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17 July 2001 - Toronto, ON, Canada Concert Review 21 July 2001
Bon Jovi pumped about new attendance record

A review by Steve / shalabs@cyberus.ca

I knew this was going to be a great show when after the first or second song, Jon comes out like a prizefighter and tells the crowd "Back in '95 we set the attendance record at this place...a few months later a group called the Backstreet Boys came in and broke it...tonight, we just set a NEW attendance record...I've come back to take whats mine!!"

Jon was indeed acting like a prize fighter, throwing punches, ducking, weaving. He seemed to be pumped by the fact that they set the attendance record. He kept up that energy throughout the show, acting like a madman running around everywhere.

They tore through a set list that contained few surprises. They played One Wild Night, Raise You Hands was a huge surprise and is an excellent song to play live.

I was quite surprised by my reaction to In These Arms. It isnt close to one of my favorite BJ songs, but that night, for some reason, I really connected with it.

For me, the highlight of the night was when Jon gave the stage to Richie so that he could play Stranger In This Town. Wow. What a talented musician. What a voice. As he stood up there and sang his heart out, belting out every word and playing his guitar like his life depended on it, I could really feel Richie's vibe. I understood what he was communicating. He was communicating his love of music, and it came out loud and clear. He totally blew me away I was in awe and still am of that magical moment.

Another highlight for me was It's My Life...wow, does that song ever get a crowd up and about! When they played that song, I was totally connected with the music and lost in the moment.

I'll Be there For You should be played at every show. That song gets the crowd so much into it with the sea of lighters and the wooohhoooooos.

When they played I'll Sleep When Im Dead, Jon grabbed all the fans on the left side of the stage and formed a conga line. It was quite cool (and gracious of Jon) to see 20-30 fans on stage, smiling and having the time of their lives!

They came back for 2-3 encores. Of course Wanted was played to perfection, and then they finished with the double combo of Tequila and Twist and Shout to end a wonderful evening.

I was quite pleased with the crowd reaction in Toronto. It was definitely the second best show I've seen this year, and I've been to Ottawa, Quebec, and Montreal twice. (November in Montreal was #1)

My only complaint is that they should finish with one of their songs! This is a Bon Jovi show, not The Beatles.

All in all, it was a magical evening that I wish there could only be more of.

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