Review: Bon Jovi at Palace at Auburn Hills, Detroit

From the Detroit News:

Bon Jovi rocks through old and new tunes

Bon Jovi opened its sold-out concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday with "Blood on Blood," a 22-year-old song cut from the "New Jersey" album.

And you know what? They can do that. Having outlived several major sea changes in music over the last few decades, the New Jersey four-piece has proved its durability and lasting power to several generations of fans. So "Blood on Blood" -- a song about brotherhood, loyalty and the endurance of friendship -- made perfect sense, and the more than 18,000 fans greeted it with open arms.

Bon Jovi bounced between newer material and songs from the band's deep catalog Wednesday, performing on a circular stage positioned at the back of The Palace. The stage allowed for 360 degrees of seating, and the band gave it up to all sides of the arena, with high-tech video screens that attached and detached like Legos and five video screens positioned on robotic arms that transformed into a walkway for lead singer Jon Bon Jovi.

Jon was in high spirits Wednesday, challenging his band to perform an impromptu rendition of the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" and apologizing to the crowd for flubbing the words during Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." "I don't deserve that, but thank you," he said when the crowd showered him with cheers after the song.

Midshow, with his guitarist Richie Sambora in tow, Jon made his way to the center of the half-circle catwalk that extended into the audience for a several-song suite, including a stripped-down "I'll Be There for You."