6/24/10

Bon Jovi: GIG REVIEW: Bon Jovi at the O2

Finally!!! Music info. While Richie's Fashion road trip is fun, we love Bon Jovi for the music, RIGHT???  RIGHT!!!


It’s been way too long since I enjoyed an evening in the company of Jon & Co, so it was with great anticipation I took my seat at the O2 on night nine of their 12-night residency.

As the first chord struck I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed - it was just like we’d never been apart.

Ridiculed by the critics as inauthentic poodle rockers, Bon Jovi have proved after nearly 30 years together they can withstand the test of time, by delicately tweaking their image and adapting their style to draw in new generations along their journey.

Bon Jovi have never failed to impress on the entertainment front. As seasoned stadium performers they know how to work the crowd for maximum impact and within seconds of bounding onto the stage singer Jon is yelling to the masses to “get up out of your seats” before launching into one of their uproarious anthems.

Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald.

The band's line-up has remained mostly static during their 26-year history, the only exception being the departure of Alec John Such in 1994, who was unofficially replaced by Hugh McDonald.

Their enduring appeal is reflected by the crowd, packed to the rafters with children, teens, parents and pensioners alike all belting out the chorus with gusto while throwing that obligatory hand into the air at the appropriate moments like their life depends on it.

Why? Because somehow, Bon Jovi have this ability to completely entrance their audience.

A critic recently likened their performance to a religious revival – with 250,000 fans expected during their residency at the O2, that’s not a bad-sized parish for one city.

The band failed to disappoint fans with a string of their big numbers – including favourites Raise Your Hands, Born to Be My Baby, Keep the Faith and an excellent rendition of Bad Medicine peppered with some of their newer tracks, with Work for the Working Man among the more memorable.

The impressive set was sophisticated yet simplistic, giving an intimate feel when necessary and transforming into a stadium platform with the help of clever split and rotating stages.

At times though all the audience could enjoy was a mere flash of white teeth at the mic as close ups were often reserved for the screens serving fans sat in the highest seats.

Playing out to their greatest hit Living On A Prayer, I was left wishing I’d booked in for the full 12-night experience.

Bon Jovi are at the O2 until Saturday, June 26.

By Rachel Bibby

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