Guns N’ Roses to headline Coachella Festival
American rock titans GUNS N’ ROSES have been confirmed as one of the headliners for this year’s Coachella Festival!
After much speculation, it was confirmed this morning that GUNS N’ ROSES would be joining the bill for two performances at the California festival, and that they’d be reuniting with some of the band’s classic lineup to do so. Vocalist Axl Rose broke the news to fans on Twitter, saying:
Ok,ok… 🙄It's "confirmed!" Guns N' Roses is Headlining Coachella 2016!! 🍾🎉📰🌋🎯🎤🎛📡😎 See Everyone There!! ❤️😎
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) January 5, 2016
Little is known about the reunion, aside from the fact that guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan will be joining Rose for the shows – marking the first time the trio will have played together on-stage since July 17th 1993, when the band performed at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires. McKagan and Rose last shared a stage in May 2014, when the bassist was drafted to fill-in for then-current bassist Tommy Stinson.
iiii]; )' https://t.co/ux5CgVoNN4
— Slash (@Slash) January 5, 2016
— Duff McKagan (@DuffMcKagan) January 5, 2016
It was previously suggested that the reunion may also include former rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin and drummers Steven Adler and Matt Sorum, however nothing has been confirmed so far. Consequence of Sound reports that second drummer Matt Sorum has already agreed to perform, however, current rumours suggest that the vacant positions may, in fact, be filled by Richard Fortus and Frank Ferrer, who were part of the band’s Chinese Democracy-era lineup.
GUNS N’ ROSES join fellow headliners LCD SOUNDSYSTEM and CALVIN HARRIS at the event, which is also set to feature the likes of RANCID, DEAFHEAVEN, ICE CUBE, CHVRCHES and THE KILLS across its eclectic lineup.
No further dates have been announced yet, but U.S. music industry magazine Billboard reports that the band are in negotiations to do a 25-date football stadium tour in North America next summer for which they’re asking $3 million per show. The most expensive tickets for these shows would apparently be sold at between $250 and $275.
Coachella 2016 will take place on April 15th – 17th and 22nd – 24th at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, January 6 at 11:00 a.m. via Coachella.com.
