This was probably the biggest gig I've seen in ChCh. 30,000 punters, many of whom were reliving their teenage years from the 1980's, packed into the half renovated Lancaster Park for two and a half hours of classic rock from one of the biggest acts on the planet.
Local band The Valves opened up and sounded highly proficient on the big stage. Brent Black is a dynamic frontsman, with shades of Jon Toogoood and the crowd seemed highly receptive to their short set. I'm expecting big things from these guys in the coming year or two.
It was still broad daylight as Jon Bon Jovi hit the stage and grinned like a teenage boy at the crowd. I'm pretty sure in another life he could be a televangelist.... complete with all American attitude and yes girls, those perfect teeth. Its no surprise to hear he's interested in running for public office in the future. Imagine the circus, Jon Bon Jovi vs Arnold The Governator anyone?
They opened the set with one of several new songs that they played from The Lost Highway album over the course of the night, each of which sounded solid enough, despite having received a few terrible reviews when the album came out. They stacked up well live.
The crowd participation began in full earnest second song in with "Shot Through The Heart", and in fact on many of the anthematic hits played the crowd sang so loudly it was hard to hear the band.
My personal highlights were a stonking version of "Runaway" from their first album, and a fantastic solo Richie Sambora rendition of "I'll Be There For You". Sambora may have an extra chin or two these days, but he reaffirmed my suspicion that he's one of the finest guitarists on the planet.
Pretty much all the Greatest Hits were played, with perhaps the exception of "Lay Your Hands On Me" and "Bed of Roses". Surprisingly a number of covers got thrown in, including "Knocking on Heavens Door", "Dancing in the Streets", and the final number "Twist and Shout". Some intriguing choices but all in all a fantastic gig.
And Jon Bon Jovi really suits the Crusaders jersey, which he wore for the encores (including "Wanted Dead or Alive"), and I understand it was presented to him by Richie McCaw himself. I'm sure theres a few ladies who would have liked to be in that room!
All in all I'll give it a 7.5 out of 10.
Local band The Valves opened up and sounded highly proficient on the big stage. Brent Black is a dynamic frontsman, with shades of Jon Toogoood and the crowd seemed highly receptive to their short set. I'm expecting big things from these guys in the coming year or two.
It was still broad daylight as Jon Bon Jovi hit the stage and grinned like a teenage boy at the crowd. I'm pretty sure in another life he could be a televangelist.... complete with all American attitude and yes girls, those perfect teeth. Its no surprise to hear he's interested in running for public office in the future. Imagine the circus, Jon Bon Jovi vs Arnold The Governator anyone?
They opened the set with one of several new songs that they played from The Lost Highway album over the course of the night, each of which sounded solid enough, despite having received a few terrible reviews when the album came out. They stacked up well live.
The crowd participation began in full earnest second song in with "Shot Through The Heart", and in fact on many of the anthematic hits played the crowd sang so loudly it was hard to hear the band.
My personal highlights were a stonking version of "Runaway" from their first album, and a fantastic solo Richie Sambora rendition of "I'll Be There For You". Sambora may have an extra chin or two these days, but he reaffirmed my suspicion that he's one of the finest guitarists on the planet.
Pretty much all the Greatest Hits were played, with perhaps the exception of "Lay Your Hands On Me" and "Bed of Roses". Surprisingly a number of covers got thrown in, including "Knocking on Heavens Door", "Dancing in the Streets", and the final number "Twist and Shout". Some intriguing choices but all in all a fantastic gig.
And Jon Bon Jovi really suits the Crusaders jersey, which he wore for the encores (including "Wanted Dead or Alive"), and I understand it was presented to him by Richie McCaw himself. I'm sure theres a few ladies who would have liked to be in that room!
All in all I'll give it a 7.5 out of 10.
1 comment:
No way 10/10 this concert rocked! easy best concert ive seen. Just wish they would come again Hope rest of tour goes off as well Jon was fantastic and that smile.....
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