So, had time to sort my own thoughts out on the shows I saw, and read some interesting and conflicting things on here. Thought I'd pop in my 2 cents.

First of all, let me start by saying I have seen Bon Jovi on tour since These Days, sometimes front row and sometimes in GA, and have never not enjoyed a show and have never felt let down by a show, period. Maybe I just don't have as high expectations as some people here, but when every other band I've seen (with the exception of INXS and Counting Crows) has fallen short of those expectations, then they can't be that low either. I'll also point out my wife Jude has been seeing them since the KTF tour, and has been to every major London/MK gig since 92 (except the 02 arena), and she feels exactly the same way.

Right, first off, Hampden:

It was the wettest day I've ever experienced at a show, and Jovi also seemed to start late. There's been a few comments about the short set, but it didn't feel that short, and I've never been in a crowd with such a charged atmosphere. Maybe we were all just so relieved when the band finally came on. Rockin' All Over The World got the party started straight away, and then we went into BTBMB and Lost Highway. Hampden was already bouncing and when Blaze began I lost it totally. This song got me into Jovi, and I was in the middle of the crowd roaring it out, but so was everybody else. It's the loudest I've ever heard that song sung by an enthusiastic stadium. I was also stunned because this band were playing the best I've heard them (and yes, that includes in 96. And as that was my 1st show I've always thought nothing could beat that.) When Richie began doing I'll Be There For You I moaned at my wife, because we've heard him doing this tons of times, but for the first time, it was actually great. He was as good as he was doing stranger in this town in 96 on his birthday. Dry County came on and I'd waited 12 years of seeing them live to hear this (I always seemed to miss it somehow), and it was truly one of the best performances I've ever heard. Always was also played and again first time I'd heard this since the These Days tour, and delivered just as good if not better. Also the very best version of Prayer I've heard. Jon started it with just an acoustic guitar and got the crowd to sing along before the band kicked in, and then the crowd sang forever at the end too. Hallelujah was a chilling performance, even though I actually don't see what's so good about the song. His vocals on it though one me over. When they played wanted I was worried it was going to close with that, and it's the one song that strangely felt like a wash out. For me, the crowd didn't feel into it at all. Weird, because it's usually one of the best. They finished with Bad Medicine though and that made it all go out with a bang.

Verdict: okay they didn't play anything from These Days but a set doesn't make a show. The best performance I've seen. 10/10

Fast forward a week and we have Twickenham. The last show and the most hyped...

Total contrast of a day, hot and sunny. Was much more pleasant waiting around and the band came on sharp. I was at the GA barrier this time rather than a few rows back and had a laugh with some of pals who were at the back of GC. Rockin' All Over The World started again and I was worried I would end up getting the hampden set all over again. So I was relieved when I heard them play we will rock you and realised they were changing whole lot of leaving for summertime. Thought it worked alright considering I don't rate the song much. When I knew it was time for Blaze again, I got excited. And then almost died when Jon started Blood Money. Never thought I'd hear that live, ever, and really is the perfect song to go before blaze. Any Other Day was another pleasant change and I quite enjoyed it. I Believe came out, and that was just thrillng. Richie did I'll Be There For You again. It was good, but not as good as the week before, and now he really does need to change up. Wanted again seemed weak for me and so did KTF. I've heard it done a lot better, with or without ad libs (my personal faves are the boom, boom, booms). I Love This Town was okay, but not great. When they ended with Twist & Shout there was a long delay before the lights came on and I really thought they would be back on. Someones said on here about the after party cutting the set short. I don't buy that because they had an after party at Hyde park and that gig lasted over 3 hours. I think the band wanted to come put again and either a strict curfew or half the GA crowd leaving stopped them.

Verdict: blood money and I Believe made the gig, but it was a solid 2 and a half hour show. The only let down is the hype everyone built up in their minds. That's our fault, not the bands. 8/10

Now people, the reality check... (to be continued)