Tuesday, June 28, 2011 Bristol Evening Post
ASHTON Gate stadium was transformed into a rock arena for one night as Bon Jovi swept through a greatest hits set in front of thousands of adoring fans.
An estimated 23,000 music lovers filled the pitch and three sides of the football ground last night to watch the American veterans play their second concert at the stadium.
It may have been a damp Monday night, but the band's supporters were sent into rock heaven as the multi-million selling four-piece belted out one crowd pleaser after another.
Fans thrust their arms into the air, danced and sang along as the New Jersey outfit performed their best-known anthems including Bad Medicine, It's My Life and You Give Love a Bad Name.
After shows at London's Hyde Park on Friday and Saturday, Ashton Gate, where Bon Jovi previously played in 2008, was the last UK date of their worldwide The Circle Tour.
Members of the audience lapped up every minute as Jon Bon Jovi put on an energetic performance, dashing to each end of the stage to wave to jubilant fans singing along to every word in the Dolman and Williams stands.
There was a roar from the crowd when the singer emerged up a flight of stairs and onto the stage at 7.30pm, shortly after his band mates Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres.
Dressed all in black with a trademark leather jacket, fans cheered as the frontman's familiar face appeared on three big screens, including a huge curved screen behind the stage.
Camera flashes glittered across the sea of people on the pitch before the band launched into their opening song.
Clearly enjoying himself, Jon Bon Jovi dispensed with his leather jacket before telling members of the audience in the stands, "This ain't a reality TV show, baby, get up out of your seats."
By the time the opening notes of You Give Love a Bad Name rang out, almost everyone was on their feet, throwing their arms towards the stage in unison and clapping their hands.
The band later showed they were no one-trick ponies by throwing in a cover of Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman into an extended version of Bad Medicine, leaving the crowd in raptures.
Among the Bon Jovi devotees at the gig were Scott Grant, 41, from Nailsea, his friend Michael Thresher, 43, from Long Ashton, and Scott's nephew Max Thompson, 16, from Chippenham.
Sporting a Bon Jovi tour T-shirt Mr Grant, who has seen the band live eight times before, said: "I've got all the albums and I've been watching them since the eighties.
"Richie Sambora is the main appeal – he's a brilliant guitarist."
Mr Thresher, a motor mechanic, said: "They're just a great rock band, play great tunes and have a great singer. And it's pretty much the original band."
Sitting in the Williams stand were Nicola and Colin McGee, 41 and 42, from Trowbridge.
Dressed in a specially-printed Bon Jovi T-shirt and a cap, Mrs McGee, said: "I've followed them since they started and went to the Hyde Park concert on Saturday.
"I like their style of music and the fact they appeal to people of all ages – from children right up to elderly people."
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