Guns N' Roses fans heading to the 2026 World Tour opener will notice a missing face on stage. An official press release from the band announced that keyboardist Melissa Reese will not join Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan for the start of the band’s latest global trek. The tour is scheduled to begin on March 28, 2026, at the Tecate Pa'l Norte festival at Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, Mexico.

According to reports from Ultimate Classic Rock and 102.9 WMGK, Reese is stepping back due to "unforeseen personal reasons." Reese first joined the legendary rock group in 2016 during the "Not in This Lifetime" tour, serving as the band's first female member and a key component of their modern live sound. The Everett Post reports that while her absence is confirmed for the Monterrey show, there is no word yet on when she might return to the lineup.

As of opening night, Guns N' Roses has not named a replacement keyboardist to handle the synthesizers and sub-bass duties. The band’s management and official social media channels have remained quiet regarding a fill-in musician for the 2026 dates. For now, the rock icons are moving forward as a modified unit for their highly anticipated return to the international stage.