A review by KEV / kevmbourne@hotmail.com

Bon Jovi McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield, UK 13th June 2001

The coach journey into the city of Huddersfield was fairly long and tiring from Liverpool. There was an accident on the motorway, which delayed us, then the traffic heading in towards the town was atrocious! Queues for up to five miles, slowed the journey down even more, but our spirits were kept alive for what we were about to witness. When we finally arrived, I ran straight off the coach straight to the stadium, bagging a Tour Program on my way. The queues were absolutely huge, but once they started moving, when the fans were allowed into the stadium, the queues went down rather swiftly. As I entered the 40, 000 capacity stadium of Huddersfield Town, I noticed a large stage, much larger for what we had for the Crush Tour last year. The two merchandise stands remained as always. I bought two T-shirts (Four Wild Nights, and One Wild Night World Tour 2001), and 2 pin badges. Then I had to weave my way around everyone, so that I could get as near to the front as possible. I managed to get into about he fourth or fifth row, which was rather good, not as close as last year at Stoke but still good enough, when you consider the number of thousand people standing behind me. The first support (Delirious?) were planned to come on at around 5.30pm, but due to what I can only think of as Technical Difficulties, didn’t arrive till about 5.55. To be honest they didn’t really live up to much expectations. The are a kind of rock band, which we all like, but nothing was going to be as good as the main act! They did however try their best, even though the Lead singer kept asking us to jump, when it was clear that we were not yet in the mood, and were going to save all of our much needed energy for Bon Jovi. They got a good reception from the crowd however, and got a huge cheer when he announced that 2 bands would be on to follow them, both from America, but were from the UK again cue large cheer. Delirious? Lasted between 30 and 35 minutes and it was not to longer wait until the next support act came on. We had been told and was therefore expecting the next group to be Matchbox twenty, but after the first song or two, told us that they were the Goo Goo Dolls, we all seemed quite surprised that another band had come on that we were not expecting. After another few songs (the new Summer song, and Mad Season included in the set), the lead singer (Rob) told us that he was just F*****g with us earlier and that they were actually the Counting Crows. Again we all seemed to look at each other in both confused looks and amusement. Just before the last song of their 45 minutes set, Rob had a bit of a shock, when a female member of the audience lifted a banner to reveal Rob I’m Pregnant, which the guitarist picked up on and then pointed out and told him what it said. He gave us a good laugh and then finally said that they were joking with us again or the exact words were No more F*****g about now, were Matchbox Twenty, which again, made the crowd laugh in disbelief, because they changed their name three times!! Rob thanked Jon for letting them tour the UK with him, cue another roar of approval. The Main Act Bon Jovi also came on a little later than expected at about 8.35, and as the lights went down, we all knew that we were gonna be in for a hell of a treat tonight. The lighting flashed and a rocket sound echoed the stadium and the main TV screen came to life to reveal the band in a lift, which seemed to be moving very fast and as they arrived at their destination the bell of the lift went Ping!! and out they stepped into a sea of adoring Jovi fans. Each member held one arm up high in the air to announce that they had made it. This was to be the start of a very special night. One wild night was the first song and got everyone jumping up and down and shouting, dancing and screaming at the top of their voices. The next song, which I think most people found was unexpected (apart from a few of us who had already seen the setlists from the rest of the European tour which they had sung on most dates so far) was Raise Your Hands. Again this song, which hasn’t been played live for a number of years, got everyone screaming and had everyone’s hands held high. And instead of the band saying the words From New York to Tokyo, Jon came up with the words From New York to Huddersfield which surprised the crowd and was a great way to start the show. The next two tracks continued the theme of a heavy rock concert with you give love a bad name and a fantastic version of In These Arms which had also been played quite a few times on this European run. Then it seemed to slow down for a minute or two as Jon started to sing the chorus to Livin on a prayer very slowly as if in a acoustic set, but once the crowd started joining in, the band started it off again as we all know and love it to be. Prayer was followed by Born To be my baby and had continued its success from the Crush Tour from last year. Jon then made comments about how many people had come tonight There are 40, 000 of you out there and man there must be another 10,000 people who didn’t get tickets. Many fans had climbed the stadium to catch a glimpse of the boys in action - they had to watch through windows though. I cant help falling in love with you was up next and the old Elvis classic got everyone singing along and swaying their arms a fantastic sight! The only real ballad of the entire show followed Bed Of Roses had Jon dancing with one of the lucky girls form the bars at either side of the stage. Jon then asked us twice If we were still with him out there? Of course we were, coz we had you in front of us!!! The jumpy Say It isn’t so and Captain Crash were up next and were enjoyed by all. Probably the anthem off Crush (Just Older) and a song that had never been released off an album, but was always just played as a fun live track (Wild in the streets) started the shouting and screaming off in the crowd again (well not that it had topped, just improved upon!). Jon again mentioned the fans outside the stadium, by just saying Hi to them all. The next couple of songs were in an usual order for the band, this time we had Someday, Lay your hands, sleep and Bad medicine and finished the main set off in brilliant fashion along with Shout thrown in for good measures during the latter. They waved goodbye to the crowd before coming on for their First Encore. This consisted of Next 100 years and Faith. After the first encore Jon and the boys decided that they would try and fool the crowd by making it seem as though that was it, by all members of the band coming to the front of the stage to do their Finale and Bow. But of course we all know them better than this and returned about a minute later for one of the Bon Jovi’s biggest ever hits and the one that we had all longed for all night Its my life. I think it would have been better to have played this during the main set, but to play it in the second encore was strange and to be honest just totally in the wrong place of show for the classic rock song! It was followed by one of my favourite live songs because of Richie’s virtuoso guitar solos Wanted Dead or alive. After this we all predicted this to be it to be curtains for the night, but oh no. As the crowd began to leave Jon could tell how much we wanted them to stay and we chanted we want more, we want more so they did return to one final fantastic set of covers tequila and Twist and Shout. In the middle of Tequila, Jon stopped the band from playing their instruments to tell us a little story about drinking Vodka he said that if we pucker our lips (cue loud cheers and screams by the females in the crowd) and he said if we pour it down like this (in one quick motion!), then for the rest of the night we would be dancing like this (he waves his arms about in the air as if he was starting to get a wee tipsy). He followed on by saying that if we have another shot of Tequila then we would be dancing like this (he waves his arms about like a mad-man and shakes his legs as though he was very drunk and could hardly walk). Which was rather amusing lol. They thanked us all for coming, and they said they had had a great night and that he hoped we did too. We sure did Jon. It was certainly without a shadow of a doubt ONE WILD NIGHT!
The fireworks during the songs were amazing and wont be forgotton.
Only another 4 days until I see you guys again in Cardiff. Cant wait! After one of the greatest nights of my life, I thought I had better go and buy some more merchandise. I bought two posters, and another key ring and pin badge. They were quite pricey but after all, its not everyday you go and see the greatest Rock and Roll band of all time!! The only downside to a great day was the Coach Car park, an hour and a half we queued in the car park just to get out of the gates. Still a fantastic night had by all!!

SETLIST:
One Wild Night /Raise Your Hands / You Give Love A Bad Name / In These Arms / Livin' On A Prayer / Born To Be My Baby / Can't Help Falling In Love / Bed of Roses / Say It Isn't So / Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen From Mars / Just Older / Wild In The Streets / Someday I'll Be Saturday Night / Lay Your Hands On Me / I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Bad Medicine (Shout)

Encore 1: Next 100 Years / Keep The Faith
Encore 2: Its My Life / Wanted Dead or Alive
Encore 3: Tequila / Twist and Shout


PS:
And of course how can I forget.
I MUST mention my good friend Louise. We both had The One Wildest Night ever. Im glad you enjoyed it to - I think we all did.

Anyway folks
Take care
Kev

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