonight in Detroit, we have witnessed a rock n roll spectacle. Scott Weiland walks around a sea of people at the Palace of Auburn Hills and sings in the middle of the crowd! Who else does this? Velvet Revolver that's how. Another fantastic stop on the tour. Added the song Wish You Were Here to the setlist. New from Hamilton Ontario setlist(March 28th/2005)! Didn't play "Used To love her..." didn't care! It was all good! Show was basically the same as the others on the tour give or take a song added/dropped! Still amazes me that the albums been out from almost a year now, and people still don't know the words to all the songs. Contraband rocks from beginning to start. People...dig into it!! Learn those words and understand the tunes! Detroit Rock City...always a great venue for a great rock show. Like the rock show Velvet Revolver put on Saturday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Peace to Scott for letting me reach out and slap his hand tonight as he walk by the crowd up to the top level of the Palace! True Rockstar! True Rockband!

Thanks to McGrice from Rochester Hills: "DETROIT ROCK CITY... LETS ROCKIN' FUCKIN' ROLL!" ... Weiland, Duff, Slash & Co. rolled out 30 mins. later than usual, however, their precision & energy superceded their tardiness. Velvet Revolver rolled out onto a darkened set with the intro to "Sucker Train Blues" playing. The stage lights kicked on and Duff was seen on point ready to set it off. Something seemed extraordinarily different. Weiland, uniquely sober for a change charged out onto the stage in a non-burntout way. For the majority of the set he rocked out with a policeman's beret with a badge in the front. The setlist flowed flawlessly... Scott seemed suprisingly talkative. "You're so pretty" he said. Who or what he was speaking of is irrelevant ... timing is everything and on this night everything "slithered" along seemlessly. This felt like a classic "getaway" concert setlist where the band was on point and played with boundless energy and unparalled enthusiasm. The G-N-R covers were an unexpected treat, as was the Floyd cover. DETROIT ROCK CITY 4 LIFE! GO PISTONS!