Hollywood Bowl

Lore & Background

During the 2023 tour, which spanned Asia, Europe, and North America starting June 1 at the Etihad Arena, the Hollywood Bowl show on November 2 stands out for a singular reason: the debut of "The General." While the band spent months reintroducing older tracks like "Anything Goes," "Bad Obsession," "Pretty Tied Up," and "Down On The Farm" across various dates, this specific night introduced new material to the live repertoire. Later that December, "The General" was officially released as the B-side on the 7-inch vinyl single for "Perhaps." This performance also occurred just before drummer Frank Ferrer's departure in March 2025, making it one of his final appearances with the group at this venue.

In Their Own Story

On November 2, 2023, under the lights of the Hollywood Bowl, Guns N' Roses delivered a set that expanded their recorded history. The crowd witnessed the band premiere "The General" live for the first time, a moment that would later be immortalized on vinyl. This event was part of a broader tour strategy to refresh their catalog with long-unplayed songs alongside new releases like "Perhaps," which had debuted at PNC Park in Pittsburgh earlier that August. The atmosphere was charged by the knowledge that this lineup, featuring Frank Ferrer on drums, was nearing its end before his exit in early 2025.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking the band's 2023 movements, the Hollywood Bowl date is essential as the origin point for "The General." The tour began on June 1 and concluded on November 5, but this specific show provided the first live instance of a song that would define their late-2023 output. Visitors should note that while other guests like Dave Grohl or Carrie Underwood appeared at different dates in the summer, the Hollywood Bowl show is defined by its exclusive musical debut rather than guest appearances. It remains a key reference point for understanding the band's setlist progression during this final tour era with Frank Ferrer.

Did You Know?

• Guns N' Roses performed "The General" live for the first time at the Hollywood Bowl on November 2, 2023.
• The song "Perhaps" was released digitally on August 18, 2023, the same day it debuted live at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
• Frank Ferrer's final tour with Guns N' Roses concluded after this stop, as he departed the band in March 2025.
• "The General" was later released as the B-side on the "Perhaps" 7-inch vinyl in December 2023.
• The 2023 tour included songs not performed in a long time, such as "Bad Obsession" and "Pretty Tied Up."