Official July 23, 2010 HullabaLOU Music Festival

Thanks Becky!

I updated the final set list with those changes.

Flicker album from the HullabaLOU site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/5219507...66860552/show/
The first 12 are Bon Jovi.

It's funny that people seeing the same show can have such different perspectives. I thought Richie was on fire and so loose. His Wanted solo was one of the best I have heard live (he even hit the HAND solo/break/riff part dead on

Jon moved much more than I thought he would though he did favor the leg at times.

I thought Dierks didn't do the song justice but made up for it by the fact that he looked like I would look up there (happy to be singing with childhood heroes and just having a ball).

They all seemed to be smiling more than when I saw them in Nashville.

I agree. We thought Richie was fantastic and I didn't even remember for quite awhile about Jon's injury. I know the set didn't have any surprises or rarities or anything such as that, but I enjoyed it more than the last 2 or 3 I've been to in Nashville. From what I could tell the crowd was a lot more excited and into everything. We were in the D sections and everyone was on their feet and singing along to a lot more than just Prayer and the LH songs. Contrast that with Nashville and tickets in the same price range where people spend most of their time making trips for beer or sitting down during Keep the Faith. I just hope that the band noticed this, too, and that it won't be another 21 years before they come back.

Colleen and I are back from our 1164 mile trip to Kentucky. So here's our report. We started off with 4th row tickets but when we got there, they scanned them and told us to go to Will Call. We got there and found out our section didn't even exist. PANIC! We wound up getting downgraded to 14th row, but upgraded to dead center, so it all worked out okay.

I had a great view of Jon, was right in front of him. I thought he was really energetic and working the crowd well. He seemed happy and was giving it his all. I think he was actively trying to win over the non Bon Jovi fans in the audience. I did notice him giving to his leg a little bit, but nothing major. His voice sounded great. Colleen says, "Jon is amazing and he really read the crowd and he had people who had been standing in 100 degree heat all day up on their feet and dancing and having a good time. He's the ultimate frontman and no one else can compare."

I had a great view of Dave too. He also seemed energetic and happy. He had some great "rock and roll" expressions on his face and was really into playing. Colleen has nothing to say about Dave because she couldn't see him. LOL

I didn't have a very good view of Richie because there was a big guy in a blue and white Hawaiian shirt between me and him, but when I saw him on the big screen, most of the time he looked like, "Whatever." Colleen says, "To me, Richie was not interacting with the audience as much as he usually does, but he still looked good."

I could barely see Tico, so I don't really have any observations to give on him. Most of the time when I caught him on the big screen, it was a side view. Colleen says, "Ditto."

I was pleased with the set list except that they didn't play Love's the Only Rule. I was a little disappointed to not have Whole Lot of Leaving too but I knew not to expect a long show because of the confines of the festival. I was thrilled to hear Saturday Night (my fave) and Make a Memory (gorgeous vocals). I was ecstatic that they gave us Pretty Woman during Bad Medicine. Jon sounded fantastic and Bobby did a great job harmonizing. I loved I'll Be There for You. It's always been one of my favorite songs. I thoroughly enjoyed We Got it Going On and Keep the Faith too. Those songs rock live. When Dierks was playing earlier I had wished Jon would bring him out for Wanted so, needless to say, I was really pleased with that. I videotaped the song, but I have two problems with it--it has no sound when I hit play on my camera and I can't figure out how to download it from my camera to my computer. I guess I should have practiced making a video before now. Colleen says, "The look on Dierks' face was priceless. He couldn't believe where he was. It was so endearing and heartwarming to see him be a fan. I love when Jon gives people the chance to come up there and live a dream."

We was standing in line for an hour after the show waiting for a cab and enjoyed listening to people comment. Someone was saying that most of the time when you go see someone they don't sing as well live as they sound on CD, but that Jon sounded great. Most people were saying Bon Jovi was the best act of the night and that was pretty cool because I don't think this was a "Bon Jovi" crowd. There were actually empty seats in the VIP section during their set. And it was a bad joke, but I couldn't help but chuckle because someone who was not a Bon Jovi fan called Richie "Sam-bore-y'all." Colleen says, "Ha ha ha ha at Sam-bore-yall and adds that the guy who checked us out at the hotel told us he was hearing a lot of great things about Bon Jovi."

If anyone got any pictures of Jon and Dierks together, please share! I have soundless video and no pix.

http://www.countryweekly.com/dierks_...live/news/4890

Video of Wanted.

That it is godawful. The guy can't sing.

I looked up this thread because it was the last time I saw Richie with the band. I remember enjoying the show, but the heat and humidity were miserable. What I remember most about this show is standing in line for a cab and swearing I would never go to another outdoor show again for anyone. I've made one exception to that by seeing Keith Urban last summer in Alabama, but only because it was my birthday. It was hotter than Kentucky, but I didn't have to wait for a cab. Once more, I've sworn off outdoor shows.

Obviously, I didn't know it would be the last time I would see Richie with the band. Time really does go by quickly. It just makes me want to appreciate what is left. Every time you leave a show now, you know it might be your last. They are getting older. We are getting older. It could all come to a halt at any point. I'm fine with Richie moving on, but it all just drives home mortality for me. If I could do it again, I would actually have skipped this show because it was the most miserable I have ever been after a show in my life, including shows where I was sick with bronchitis.

I regret not paying more attention to Train who were also on the bill. I actually started liking them later on in their career.