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

Well, it finally arrived, after 5 years of waiting we get
to see Bon Jovi strutting their stuff once again.For what
seems like months now I've been scouring these web pages , reading every word of every review, (especially the concert reviews)to try and gauge wether the lads have lost anything through having 5 years off. Have they still got the passion for it? Is Jon's voice still up to it? Are the fans still bothered? All these questions, and many more, have been levelled at Bon Jovi recently and I can tell you after this show, albeit slightly shorter than usual (2hrs 15min) they've lost absolutely nothing over the years, apart from a bit of hair (haven't we all)

The set list was basically the same as they have been playing on this tour, mixing a lot of new stuff (about 7 songs from Crush) with some faithful old classics. How can some people whinge about there being nothing new in the show when they are sometimes playing 10 songs from Crush?
The crowd reaction was pretty good all night especially to the older material (Someday I'll be Saturday night, Sleep when I'm dead, Bad Medicine, Wanted, Bed of roses). The Crush songs got a good responce (It's My Life is excellent live and will definately have a permanent place on the set list). They also played Say It Isn't So, Just Older, Capt. Crash, One Wild Night, Next 100 Years and Mystery Train. Unfortunately, Thank You for Loving Me didn't get an airing tonight (if theres going to be another single released from Crush, it's got to be this one) which was my one and only disappointment. The new version of Runaway is fantastic- Jon's voice and David's piano bringing the best out of this old, old classic. The highlight of the night had to be Bed Of Roses- my wife Heather's favourite- Richie's awesome guitar work once again making him the legend he is.

So nothing from 'These Days' I can live with that- after all it is the 'Crush' tour and as long as it's Bon Jovi on the stage, you'll get 100% quality, whatever they play. I suppose if they played everyones favourite songs they would be on stage all of the night and most of the next day- now that IS an good idea.

My final thought of the night is that although they've had 5 years off, nothing has diminished, they still have the same passion for live music and for entertaining their fans. As they rounded off the night with 'Keep the Faith' Jon promised they wouldn't leave it another 5 years to come back. We certainly hope you don't, but whatever the length of time- one thing is for sure- your real fans will still be there waiting for you.

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