Latest news with #GunsN'Roses
Time Out Dubai
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Why Studio Frantzén should be your next night out on the Palm
Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary dining experience? We know just the place to head to. With a playlist personally curated by the founder himself, a menu of bold French-Asian flavours, and a whole lot of personality, this modern European bistro from one of the most iconic chefs in the world, Björn Frantzén, the only chef alive with three restaurants awarded three MICHELIN stars, redefines what dining out should feel like. Tucked away on The Palm, Studio Frantzén channels the spirit of a refined bistro with a playful edge. A glittering chandelier steals the spotlight, red chairs pop against crisp white tablecloths and every corner reveals a playful surprise. Here, dining moves to its own rhythm, making it just right for casual meet-ups, late night drinks with friends or a date night to remember. Look inside This spot is made for those who like to linger, with an exclusive bar and lounge, intimate booths, a chef's counter overlooking the open kitchen and a private dining room for moments that call for a bit more ceremony. And can we talk about the playlist? Featuring 300 handpicked songs by Björn himself, the music offers a mix of genres, from classic rock hits like Guns N' Roses to timeless tracks from The Smiths, creating the perfect background for an unforgettable evening. What's on the menu? The menu showcases bold French-Asian flavours and refined techniques that highlight pure ingredients, reflecting Björn Frantzén's culinary philosophy. Expect dishes that make the best of natural ingredients but with unexpected touches. Think baby chicken with miso beurre blanc and burnt hay oil, or a Caesar salad that swaps the usual chicken for guinea fowl, adds pine nuts, and throws in a little miso togarashi to keep things interesting. Even the sides come from the fireplace, so there's warmth in every bite. Want a grape to pair your decadent meal with? Let the sommelier select the perfect match from a cellar boasting over 1,800 labels. Whereas, the mixed drinks bring bold character for those seeking something different. Weekend lunches And if you're in the mood for a proper weekend wind-down (or wind-up, depending on your energy), their Luncheon happens every Saturday and Sunday from 12.30pm to 4pm. It's Dhs195 for the set menu of two courses and a side. If you fancy pairing it with two hours of free-flowing beverages, simply top up for Dhs225. Click here to peruse the menu. You'll be choosing between dishes like grilled prawns with lacto fermented red curry dressing and ginger aioli or a summery artichoke and grilled green asparagus plate with pea miso and pistachios. Grape lovers, take note Experience The Hidden Cellar, where head sommelier Ognjen Samardzic hosts an intimate monthly dinner in the private dining room, featuring a curated selection from over 1,800 labels and a thoughtfully prepared menu for just fourteen guests. The event is usually announced during the first week of each month. This intimate grape dinner experience is Dhs1,200 per person and the latest one is happening on Wednesday May 28, from 7.30pm. We'll see you there? Make a reservation now: Open Mon-Fri 6pm-1am; Sat-Sun noon-4pm, 6pm-1am. Weekend lunch: 12.30pm-4pm. Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Girish and the Chronicles bring their hard rock power to Hyderabad
Mention Bengaluru-based Girish and the Chronicles (GATC) in a room full of rock fans and watch the mood shift — soaring vocals, powerful guitars, and memories of the band's blistering live sets take centre stage. For over a decade, the four-piece band has been a driving force in India's hard rock and melodic metal scene. Originally from Sikkim, GATC comprises Girish Pradhan (vocals), Nagen Mongranti (drums), Yogesh Pradhan (bass), and Suraz Karki (guitar). Having shared stages with rock royalty — Guns N' Roses, Skid Row, Nazareth, Alter Bridge, and Megadeth's Chris Adler during his India tour — GATC's resume reads like a metalhead's dream. But speak to Girish and the conversation returns to Sikkim, where it all began. 'My brother and I were discovering music on our own,' Girish recalls. 'We grew up in the cassette era, which forced us to really listen. Yogesh was playing around with guitars, and I started taking vocals seriously at around 14. Music was always around — our mum's a singer and most of our cousins played guitar.' That early exposure, thanks to cassettes and classic MTV, was formative. 'Shows would play everything from Iron Maiden and Bon Jovi to Lenny Kravitz and Metallica. Songs like Jaded, It's My Life, and Fly Away just blew our minds. Later we realised many of these bands were already legends from the '80s!' Girish credits their musical awakening to the rich, music-loving culture of the Northeast. 'We were lucky to grow up in it.' Their first band, Anarchy, formed when Girish was in Class 11 and Yogesh in Class 9. 'I was on vocals and rhythm guitar. Yogesh started out on drums. Our dad, Shyam Pradhan, who was a football commentator, was incredibly supportive,' Girish says. Their breakout moment was at a school show in 2004 that drew over 5,000 people. 'We were blown away,' said Girish. Now, over two decades later, GATC is set to perform in Hyderabad on May 31 at Hard Rock Café. 'It's not our first time in the city, but we're always excited to play. Every show feels new,' says Girish. Those early gigs were more than just performances — they were GATC's initiation into the world of concerts and crowd energy. Over the years, the band took every opportunity that came their way. Their commitment to rock 'n' roll often earned them the wrong kind of attention. 'There was a phase when people labelled us as 'boys with bad habits' just because we were in a rock band,' Girish recalls. 'It wasn't pleasant. But nothing is permanent, thankfully.' When asked what fuels his songwriting, Girish says it is deeply personal. 'I started writing from a young age, and my songs often reflect my own situations — what kind of year it's been, what's going on in my life or around me.' Was there ever a moment when the dream felt uncertain? 'Absolutely. I pursued nothing but music. I was in a band that didn't work out. Then I went solo and dropped out of engineering—without telling anyone. It was a risk. But I knew this was what I had to do.' That decision took him to Kathmandu, where he spent a transformative year immersed in the city's vibrant music scene. 'Kathmandu was my real college. I learnt everything I could about music there.' In 2009, he returned to Gangtok and recorded his first single, Angel, with his brother, who was home for the holidays while studying sound engineering. Around the same time, Girish's YouTube channel began gaining traction. 'YouTube became a turning point. It's how music lovers discovered us,' he says. 'Honestly, YouTube and Facebook were our passports to popularity.' The momentum continued. In 2010, GATC became the first band from the Northeast to be invited to a European music festival— Suncane Skale International Music Awards Festival in Montenegro, Europe. Two years later, in 2012, they spent a full year as the house band for a major club in Hong Kong. Their debut album released in 2014 — and now, their fourth album is slated for a September 2025 release. Girish And The Chronicles will be playing at Hard Rock Cafe, Hitec City, Hyderabad on May 31.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Well this is a first…': Richard Fortus says it was so hot in Saudi Arabia that his pickups melted
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Strange things can happen to our gear in the heat. It can play havoc with a vintage germanium fuzz pedal. It can do all kinds of unwelcome things to our guitar's setup. Oh, and on some occasions it do something even more drastic – like what happened to Richard Fortus just the other day. Fortus was playing at the Mohammed Abdu Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Guns N' Roses took to the stage just after 10pm, the sun long gone over the horizon, the temperature a little more amenable to a three-hour rock concert on the Arabian Peninsula. During the day it was a different story, with the mercury reaching 45° Celsius/113° Fahrenheit. Not all of the gear came out of the GNR truck in the same condition it went in. Fortus' signature Gretsch Falcon looked like it needed a bit of work to get it ready. 'Well this is a first,' Fortus wrote on Instagram. 'It was so hot in Saudi Arabia that the wax in my pickups melted!' Alex Skolnick metaphorically spoke for all of us here when the Testament guitarist left an open-mouthed emoji. Horror is the only appropriate response. Melting wax is a new one on us. Wax-potted pickups are commonplace, and for good reason. Wax potting reduces mechanical vibrations in the pickup, which in turn helps nix unwanted microphonics. Also, just think how sweaty you get during a show. Wax potting prevents moisture getting into the pickup and corroding the pole pieces, preserving the lifespan of your pickup. But just look at front of Fortus' Gretsch guitar. It's like a candle has been dripping onto the guitar's top. The V-Stoptail looks like it could be caked in it. The good news is that this is easily enough fixed by a qualified tech. Guns N' Roses will have at least one or two on the payroll with them. Also, it's rare. Image 1 of 3 Image 2 of 3 Image 3 of 3 Indeed, when MusicRadar spoke to Fortus in 2022 about the Falcons, he said 'They've proven to be incredibly stable on this tour'. But then maybe a June/July run through Europe is not quite as hot as the an-Nafud desert. The Filter'Trons you will find on Fortus' signature guitar are not your garden variety Filter'Tron. He tried every variant before co-designing a pair with Gretsch that suited his Falcon to a tee. 'At first, we tried all the boutique Filter'Trons – Lollar, Mojotone, TV Jones… We went through everything including the Arcanes, which is what I use in my [hollowbody] Players Edition Falcons,' said Fortus. 'I love the Arcanes in those guitars. They sound amazing. 'In fact, I've just recommended them to Charlie Starr from BlackBerry Smoke. He ended up putting them in an old White Falcon he has – like a late '60s model. But in the end, it was quite the process. We had the luxury of being able to wind pickups and test them in Guns N' Roses rehearsals. 'I had several guitars on rotation and John Gaudesi was winding pickups on the spot. We were listening in fine detail through in-ears and in the control room and tweaking them as we went along until we found the perfect sound.' Guns N' Roses concluded the Middle East run of their tour in Abu Dhabi, UAE, yesterday and start their European run on 30 May in Georgia. They play Birmingham on 23 June and London on the 26 June. See Guns N' Roses for full dates and ticket details.
What's On
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
5 unmissable rock shows in Abu Dhabi 2025
It's time to rock out… Few things in life are more freeing, expressive and energetic than a rock show. The good news is, we have several coming to the UAE capital this year. On that note, here are 5 rock shows in Abu Dhabi you must attend. May 27: Guns N' Roses They'll perform at the Etihad Arena tonight , and bring a revered songbook of rock superhits that will include Sweet Child O' Mine , Welcome to the Jungle , and more. Guns N' Roses, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Tuesday May 27, from Dhs380. August 12: Limp Bizkit Known for tracks such as Take a Look Around ( cue Tom Cruise full throttle on a Triumph Speed Triple in Mission: Impossible 2), Rollin', Behind Blue Eyes, Break Stuff (hello, Woodstock '99), Nookie , and Boiler, the band, comprising frontman Fred Durst, guitarist Wes Borland, bassist Sam Rivers, drummer John Otto and DJ Lethal redefined what it meant to take over an arena around the turn of the millennium. And they're coming to Abu Dhabi this summer. Limp Bizkit, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, August 12, Live Nation presale April 24 at noon, general sales April 25 at noon. December 6: Metallica The one, the only, evergreen heavy metal supergroup Metallica has been confirmed to perform on Saturday, December 6 at Etihad Park, and we're beyond sure this will be one of the biggest shows to come to town in a long time. Wait for hits such as Master of Puppets , Enter Sandman, I Disappear , and others. Metallica Live, Etihad Park, Saturday December 6, 2025, tickets at October 9: Smashing Pumpkins The near-40 year-strong band grew in fame in the '90s, with albums such as Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness , which spawned hit singles including 1979 and Tonight Tonight. One look at those videos on YouTube and you'll know they're from a nostalgia-inducing time i.e. the good ol'days i.e. the '90s, when your summer break often meant lounging around and watching music videos on MTV. They'll be performing at the Etihad Arena right as we dive into Q4, and you won't want to miss it. The Smashing Pumpkins, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, October 2025. December 17: Rod Stewart Fresh off his 33rd studio album Swing Fever , Sir Rod Stewart has been confirmed to play at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on December 17 this year. One of the best-selling artists in history, the eight-decade strong legend will bring his timeless hits including Maggie May , The First Cut is the Deepest , Forever Young , and many others to town. Rod Stewart Live, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, December 17, pre-sale April 17 at 8am, general sales on April 18 at noon. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
When Kareena Kapoor expressed her love for Shah Rukh Khan and strong dislike for Salman Khan: ‘Don't even ask me about him…'
The Khans have ruled Bollywood for decades. But beyond box office dominance, they have also won the admiration of many leading ladies in the industry. Several actresses have not only worked with them but have also spoken about the joy of sharing screen space with the iconic trio. Kareena Kapoor is one such star, fortunate to have collaborated with all three Khans. However, did you know there was a time when Kareena was in awe of Shah Rukh Khan but didn't care much for Salman Khan? In an old interview with she candidly shared her early impressions of the Khans during her initial years in the industry. Also Read: Kareena Kapoor gets a private concert from Saif Ali Khan, son Taimur as she misses Guns N' Roses, see photos While Kareena openly expressed her deep admiration for Shah Rukh, she was equally candid about her dislike for Salman. Speaking about SRK, the actress said, 'I'm totally in love with him. Don't even ask me about him because if I start, I won't stop talking about him for hours. Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh are the only two actors I admire. There is something about Shah Rukh that is amazing. He has that very boy-next-door appeal, which makes every girl want to take him home to her parents. His performances touch me.' On the other hand, while talking about Salman, she said, 'I'm not at all a Salman fan. I don't like him, he's a very bad actor. I tell him that he hams all the time. Aamir's good, I really liked him in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and QSQT, but out of the Khans, I'm a total Shah Rukh fan.' When it comes to working with the Khans, Kareena Kapoor has shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan in Asoka, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. With Salman Khan, she has starred in films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bodyguard, and Kyon Ki. Her collaborations with Aamir Khan include Laal Singh Chaddha, Talaash, and 3 Idiots.
