REVIEW: One of the greatest rock bands of the 80s performed to thousands of ravenous Wellington fans, reminiscent of the glorious pre-Swift days.

Guns N' Roses had their loyal fans clinging to Slash's every riff. Their longtime fans had stuck with the band for decades, grown up with their sound, and didn't care for Wellington's maddening weather.

They were true fans. They wanted to relive the music that had powered their lives for years through the 80s to mid-90s. I, however, was born in 1997.

KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ True Guns N' Roses fan Tony of Palmerston North gets in the mood at Westpac Stadium.

For the first time ever I was to witness the spectacle that would be a proper arena rock concert.

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Previous Guns N' Roses shows had featured riots, Donald Trump pinatas and mass arrests. What would they have instore for the capital's Cake Tin?

KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ The mostly reformed band are playing to Auckland on Saturday after a Thursday night concert in Wellington.

The band, and their fans as well, have aged since their days of rebellion. Guns N' Roses' production manager of more than 20-years, Dale Skjerseth​ said the once chaotic band had evolved to be "businesspeople".

This then was the suit and tie tour.

The fans, now with families of their own, weren't there to rebel. They were settled and streamed in methodically, each wearing a black hoddie in memoriam to rock of old.

KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ It's Slash.

In the stands crowds looked down with kids by their sides. For the most part, they stayed seated apart from a few lively rockers waiving their signs of the horns. As the rain circled around, lit by fireworks and gass flames, the arena took on an almost spiritual feeling.

Or maybe that feeling was just because I couldn't understand a word Axl Rose said. Was he speaking in tongues? Or was the sound system stuffed? I have no clue, but everyone else seemed to know what was going on as they chanted in unison to the rhythm of Slash's constant strum.

It was like I'd walked into Hogwarts, but couldn't play Quidditch​.

Axl would mumble something, the crowd would cheer. Confused me would look at the dude dancing like a boss by himself.

The few great classics though, remained great classics.

Paradise City is an earworm wherever, however and whenever you hear it. Sweet Child o' Mine has travelled through the generations – it forced even the comfiest of concert goers to get out of their seats.

In 2017, we're left mostly with soft rock. It's the sad rock, the indie rock, with emo fans who wear wavy dresses rather than heavy black eyeliner. Maybe we need more of the fist pumping (or horn waving, if you want) rock.

Guns N' Roses perform to Auckland on Saturday at Western Springs.