Well - here it is... we have like 3 mins left, so it is a bit shorter - loads of stuff still to say.

Some of the comments on here might seem backstagish – but hey, its all about the music

Hope u enjoy......

Note: “we” here means Laura and Taija, Mike’s comments are added

We were supposed to go to the Arena about 10 pm (Mike wanted to have a good nights sleep and meet the DC crew – Thierry, Sebastiaan, Edwin, Sara, Peter and Kieets). Marijke told the people already there that we had missed our train and would be there when we could. They hold spots for us, and we got numbers 10 and 11 on the list. We finally got there about midnight – we were picked up from the tram station by Marijke and a guy, and took our places. Since sleeping outside the Amsterdam Arena is forbidden, we had our own security guard for the fc members there for the night.

Marijke stayed up all night taking care of the list while we got about five hours sleep in our 2-in-1 sleeping bag (note from Mike: “Seeing these two struggle out of one sleeping bag in the morning is one of the funniest things I’ve seen”).

Marijke, Carola and Inge did a terrific job with the fc arrangements. Every single fc member there owes them a huge thankyou – as everything ran smoothly and worked out perfectly.

Day went by quickly, as it wasn’t too hot (like in Mannheim). We got to meet a lot of great people, some we’d met in Mannheim and some new faces. Thierry, Sebastiaan and Edwin came over to say hi to us in the afternoon, it was great to meet them although it was very brief. We passed the time by talking to the people, and playing cards. Some of the German fans joined us for the game, it was fun!

We were told by someone that there is no curfew for the Arena, and keeping in mind what happened in Vienna and Mannheim with the band breaking the curfew, we made a new banner saying “There’s no curfew here tonight, Jon”.

Mike met Sara and Peter at about 2.30 and waited in the GA queue. At around 3:0 the queue stood up and crushed together. Thierry and co arrived about 3:30 and managed to get ahead in the queue, after meeting Laura and Taija. We were let in just after 5:00, and Thierry saved us a place about 12 people back from the edge of GA.

Just before we were let in, Carola announced no cameras were allowed. Every girl in the line hid their cameras in their bra, and got them in.

Doors opened around four, and we got our wristbands at the entrance. We walked in three by three or four by four – there was no pushing and everyone behaved. There was some confusion as to where to go, but Kevin came out and told us exactly where he wanted us to go.

We were organised in a line until everyone was in place. Marijke and co. had to work hard with the list, but seeing the line move inside in a calm way, it was great.

Then we were led into the pit – we got front row right between Jon and Richie. Excellent spot!!

There was plenty of space in the pit, as it wasn’t nearly full. We were able to sit down, and we went and got ourselves some drinks from the back of the arena, our places were kept. Amazing! As we were sitting there, waiting for the concert to begin, sipping our beer, we thought it funny, we thought we had walked into the Amsterdam Arena, but ended up in heaven!

As it got to the time to stand up in the first row, Taija and Laura were a bit worried about their places – we were situated right in the corner, and the platform on which to stand was located so that we only got one and half feet on that. We thought that we could not jump up and down (editorial comment: proved not to be true later – we didn’t even notice the discomfort during Bon Jovi).

The support act started on time. They were nothing too special, but Laura gives them points for courage. Many of the crowd knew some of the songs and were singing and clapping along. “But were glad when they finished,” Mike says.

Bon Jovi started at 8:27 right after a song from Avril that never seemed to end. This time, we were warmed up right from the start! The band were in an awesome mood again “and were smiling constantly”, say Laura and Taija). Also, the crowd all through the stadium were really lively and bouncing around all through the setlist, “even though it was very hot,” says Mike. “First thing I noticed was the great clothes Jon was wearing,” Taija says. “The first thing I noticed was Jon flashing The Smile – and I was sold!” says Laura. Mike shakes his head.

After Wild in the Streets, we were swept off our feet – I believe was a great surprise! At the start of the show, Thierry and co held up a banner saying “Show some balls and play I believe”. Well, as far as Laura and Taija noticed, Jon didn’t actually show his balls, but they did play the song for them! Mike and the bunch went crazy, and everyone around them gave them funny looks as they were jumping and screaming. The version lasted for ages, and Jon did a solo at the end. They also got the audience involved in the song with the yeahs and the whoas.

As in Mannheim, the audience was very much into I’ll be there. After the song, we kept chanting whoa, and Jon played the chords and sang the “I’ll be there for you” bit once again. We three think that this will happen all the time from now on. Also, the whole audience did Jon’s scream when Richie was playing. David’s backing vocals weren’t as strong in this version s in Mannheim.

After that, Blaze of Glory followed. The entire audience came alive with this song, and everyone was screaming the opening verse (including us!). “This song has been one of the best received in Europe so far,” Mike says.

In the beginning of Runaway, Jon was by Tico’s drums. Laura and Taija held up their curfew banner. Jon noticed it, and gave us a shocked look, drawing back, and then flashing the smile – WOW! People around us from like two rows back were patting our shoulders, telling us he noticed our banner.

One of the great surprises of the concert was when Keep the Faith (yet again a great version with great rock screams) blended into Sympathy for the devil. Great!

Rocking all over the world saw us go crazy – that was totally unexpected, and it just blew us away! What a great song for the encore, Twist’n’shout wasn’t missed!

Taija and Laura kept warning the people around them before the concert started that once they hear the magical words “two, three, four” they’d better watch out. And when Jon screamed them, we went mad, once again. But it was in the chorus that we went absolutely mental. Jon came to stand right in front of us, and for the entire chorus was looking into Taija’s, Laura’s and Cathrin’s (sp?) eyes, one at the time, going back and forth. We played it cool, and jammed with him. Laura saluted Jon, and he gave the gesture back. It was when he left us that Taija and Laura started crying hysterically. People around us were patting and hugging us, comforting us. It took us a while to recover, we were just shaking and gasping for breath. It was the most amazing feeling ever, and especially in that song. WOW!!!!

What an amazing concert… “I thought nothing could top Mannheim, but this show just did!” Laura says.

Mike: I didn’t enjoy this concert as much as Mannheim –maybe because I wasn’t front row But I believe really was amazing!! & Thierry & Co r crazy!! I didn’t get quite the energy as Mannheim (although 4th show in 7 days) & Richies guitar seemed quiet. But still an amazing show – the crowd were really into it.

BOUNCE
YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME
WILD IN THE STREETS
I BELIEVE
LIVIN' ON A PRAYER
EVERYDAY
UNDIVIDED
KEEP THE FAITH
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
IN THESE ARMS
IT'S MY LIFE
MISUNDERSTOOD
RUNAWAY
JOEY
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU (Richie on lead vox)
BLAZE OF GLORY
HOOK ME UP
BORN TO BE MY BABY
I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD
ROCKIN' ALL OVER THE WORLD
RAISE YOUR HANDS

Encore:
CAPTAIN CRASH & THE BEAUTY QUEEN FROM MARS
JUST OLDER
BAD MEDICINE
SHOUT