Axl Rose Blames Organizers For Reading And Leeds Fest Debacle

Axl Rose has launched a tirade against the Reading and Leeds Festival organizers after Guns N' Roses were cut short during both of their performances at the recent event. Though festival head Melvin Benn says the band simply showed up late, Axl argues that they were not given a fair shake.

GNR took the stage an hour late for the performance on Friday, August 27 and 30 minutes late on Sunday, August 29. According to Axl, however, they were only late because the festival crew didn't leave enough time to set up their gear.

"A simple question: If you are aware of our changeover time, the average length of our show and the general nature of how these types of festivals run, all of which are no big secrets . . . why book us?" he writes in an official statement.

He continues: "Is it simply because the lineup on our nights at both festivals sold well? So it's a cash grab with no respect for the fans or the band and somehow an unwanted inconvenience for the cities and law enforcement?"