Mikes Wembley Review

Hi - Thought I'd write this now as I'll have forgotten it by the morning

Started off with Toploader (I know some of u r fans so I'll say a few words). I thought they were pretty good - better than last time I saw them. Dancing in the Moonlight doesn't hold up very well anymore, but the opener was good & I think the fourth song they did was brilliant (dunno whatits called though). They r also really good live performers whether your into their stuff or not.
Then Chris Tarrent appeared - in the PA bit about 8 rows directly in front of me. Wasted some time giving out a £1000 prize. Then a vid of Phil Collins was shown saying why he couldn't be there & they played a vid of one of his songs. Then came Paul Carrac, Mike Rotherford & the All Stars. I also thought these were good with some well known tunes (SAY It LOUD, SAY IT CLEAR - anyone?) They certainly went down well with the crowd anyhow, especially the last one they did - Looking back over my Shoulder.

Then came the Appletons (after some more Tarrant filler). I actually felt sorry for these when they went off. They put their heart & soul into the performance - which was good. However they didn't help themselves by not interacting with the crowd (maybe not used to a mature audience ) - Saying nothing before the first song, just standing there for a minute in silence. - Same again for the second with them just saying 'GO' to launch into the single. Anyhow - the reception for them wasn't great when they finished, a few polite applauses.

THEN came the event we were waiting for - Tarrant introduced them on the main stage (along with David Seaman - another cool surprise!). They started with LOAP, however when Jon started singing he wasn't on stage - Richie pointed towards the back, & then it clicked - he appeared in the PA bit where Tarrant had been presenting. Just 8 rows in front of me - Larger than Life). People were rushing down the aisle to get a piece of him, but I valued my life & decided to stay put He then went onto the main stage & they followed with Bad Name - A really energetic performance with Jon rarely going into the flat chorus he tended to lapse into (See Crush Tour DVD). Then Its My Life. Then they played 3 new songs (Undivided, Everyday, Bounce). Undivided was amazing. I thought it was goona be all slow - then Jon shouted Hey - Chucked his guitar to some random stage guy & it kicked off. On first hearing I was really impressed. Everyday didn't seem to quite work live. - Although maybe this was down to Richie's guitar - it seemed very flat to start with (out of tune?) Then it went Awol from the Chorus onwards. Bounce was another very energetic track - didn't hit me quite the same way as Undivided although sounded good & got us jumping around, will prob. need a few more listens though.
Then it was Keep the Faith - Jon actually hitting the 'U know your gonna live through the rain' note for the first time in a while (in fact his voice sounded in really good shape tonite - maybe its the arena). Again, the performance was V. energetic & great all round. Then Wanted, Then Bad Medicine / Shout.

I think I didn't miss one out. All in all then - predictable set list (But then it is a one off appearance of around an hour), although still as much fun - made all the better with really energetic performances all round & Jons voice really sounding good.
+ Bon Jovi sounded great in the Arena - Far better than in a stadium!

Oh yeah - & Jon was wearing the same top as he wore for the American Football stunts (I know there was a little discussion about that).
Also - Richies Great Britain Trousers were cool.

All I can say is: ROLL ON THE TOUR

Mike

Oh yeah - before I forget - CT said when introducing BJ that they were the greatest R&R Band in the World. Afterwards he said - 'Well I said they were the best R&R band - but that was amazing!!'

Also, I think I got Wanted & Faith the wrong way round.

Mike

WoooHooo! Thanks for the review! I felt sorry for the Appletons too, but lets face it they were boring!

I was sweating like a good'un when I came out but Jeez it was worth every Aaaarrrrgghhh!!!!!!!! ~lol~

What a night...wish it was tonight, and tomorrow, and the next day...! I could do that over and over every night and not get bored of it at all...plus it'd be very good keep fit!!! ~lol~

Roll on the Bounce tour! Oh...did you manage to get one of those card promotional things that was round the lamp-posts? I didn't unfortinatly

LittleRunway xxx

Little Runaway - As someone said in another review - the only downside to the evening was it had to end!! - If this is a taster for the tour, I can't wait!!

We were thinking of getting one of the promotional cards, but the guy was putting them up when we went past so we thought we'd wait, but forgot when we came out

Mike

Yer I managed to knick one of those promo posters wrapped around the lamp posts. I really wanted one and was talking to another girl I met from Gosport who wanted one too, so we decided to steel a couple. Lets face it I bet there wouldn't of been any left my the end of the evening.

you are a discrace to bon jovi fans i only hope the local police have the relevant cctv footage.

Sorry? It was the end of the night people were taking them down, they were about to get soaked cause it was kinda raining and they would go soggy anyway...there were lots oon the ground that people had dropped or had fallen off that were just tranpled on and looked a mess. The fans were effectivly stopping litter in the area, doing their part and taking away the cause!!! ~lol~

LittleRunaway xxx

thats quite ok little runaway i'd hate to think that bon jovi fans were breaking the law,i dont think jon would have been too pleased if crimes were being comitted!!!!!!!!!!!