Duff McKagan Puts on Unforgettable Night at Packed Manchester Academy 2 [Photos]

Looking through gig listings can often throw up some wonderful surprises, and when one of those listings is for is someone who was part of the band that changed the course of your life it’s a no brainer. You must go. A chance to see Duff McKagan up close and personal was too tempting to ignore.

Cardiff’s James and the Cold Gun make for fantastic show openers with their raging garage rock full of pain and passion and high energy. The Welsh rockers are ones to watch for sure. Raw, honest songs performed with zero pretentions and full-on intensity. A wonderful start to the evening.

As part of Guns n’ Roses Duff McKagan was part of the band that was responsible for me, and countless others, getting into rock and metal music. Everything that has followed since can probably be traced back to hearing Appetite for Destruction for the first time, an album that still gets listened to (by me) more now, over 35 years later, than probably any other album ever released. So, it was a privilege to be able to see him in a small venue like the Academy 2 in Manchester.

He took the stage and flashed his famous wide smile to the crowd before launching into “Forgiveness” from his latest release Lighthouse. It’s an album full of introspective and melancholic rock that makes for the majority of tonight’s setlist and cements him as an extremely talented songwriter, notably recognised by Bob Dylan. “Longfeather” and “Just Another Shakedown” being particular standouts.

The set of honest country-tinged rock songs was peppered with some wonderful cover choices, that knowing Duff’s punk rock background, fit the vibe of the evening completely. The Stooges “I Wanna be your Dog”, The Crickets “I Fought the Law” made famous by The Clash and Johnny Thunders masterpiece “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory” all sounded great, but it was a frenetic run through of Gn’R’s “You’re Crazy” that was a pure highlight.

This was an intimate show in the grand scheme of things, and Duff was clearly moved that people have taken the time to come and see his show. He always seemed to be the more down to earth member of Gn’R and comes across as a humble, punk rock troubadour and even with his solo stuff being a million miles from Gn’R, the rammed venue was a tribute to the rock royalty status he has achieved over the years.

Duff McKagan (w/ James and the Cold Gun) @ Academy 2 (Manchester, UK) on October 3rd, 2024

39 photos