In the unpredictable world of rock and roll, few stories capture the essence of celebrity eccentricity quite like Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose's unexpected overnight stay at Tottenham Hotspur's billion-pound stadium.
The Unusual Request That Started It All
During the band's Covid-delayed UK tour in July 2022, Rose was scheduled to perform consecutive nights at the then-brand new 62,850-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. However, what happened between those performances would become the latest chapter in the singer's legendary reputation for unpredictable behaviour.
Rose unexpectedly refused to return to his five-star hotel in Mayfair between the two shows, instead demanding to stay overnight within the stadium walls. "Axl said he didn't want to go back to the Dorchester between his two consecutive nights at Spurs' stadium," revealed a perfectly placed source. "He said, 'Find me a nice suite in the stadium'. You don't really say no to him when he is insisting."
The IKEA Solution to a Rock Star Problem
The request presented an immediate challenge for the stadium staff and tour crew. As this was the first music gig in the brand new stadium, there were no proper sleeping accommodations available. The solution required some creative thinking and a quick trip to the nearest furniture store.
"So someone was sent out to the Ikea on the North Circular to buy him a bed and bedding," the source explained. After considering various locations within the massive venue, the crew ultimately decided on the away dressing room as the most suitable spot for the rock star's unusual sleepover.
The makeshift bedroom arrangement apparently pleased Rose, who seemed perfectly content with his unconventional accommodation. The following day, road crew members packed up the bed and bedding into one of their vans, taking it with them as the tour continued.
Part of a Larger Pattern of Rock and Roll Behaviour
This incident fits comfortably within Rose's established reputation for wild behaviour that has included everything from notorious lateness to complete no-shows and various backstage altercations throughout his career.
Rose has historically clashed with numerous high-profile figures, including a reported fist fight with music legend David Bowie in 1989 and a photographed brawl with fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger in 2006. His turbulent relationships have extended to band members as well, with lead guitarist Slash quitting in 1996 before eventually returning in 2016.
Looking ahead, Guns N' Roses fans have something to anticipate, with the band recently announced as headliners for the Download festival at Donington in June 2026. This will mark their only UK performance that year, alongside other headliners Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit. Whether Rose will attempt another backstage sleepover remains to be seen, but his reputation for the unexpected certainly precedes him.
