Guns N' Roses fans brave sweltering heat for epic Wrigley Field concert

CHICAGO - The record-breaking heat across Chicagoland made it challenging to be outside Thursday, but it didn’t stop fans from attending the Guns N' Roses concert at Wrigley Field.

With sweltering temperatures peaking as the gates to the ballpark opened at 4 p.m., it was as though diehards were being ‘welcomed to the jungle.’

"You know what, we’re just so excited to see the show that we don’t care about the weather, don’t even care," said Jessie Barakhshan, concertgoer.

As the legendary rock band took the stage Thursday evening, they transported concertgoers to ‘Paradise City.’

"This has been on his bucket list," said Melodee Novak.

Novak and her son, Tommy, purchased tickets for the show on a whim Thursday, traveling from Indiana to attend.

Guns N' Roses is performing for just one night in Chicago before bringing the heat to Nashville this weekend. Their global tour features The Pretenders.

Despite the extreme temperatures, fans found ways to stay cool – and even on what became the hottest day of the year, the outdoor concert was just the place they wanted to be.

"It’s the energy, it’s Slash on the guitar, it’s epic," said Mike Randall.

To keep concertgoers feeling 'so fine,’ misters were up and running, along with cooling stations throughout the ballpark. There was also a cooling bus available on Waveland Avenue.

"We had some liquid IVs, we’re very hydrated, we’re ready to go!" said Barakhshan.

To ensure that concertgoers were kept hydrated, Wrigley Field permitted new and unopened water bottles to be brought into the ballpark.

"Brought a bag full of about 10-15 waters. Definitely a toasty one today," said Terry Gwidt. "Here for the music."

It was particularly 'toasty' for certain ticketholders.

"I’m thinking the fourth row seats on the field weren’t a great idea, said T.J. Elison. "Will probably spend a lot of time where they sell beer."

One couple, who is visiting from Madison, Wisconsin and staying downtown decided to save some extra cash by walking all the way to Wrigleyville. The trek took an hour and a half.

"I wasn't ready for the heat, he was, he's used to it, but I was drinking water, and we're super excited," said concertgoer Maria Guerrero. "We might take the train back."

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Meanwhile, even the unprecedented heat index didn't stop Mason Balsley from dressing the part and rocking a long wig.

"I’m having fun with it, people are taking pictures and fake autographs, it’s great," said Balsley, who dressed as Slash.

Speaking of Slash – it was a full circle moment for concertgoer Brian Burns, who for one night in 1991, worked security for the lead guitarist at Alpine Valley Music Theatre.

"Great experience, we went to the show on Friday night, we worked a Saturday night 30 years ago, now I’m old, coming back, re-living it all," said Burns.

On Friday evening, the Jonas Brothers will take center stage at Wrigley Field, where fans will be pleased that they won't be ‘Burnin' Up’ in the heat – with a much more tolerable forecast expected.