Guns n' Roses return to the UK

Guns N Roses made their long awaited live return to the UK tonight (June 7) for a warm up show before their Download Festival appearance this weekend.

Singer Axl Rose - the only remaining member of the original line-up - returned to the Hammersmith Apollo for the first time in nearly 20 years for a set peppered with classic hits and four new tracks.

Typically, Axl turned up over an hour late with his seven piece band.

But he treated the crowd to a 130 minute set made up of fan favourites 'Welcome To The Jungle', 'Sweet Child O' Mine', 'Mr Brownstone', 'Patience' and Use Your Illusion tracks 'You Could Be Mine' and 'November Rain'.

His band also played new tracks - 'Madagascar','Better', 'The Blues' and 'IRN' - from the long awaited 'Chinese Democracy' album.

The show, which was watched by Queen guitarist Brian May and model Elle Macpherson, saw Axl make a number of costume changes in between spectacular pyrotechniques.

During the Bob Dylan cover 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door', the singer also handed his mic over for a member of the audience to sing.

He was later joined by former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach for 'My Michelle' before the band eventually wrapped up the show with 'Paradise City'.

Guns N Roses played:

'Welcome To The Jungle'
'It's So Easy'
'Mr Brownstone'
'Live And Let Die'
'Sweet Child O' Mine'
'Madagascar'
'Better'
'You Could Be Mine'
'Knockin' On Heaven's Door'
'The Blues'
'IRN'
'Outta Get Me'
'November Rain'
'My Michelle'
'Patience'
'Night Train'
'Paradise City'

Guns N Roses are now set to play the Download festival this weekend (June 10-11). For full coverage direct from the site tune in to NME.COM.

The band have also added an extra date to their forthcoming UK tour at Wembley Arena.

Guns N Roses will now play:

Sheffield Hallam FM Arena (July 18)
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (19)
Glasgow SECC (21)
Manchester MEN Arena (23)
Birmingham NEC (25)
Nottingham Arena (27)
London Wembley Arena (29/30)

For tickets go NME.COM/Gigs.