A review by Carl / one_wild_carl@hotmail.co.uk

Two years ago Bon Jovi came to the City of Manchester Stadium and blew me away with their amazing performance, I thought to myself coming back here again that there was no way they could top that. How wrong was I in the best possible way, this time, going with one of my best friends who lives in Manchester. I was also lucky enough to bump in to a few other friends so me and my friend hung out with them and basically had a party.

It was a bit of a nightmare to find the right line to join up, but after asking several people we finally found it.
After getting inside we had a local band on, think they were called heavens basement, to be honest they were not bad at all, certainly did well enough for me to perhaps have another look at their music in future.

Then we had the feeling who were not that good, and the longer it went on the more I was praying for it to finish and for the boys from New Jersey to come on stage.

Finally as it neared 8pm, the lights started and the band came on the stage and just judging by the mood they were really up for it and it was clear it was going to be special when they launched straight into Livin' On A Prayer followed by Bad Name. Lost Highway was well received before going back to their older stuff with born to be my baby.

Bit later on we got a couple of suprises with Last Cigarette which was a song i've never really listened to but it was well impressive the way they performed it, then we had Diamond Ring which is another gem of a song that I rarely hear. Even more of a suprise and delight was the fact they did Always and it wasn't the this left feels right version either, it was full crossroads version, have to admit I kinda emotional hearing that as did my friend. Once again Richie did a fantastic performance of I'll be there for you.

Now later on I did not expect lightening to strike twice in Manchester, but it did when David started playing the piano and we knew what it was straight away, it was Dry County, probably my favourite all time song, couldn't believe it again!!! Then we had the other classics, Keep the faith, blood on blood, it's my life, have a nice day.

We got 2 encores as well, the first encore was 3 songs all off the new album, We got it going on which was very well received by the crowd, any other day then appropriately I love this town, which bon jovi do seem to love Manchester. Then when it seemed it was all over, they came back again and did someday i'll be saturday night and appropriately finishing off with Wanted. Overall as I said it was a fantastic show, the boys were in fine form and the atmosphere was brilliant even if the weather wasn't particularly good with it being very windy and the odd shower to contend with. I did notice from reading some other reviews on a different websites, there was one or two complaints about the sound, but where me and my friend were the sound was excellent.

Can't wait for Twickenham this Saturday. Full set list below

LIVIN' ON A PRAYER
YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME
LOST HIGHWAY
BORN TO BE MY BABY
CAPTAIN CRASH
DIE FOR YOU
LAST CIGARETTE
SLEEP/JUMPIN' JACK FLASH/TWIST AND SHOUT
BLAZE OF GLORY
WHOLE LOT OF LEAVIN'
DIAMOND RING
ALWAYS
IN THESE ARMS
BLOOD ON BLOOD
IT'S MY LIFE
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU - (RICHIE ON VOCALS)
DRY COUNTY
HAVE A NICE DAY
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME
KEEP THE FAITH
BAD MEDICINE/SHOUT

ENCORE:
WE GOT IT GOIN' ON
ANY OTHER DAY
I LOVE THIS TOWN

ENCORE 2
SOMEDAY I'LL BE SATURDAY NIGHT
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

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