A review by Rock Music

Bon Jovi �Have a Nice Day" World Tour
Second Tour Leg, Opening Night
Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Review By RockMusic - 01.15.06

Last night was my first time to see Bon Jovi live despite attending over 150 concerts. They did not disappoint. Ticket prices for the concert, including fees, were $98.85 for the floor, first, and second level, and $58.85 for the third level. To my surprise, I had great seats just three rows off stage left-front, purchased the day before the concert.

The Oklahoma City Ford Center is a 1st class arena and a top 10 U.S. booking venue, as to revenue, per Pollstar. It opened June 2002 at a cost of $89 million and, for end-stage concerts, holds 19,200. Bon Jovi hit the stage at 8:35 p.m. to a deafening roar by the sold out crowd. Bon Jovi�s sold out concert�s attendance was one of the largest, for a veteran rock act, since the Center opened. World legendary superstar rock acts like Motley Crue, Billy Idol with Steve Stevens, Van Halen, Eric Clapton, and ZZ Top, all paled in attendance comparison.

I was extremely impressed with the quality of the concert that Bon Jovi delivered. Alright, I was jaw hit the floor shocked. Without exception, Bon Jovi are world-class musicians that proved they can still deliver a premier rock concert product, and greatly care about their fans. All members looked fantastic, sounded great, had great synergistic chemistry, all performed songs were tight, and the band did a super job working the crowd into a full-blown frenzy.

Bon Jovi�s stage setup was also great. It had a clean Vegas techno look to it. The moveable stage overhead high definition video screen was the largest I�ve ever seen at a concert. The clarity, quality, and numerous camera angles shooting the entire live concert were incredible. Without question, Bon Jovi set the standard for other National touring acts, when it comes to a big screen live concert production. It took the enjoyment of going to a large venue concert to a whole new level.

Bon Jovi played a diverse mix of both new material from their �Have a Nice Day� album, along with time honored classics spanning their 22 year history. The huge crowd in attendance soaked up the massive energy that Bon Jovi delivered for 2+ hours and threw it right back at them in a thunderous wave of support and non-stop enthusiasm. Even after the concert, when everyone was walking out of the arena, the enthusiasm and roar of the crowd was deafening. The huge crowd spilled out into the closed traffic street in front of the Ford Center, lined with waiting limos, and just keep partying. No one wanted to go home after such a high energy and incredible concert. Luckily, just two blocks from the Ford Center is a large number of clubs and eateries that the massive crowd descended upon and partied until the wee hours of the morning.

To be honest, I wasn�t the biggest Bon Jovi fan before seeing them live last night. Wow, did that all change. Now I�m scouting great tickets for three other Bon Jovi concerts, on the second tour leg, being Houston, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

In closing, as a 15+ year professional rock/blues-rock touring musician, I must state that there is so much more to delivering a highly memorable fans concert experience than being a great band. It also requires a comfortable, pleasurable, and well managed venue; a great stage setup, sound, and visual experience; and most importantly, the ability of each band member to connect with the audience at an inner level, both individually and synergistically as a group. The defining factor is, great musicians� don�t play their instrument(s), or even think about it - they channel from their soul. Bon Jovi�s concert at the Ford Center delivered all this and more.

Thanks guys, don�t ever let rock �n� roll die. ~ ~

Set List - 2:05 Hours
Ford Center, OKC, 01.14.06
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01. Last Man Standing
02. You Give Love A Bad Name
03. Complicated
04. Born To Be My Baby
05. Story Of My Life
06. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
07. Runaway
08. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
09. Novocaine
10. I Won�t Back Down (Tom Petty Cover)
11. Have A Nice Day
12. Who Says You Can't Go Home
13. It's My Life
14. I'll Be There For You
15. Blaze Of Glory
16. Bed Of Roses
17. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen From Mars
18. Bad Medicine
19. Raise Your Hands
20. Livin' On A Prayer
1st Encore:
21. Welcome To Wherever You Are
22. One Last Cigarette
23. Treat Her Right
2nd Encore:
24. Wanted Dead or Alive

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