BON JOVI FTW \o/

[erilyn]

I can die happy. I've heard "Blaze of Glory" live. And while there are Bon Jovi songs I love more, it was Jon's Blaze of Glory album that really got me listening to the band (yeah, I rather liked the Young Guns movies *g*).

The atmosphere at Acer Arena was fantastic. veronamay, lydia_petze and I were right up in the rafters, but honestly, it didn't matter, it was just so fucking awesome to see them (plus, both concerts sold out really quickly, rear view and everything, so we were lucky to get seats at all). The concert started bang on 8:30pm, and didn't finish til about 11:10pm. With not many breaks. Now that's a show.

Great setlist, good mix of old and more recent, with a surprising amount of covers (only Glad All Over and Hallelujah were done in full though). Shout and Dancing in the Streets really got people dancing. Beautiful rendition of Hallelujah. As you'd expect, some of the big classic songs like Bad Medicine and Living on a Prayer etc went OFF, but the response to the tracks from the most recent album were pretty good too.

Jon's legs are made of rubber and springs. He spends more time bouncing than doing anything else, apart from singing and playing guitar. Being an enormous ham would come close behind. He doesn't tend to do literal choreography, preferring to go for more abstract interpretative dance poses. Before Runaway, he took us all in his time machine (which came equipped with seat belts for all) and counted back down through the years to 1982, and described himself telling the radio dj to play their song, and how he was going to be a rockstar! However, his rockstar pose looked a lot like ballet to me :) He also loves to shake his ass, and to shake maracas even more. His voice sounded in great form, and lasted the long night well.

Richie always looked like he was just having a brilliant fun time. Especially when he pulled out the DOUBLE GUITAR. And the long lilac leather pimp coat towards the end was just awesome, plus some sillyish hats. He sang "These Days" and it was great. Tico Torres is looking good, I gotta say. And David's hair cracked me up everytime he was on the screen (which was a lot - they didn't shortchange the rest of the band too much to focus on Jon, which was nice, it was well shot, which we needed *g*).

For Make a Memory, Jon was on a little sidestage half way along the arena on the opposite side to us, and he and Richie sang to each other. Then Richie joined him back there for I'll Be There For You. The Extended Mix. It just kept going and going (and I commented to lydia_petze that no one could remember how to end the song *g*). There was much snuggly mic sharing (at one point Richie snuck up behind Jon and had to tap him on the shoulder to get him to move over) and cracking each other up and back-to-back playing at various times. Though the cutest back-to-back was between Richie and their hot and awesome violinist, Lorenza Ponce, when she came up to share the front mic as well (after the shoulder tapping). All three were goofing around, then she and Richie were dancing around and playing, back to back.

As Jon came back to the main stage from the side, he was shaking/slapping hands in the crowd, and kissed one woman's hand. In a graceful move, perfectly shown on the big screen, she lent forward and kissed him on top of the head. He looked up, startled, but gave such a grin, and she got such a cheer (video). Top points to her :)

Glad All Over
Lost Highway
You Give Love a Bad Name
Raise Your Hands
Runaway
Radio Saved My Life Tonight
Blood On Blood
In These Arms
Knocking On Heavens Door
Blaze of Glory
Whole Lotta Leavin
Born To Be My Baby
We Got It Goin On
It's My Life
Bad Medicine / Shout
These Days (Richie)
Make a Memory
I’ll Be There For You
Bed of Roses
Have a Nice Day
Keep The Faith
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead / Jumpin Jack Flash / Dancing in the Streets
Who Says You Can’t Go Home
Livin On A Prayer
Encore: I'd Die For You
Hallelujah
Wanted Dead or Alive
I Love This Town

Comments

[lydia-petze.livejournal.com]

That's about when we got back, too - train as far as Strathfield, then the world's sweetest cabbie ;-)

Yeah, I only reported one of the three U2 concerts properly, it's amazing how fast you forget if you don't!

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

I'm pleased I forced myself to do posts on all three Backstreet concerts, it's nice to have it recorded properly. But so many things I haven't done good posts on, tis a shame.

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOrtFFdn0Os

Video of the head kiss! :D