A review by Tony / tony@tdixon40.fsnet.co.uk

After travelling the 220 miles South through some hideous weather , the day could easily have turned out to be a total washout. However this was not to be the case (until going home time).Two GOOD support bands, an amazing 'up for it' diverse crowd and a set that nearly lasted 3 hours.Highlights were an inspirational leading man performance from Jon ,milking the crowd for every last ounce of adoration,brilliant stage set (especially when it got dark later in the show) and one or two old favourites back into the setlist. The lowlights were the fact that there seemed to be a problem with Richies' sound , and the already mentioned fiasco getting out of the place resulting in a 5 hour drive home.None of this could spoil what was a return to form of our heroes. Electrifying renditions of Raise Your Hands , Wild in the Streets , Blaze of Glory , Keep the Faith , I,ll be there for you and Lay your hands on me were interspersed with trademark pyrotechnics that had the crowd reminiscing about returning to former glories.Two of the weaker songs on Crush (I got the girl and Say it isnt so)were even recieved superbly although I wouldnt mind if they were replaced in the setlist.

I started to go into depression when Tequilla and T&S were played , thinking that was the end of the show ,but to be honest they were just getting warmed up! During the breaks for the encores the whole crowd seemed to be urging them to play Prayer by singing the chorus over and over. They eventually took the bait and finished with a tremendous rendition which had us all gasping , I've certainly never seen and heard such a crowd reaction like that before. It seemed to take so much out of Jon he could hardly stand up at the end , he was so physically and mentally drained.

All in all , a great show ,much better than last year,we can only hope they come back next year to enrich our lives, and by then I might have got out of this damn traffic jam for the M1...................

p.s. Believe it or not my wife actually got a suntan yesterday during the 20 mins. of sun we had during the support acts

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