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CONCERT REVIEW

GENRE: ROCK

VENUE: MILTON KEYNES BOWL

DATE: SUNDAY JUNE 11^TH 2006

 

With the casual ‘it should be ready by the 2020 FA Cup final’ attitude of the Wembley construction group, it was decided that The Milton Keynes Bowl would play host to BON JOVI as the band’s HAVE A NICE DAY TOUR drew to a close. As the last act to perform at the old Wembley, BON JOVI were scheduled to be the first to play at the new (a nice idea which didn’t quite go to plan). The well publicised failure of our national stadium meant that the band would not continue their European tour at a state of the art internationally recognised venue, but a rather odd shaped park. The Bowl itself is, well, just a large bowl and nothing more really. It’s a far cry from the comfort and atmosphere of the old Wembley. With no proper seating arrangement, the sloping green surrounding the stage was covered by fans whose comfort and view was determined by their ability to sprawl out and mark their territory.

 

The music kicked off with the winners of Virgin radio’s competition for Best Unsigned Band. Leeds based three piece SPIN, were introduced and it wasn’t difficult to see (or hear) why they have failed get a deal. Perhaps the most ironic track they inflicted on the crowd was the aptly titled Going Nowhere. In all fairness to SPIN they’ve only been going since September 2004, so there is time for some much needed tuning. However, for SPIN, this was undoubtedly their greatest musical moment to date; supporting one of the most famous rock acts in the world. I’m not suggesting that unsigned bands shouldn’t be given opportunities to showcase their musical talents, what I am suggesting is that a band which has been together for less than two years should not be on the same card as BON JOVI.

 

Fortunately, there was a sign that things were about to get better when post-grunge Canadians NICKELBACK took to the stage. They performed a number of releases which enjoyed success in the UK and US charts, such as Too Bad and Photograph before signing off with their signature track How You Remind Me. NICKELBACK’S energetic effort proved a respectable warm up for the main act, who the crowd were becoming increasingly arse numb for on the steep green.  However, this was rectified when BON JOVI finally appeared on stage. Reminiscent of their CRUSH tour in 2000, when they opened with THE CLASH classic London Calling, the band kick started their set with a cover of NEIL YOUNG’S Keep on Rocking in the Free World. The opening guitar rift alone was enough to cause 40,000 people to stand up and show their appreciation for the legendary New Jersey rockers. The band then began to perform tracks from their own impressive repertoire, starting things with You Give Love a Bad Name.

 

A top quality set which lasted over two and a half hours provided excellent value for money. Rather cleverly BON JOVI managed to satisfy every sub group of their fan base. Their hardcore eighties following were catered for with tracks such as Runaway and the ever requested Livin’ on a Prayer, while fans of their nineties era enjoyed Always and These Days. Post millennium fans of the band we’re treated to a number of tracks, including Bounce, It’s My Life and the newly released Who Says You Can’t Go Home. MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS Dancing in the Street and LULU’S Shout were surprise inclusions which were inserted into I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead and Bad Medicine respectively, ensuring their performance was both spontaneous and up beat.

 

In a concert which saw the lead singer thank the crowd for their support throughout the shambolic relocation of the event and having performed a high energy five track encore, BON JOVI have guaranteed themselves a full house for when they eventually return to Wembley Stadium. JG

 

Set List:

1.      KEEP ON ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD (Neil Young classic)

2.      YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME

3.      WILD IN THE STREETS

4.      CAPTAIN CRASH & THE BEAUTY QUEEN FROM MARS

5.      BORN TO BE MY BABY

6.      STORY OF MY LIFE

7.      BOUNCE

8.      I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD (with "Dancing in the Streets" inserted)

9.      RUNAWAY

10.  JUST OLDER

11.  IN THESE ARMS

12.  HAVE A NICE DAY

13.  WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME

14.  IT'S MY LIFE

15.  BELLS OF FREEDOM

16.  ALWAYS (acoustic version)

17.  I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU (electric version with Richie Sambora on lead vocals)

18.  EVERYDAY

19.  BAD MEDICINE (with "Shout" inserted)

20.  RAISE YOUR HANDS

21.  LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

 

Encore:

22.  BLOOD ON BLOOD

23.  WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

24.  THESE DAYS

25.  LAST MAN STANDING

26.  KEEP THE FAITH