Gilby Clarke Lands in London on Way To Italy Tour

Words and Photos by Dave Martin/Faversham Photography

Former Guns N Roses, Slash’s Snake pit and Kills for Thrills guitarist Gilby Clarke lands in London’s O2 Academy 2 in Islington on route to a three-date tour of Italy.

Accompanied by the highly talented Guns 2 Roses and guests the legendary guitarist visited the capitol for one night only and his first since November 2024.

First to the stage were GNR tribute Guns 2 Roses. The band that has headlined festivals such as Rock the Mote are no strangers to the Islington venue having sold it out on their previous visit.

They kicked off proceedings with fan favourite “Welcome to the Jungle” and that is what the Academy 2 became as their set progressed. With the group delivering hit after hit to their high standards.

The band enthralled the crowd with their performance whether it was “Slash” holding his guitar a lot playing behind his head or “Axl” doing call and response, the fans enjoyed every aspect.

At one point Gavin Felvus (Axl) asks “Are you having a good time. We have a few guests. Have you seen Britains Got Talent?” before bringing out first guest Olly person the young guitarist who placed fourth on the TV show. Looking very much the part, the youngster took over lead guitar part. He was soon joined by ex-Vixen singer Loraine Lewis.  The pair joined the group in several tracks to a warm reception as they leave before my personal favourite track “Nightrain”.  The audience were singing at full volume for most of the set and this continued to final track “Paradise City”, setting up an electric atmosphere for the headline act.

Setlist: 1. Welcome to the Jungle, 2. Mr Brownstone, 3. Live and Let Die, 4. You Could be Mine, 5. 14 Years, 6. Dead Horse, 7. Don’t Cry, 8. Sweet Child of Mine, 9. You Shook me All Night Long, 10. Nightrain, 11. Paradise City

Headliner Gilby Clarke was joined on stage by long time collaborators bassist EJ Curse and Drummer Troy Patrick Farrell. All three members exuding stage presence whether it was Curse’s posing for the cameras, Farrells hair flicks or Clarke’s shapes with the guitar, the audience appreciated all of it.

Clarke weaved through tracks from his entire back catalogue from his early work with Kills for Thrills, Guns and Roses and his own material as well as some covers. He joked with the crowd that they just wanted him to play Guns N Roses song but in his own words “I can only sing 3 of them, actually only 1” but he was clearly doing himself a disservice. The performance incorporated several stories including one including recording a cover of “Dead Flowers” with Axl Rose who managed to not only record the whole piano in 15 minutes but also offered to record the vocals. During another cover, Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heavens door there as a call and response with those gathered in full voice.

One highlight of the evening was when following the Axl story, Clarke welcomed Felvus back to the stage to sing “Dead Flowers” with the guitar icon.

Clarke was clearly having a good time and extended the set well beyond the planned end time adding “Motor Cycle Cowboys” as an unplanned encore after the audience chanted “One More Song” after the completion of Tijuana Jail.

Following the completion of the set Clarke went into the crowd to meet fans and remained for a hour talking to fans and taking photos. Clarke was really personable and this just added to the fantastic night had by all.

Clarke now moves on to Italy for the next 3 dates of his tour.   

Setlist 1. Monkey Chow, 2. Under the Gun, 3. Warm Country Sun, 4. Gospel Truth, 5. It’s so Easy, 6. Cure Me or Kill Me, 7. Bad Obsession 8. Tightwad, 9. Knockin on Heaven’s Door, 10. Shut Up, 11. Rock N Roll is Getting Louder, 12. Dead Flowers, 13. Patience 14. Tijuana Jail 15. Motor Cycle Cowboys