04 July 2010 (gig)
04 July 2010
Not many bands could fill the O2 arena for a 12 night run - and even fewer could do it playing a different set every night. But then, Bon Jovi aren't most bands. While many bands these days aren't known for their longevity, New Jersey's finest have been going strong for more than 25 years. This shows in their performance - 10 shows into their residency, the band showed no sign of flagging.
To keep their performances fresh (and presumably more interesting for the band themselves), Bon Jovi set themselves the challenges of playing a total of 70 songs during their run at the O2. Given their vast back catalogue, the hardest thing must have been deciding which to play.
As a long-standing Bon Jovi fan, any show of theirs is a special event. However, on this night, the band had a little something extra up their sleeves. Five songs in, Jon announced that a friend would be joining them on stage. The atmosphere electrified as Sir Bob Geldof appeared on stage to reprise the duet of the Boomtown Rats' hit 'I Don't Like Mondays' last played at the old Wembley stadium almost 15 years ago to the day.
Despite being billed as 'The Circle tour' only a handful of songs from the band's latest album of the same name ('We weren't born to follow', 'Love's the only rule' and Happy now') made their way onto the setlist. Instead, throughout the two and a half hour long show, fans were treated to a veritable feast of hits. From the opening numbers 'You give Love a Bad Name', "Born To Be My Baby' and In These Arms', through to 'Captain Crash' and 'I Got The Girl' Bon Jovi well and truly rocked the O2. And as they interrupted 'Bad Medicine' to perform a cover of Rod Stewart's 'Hot Legs' followed by their well-rehearsed and oft-performed version of Lulu's 'Shout', there can't have been a single seat in use in the house.
From here, they slowed things down a little moving swiftly on to 'Bed of Roses' followed by 'Diamond Ring' and acoustic versions of These Days and Someday I'll be Saturday night.
However, the calmer atmosphere on stage didn't last for long. Soon enough, the band headed back to the main stage and launched back into rockier numbers including 'It's My Life' and 'Keep the Faith'. They then kept up this pace for the rest of the night, ending on the enduring classics 'Wanted Dead or Alive' and 'Livin' On a Prayer'.
One thing you can't argue with is Bon Jovi certainly know how to put on a show.
Setlist:
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
In These Arms
I Don't Like Mondays (with Bob Geldof)
I Got The Girl
Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Bad Medicine / Hot Legs / Shout
Love's the Only Rule
Lay Your Hands on Me - Richie Sambora on vocals
Bed of Roses
Diamond Ring
These Days - acoustic
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
Happy Now
It's My Life
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Keep the Faith
Encore:
Damned
Wanted Dead or Alive
Livin' on a Prayer
