Review: Bon Jovi @ SPAC 7-22-13

Bon Jovi and Kings of Suburbia partner to have a blast at SPAC

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Rock superstar group Bon Jovi took a break from playing football stadiums and dropped in at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Monday night with some of the band’s biggest hits, along with a new look and sound throughout the night.

Conspicuously absent from the stage was Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, who left the band in April citing “personal issues,” but in his place, the packed inside seats and capacity lawn patrons were treated to a summertime marriage — something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue(s).

Instead of an opening band that most concert-goers ignore until the headliners come out, Jon Bon Jovi filled the stage with “his friends from New Jersey,” the Kings of Suburbia band, asking the audience to pretend that they are at a big beach party.

The old never disappointed at SPAC as hits like “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Born to be my Baby” and “It’s My Life” kept the fans on their feet and their hands in the air with every request from the New Jersey front man.

Including in Monday night’s set were new songs from the band’s latest production, “What About Now,” including “Because We Can,” “What About Now?” and “The Fighter.”

Borrowed for the current tour is guitarist Phil Xenidis, filling in for the absent Sambora, along with the mesmerizing Lorenza Ponce on violin and female backup vocalist.

The blues were nothing but positive as the Kings of Suburbia allowed Jon Bon Jovi to show that his on-stage talent is not limited to looks and lungs. He strutted along during cover renditions of Wilson Picket’s “634 5789” and brought the house down with Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll” to close the encore.

Kings of Suburbia, led by guitarist Bobbie Bandiera, opened the evening with “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and its four-piece brass section couldn’t have set the bar any higher for the remainder of the show.

Jon Bon Jovi quickly took center stage with the Kings of Suburbia to cover the J. Geils Band “(Ain’t Nothing But A) House Party” before his Bon Jovi bandmates took center stage with “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Born to be my Baby,” along with “It’s My Life.”

The Kings of Suburbia returned for a jaw-dropping cover of the Queen and David Bowie duet “Under Pressure” followed by a Leonard Cohen cover of “I’m Your Man.”  

While all quality songs, the trio quieted the SPAC crowd to the point that their interest began to wane as their focused move to their cell phones rather than the show on stage.

The adrenaline began to pump again with the Kings of Suburbia’s cover of “Pretty Woman” and Jon Bon Jovi returned for its cover of The Box Tops’ “The Letter.”

The headliners returned for “Born to Follow” and “Who Says” that got the crowd jumping, screaming and singing along.

The Kings of Suburbia made their mark on Saratoga Springs with their cover of The Who’s “Baba O’Reilly.” The signature keyboard beginning had fans turning their heads in amazement to what was about to be played in front of them.

With Jon Bon Jovi just supplying guitar back-up, Bandiera amazed the audience with his powerful voice, but it was Ponce who stole the show with her spectacular finish to The Who’s teenage anthem, mesmerizing the audience with her bow earning her an ovation reserved for rock drum solos.

The show continued through a strong finish with “Bad Medicine” before Bon Jovi returned for its rock anthem hits “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “Living on a Prayer.”

The Kings of Suburbia returned for Picket’s 634 5789 before the two bands jammed through Seger’s “Old Time Rock & Roll.”

The combination of Bon Jovi and The Kings of Suburbia didn’t disappoint the capacity crowd at SPAC Monday night and showed that the Superman of New Jersey, Jon Bon Jovi, still has the lungs and looks of a rock superstar but continues to surprise his fans with his appreciation for music old and new.

Source

Sounds like Saratoga Springs got one hell of a show.   Tonight they're playing at Darien, New York, just a 45 minute drive from my front door.  Too bad I can't go.  After this, I really wish I was able to make it.  Being a grown up sucks sometimes.  *Sigh*

Whomever of you go, I hope you have a rockin' good time.

~ Q

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Review: Bon Jovi @ Ford Field, Detroit MI 7-18-13

Bon Jovi thanks Detroit for 30 years of excitement, gives fans at Ford Field plenty on innovative stage

DETROIT, MI - There was no better time in Detroit than Thursday night at Ford Field to hear some Bon Jovi.

Classic like "Livin' on a Prayer," "Bad Medicine" and "Keep the Faith" seemed fitting on the day this city made history by becoming the largest American municipality to pursue bankruptcy.

Less than three hours after news of Detroit's headline-grabbing financial mess swirled across the country, a sold out crowd of at least 50,000 downtown appeared eager to be sent back in time to better days.

"I want thank you for 30 years," yelled the 51-year-old energizer, who started his career in 1983. "... and your patience."

John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.,definitely provided plenty of nostalgia, and also state-of-the-art stage spectacle with a larger-than-life classic 1959 Buick Electra for fans that needed 8,500 amps to power lights, audio, video and motion control.

The first half the show seemed a bit echoey and dull, but that didn't appear to be Bon Jovi's fault.

It just seemed to take a while for the crowd of what appeared to be mostly 40 and 50-somethings to get going and pay attention.

By the time Bon Jovi delivered "Runaway," at about 10:15 p.m., he got most to stand on their feet.

Then he ripped through several more hits like "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" and the encore song "Wanted Dead or Alive," before ending with "Living on a Prayer."

"Let's pretend Ford Field ain't nothing but a big ol' bar," he screamed before a third round of the "Bad Medicine" chorus started up, part of a 22-song setlist.

It made sense that Bon Jovi's show at Ford Field got better with time.

He's still so good as a grown man these days - one that looks better than most of those half his age - that there's plenty to give in the future.

When Bon Jovi simply yelled "Yeah!," the same way he did on all those songs back in the 80s, I couldn't help but recall how geeked I was to buy "Slippery When Wet" via cassette tape in 1986 (I was a second grader at the time) at the Meridian Mall in Okemos, Mich. - with my own money.
It was one of my first music purchases, and when I hear the songs on that album, especially "Raise Your Hands," it takes me back to the fun era of rock I grew up with.

"That's what I'm talking about," Bon Jovi yelled during "Keep the Faith. "You gotta keep the faith, baby!"

Detroit certainly does at a time like this, and it sure was nice to be reminded by a master.

A look at the entire Bon Jovi setlist for the show (in order):
That's What the Water Made Me
You Give Love a Bad Name
Raise Your Hands
Born to Be My Baby
Lost Highway
It's My Life
Because We Can
What About Now
We Got It Goin' On
Keep the Faith
(You Want to) Make a Memory
Bed of Roses
Runaway
Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars
We Weren't Born to Follow
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (with cover of Martha and the Vandellas "Dancing in the Street")
Bad Medicine (with cover of Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman")
Encore
Wanted Dead or Alive
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Have a Nice Day
Livin' on a Prayer

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Another Show Added...

The Tour is growing...

Bon Jovi to perform in Mexico City in September

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC | 28 de mayo de 2013

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Mexico City, May 28 (EFE).- The U.S. rock group Bon Jovi will perform Sept. 10 at Mexico City's Foro Sol, a venue that holds almost 60,000 people, organizers said.

 

The band, led by vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, will give its recital as part of its current world tour dubbed "Because We Can-The Tour," Ocesa Entertainment, a company that has staged big concerts in Mexico, said in a statement.

This will be the group's second concert at Foro Sol after appearing there in 2010.

The New Jersey quartet has shown itself to be one of the bands that offers "the best live rock shows this year," Oceso Entertainment said.

Bon Jovi has racked up more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries before more than 35 million fans throughout his career.

As part of "Because We Can-The Tour," Bon Jovi will perform songs from his new album "What About Now," which adds yet more titles to his imposing repertoire of hits, including "Livin' on a Prayer," "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Who Says You Can't Go Home," "It's My Life" and many more.

It is estimated that during his musical career he has sold more than 130 million copies of his discs.

Advance ticket sales for Mexico will be next June 3-4, with direct sales starting on June 5 through Ticketmaster and the Foro Sol box offices.

Source

Don't you just love how the Article says "His" when referring to the Band.  It should be "They/Their(s)" shouldn't it?  David and Tico and Richie (whenever he comes back, and don't get me started on THAT whole situation) aren't just Jon's back up band, they (the four of them) are a unit and should be referred to as such, don't you think?

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Tampa FL - Livestream

If you can't go to the show Friday night, you can watch the live stream at BonJovi.com!

Watch live concert stream from Tampa this Friday!

Join us LIVE from Tampa Bay Times Forum this Friday night, March 1st! Fans around the world can tune in and watch Bon Jovi the first 30 minutes of our show in Tampa, FL live on stage from their very own computers.

Tune on Fri. March 1 at 7:30pm ET (New York) / Sat. March 2 12:30am GMT (London) / 9:30am JST (Tokyo) on BonJovi.com to enjoy the experience from Tampa!

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Review: Bon Jovi @ First Niagara Center, Buffalo, NY 2-24-13

So, Queenie made it to her first concert (and maybe her last, but the jury is still out on that) of the tour.  When I heard the boys were actually coming to Buffalo I was sure I heard wrong.  They haven’t played there since the HAND Tour.  And when I saw when they were coming, well, I was nearly positive I wasn’t going to go.  You see, Mr. Q and I are going on vacation in two short weeks and I didn’t want to lay out the $$ for the tickets and leave us short on vacay funds. 

But, for once, luck was on my side.  The radio station I listen to at work all day, every day was giving away tickets back at the end of January.  So, being the persistent little bitch that I am, I tried every day.  I had a chance three times a day for the entire week.  I won my pair during the lunch hour on that Friday.  I very nearly gave up and hung up the phone but then, lo and behold, the DJ answered the phone, gave the call letters for the station and what do you know?  I was caller 20.  To say I was a little excited was the understatement of the century.  I never win anything.  And that’s exactly what Mr. Q said when I told him I had won the tickets.  “But you don’t win anything!”  Yeah, that’s the love of my life always got my back.  LOL

Anyway…

As concert day drew closer, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, then I started seeing reviews and videos and setlists from the first few shows.  I was not impressed.  Yes, I like the new songs, but other than that, it seemed like the Greatest Hits Tour Redux.  And last night’s setlist was just that.  The greatest hits with a few new ones thrown in just to appease the fans who shelled out the cash to fill the seats.  I can imagine it has to be hard to push the new songs if people don’t know them, but you’re touring for the NEW album, play the NEW songs.  We got five of them.  Because We Can, That’s What the Water Made Me, What About Now, Army of One and Amen.  And really, he could scrub Who Says and my feelings wouldn’t be hurt at all, but it gets the crowd going and I suppose that’s the point of playing it.  That and he’s totally enamored with it.

You can find the complete setlist on the BecauseWeCanTourBlog. 

There wasn’t anything spectacular, save Richie’s solos, the totally awesome jam at the end of Keep the Faith and the beauty that was Amen.  And I have to say, I’m pretty sure everyone had their eyes (read that cameras/phones) trained on Jon, but if they had chanced a glance at the stage, that would have seen what I saw.  Richie was perched on a stool with his acoustic, bathed in a soft spotlight totally immersed in the song.  I wish my seats had been closer (we were up in the rafters – what do you want, they were free?!) and I had brought my camera.  Hopefully one person managed to get a shot of that (I have one and I posted it here, but it’s from my phone and it’s not all that good).  Richie just totally blows me away every time I see him play.

 

 

Jon moved around a bit last night.  He climbed up the video screens when they came up out of the stage like stairs and entertained the crowd behind the stage.  He had some kind of interaction with a fan when he was out on the circle.  It ended up with him sticking his tongue out at the person and him saying “I’m too old for that shit” or something to that effect.

Someday I’ll be Saturday Night was nicely done acoustically with Richie out there in the middle of the crowd, but then they headed back to the stage and Jon didn’t venture out that way again.  He stayed pretty close to center stage.  He seemed to be in a pretty good mood too.  Not very talkative but he seemed to be having a good time up there.   He got the crowd all riled up when he started shaking his tail feathers (his words).  I think I’m still deaf from the woman behind me screaming like a banshee every time he did.

Oh, as a little sidebar, I’m pretty sure we had the youngest ever concert attendee in the row in front of us.  The little guy couldn’t have been more than 2 months old.  Yes, you read that right 2 MONTHS old.  Poor little guy.  We couldn’t believe the parents brought baby with them.  They did have earplugs for him, but still, the germs floating around in there alone are reason enough to keep the baby at home for crying out loud!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled review…

Okay, okay, let’s see, I told you about my tickets, my seats, the setlist, the stage antics, oh yes.  Merchandise.  Yeah, I didn’t buy anything.  I might have given up $20 for a program, but no way was I going to spend $50 for an ugly-ass t-shirt that I would only wear to sleep in.  Not happening.  Other people did, but I was content to keep my $$ in my wallet and save it for a rainy day.  Maybe down the line they will have some better stuff, but until they do, I’ll be hanging on to my hard earned dollars.  Thank you very much.

So, for a free (save parking and dinner and one $7 beer) concert, it wasn’t bad.  I think after the album comes out and I have a chance to listen to all the songs, I may have a better idea if I want to actually spend my hard earned dollars and go see another show.  Maybe by this summer the setlists will be better.  And maybe next time I won’t be up in the rafters and have to sit the entire time.  Yes, you’re eyes are not playing tricks on you, you read that right.  I sat for the entire show last night.  That’s never happened before and I really didn’t care for it, but I didn’t want to chance taking a header over the railing and becoming a spot on the concrete below.  It was better all around for me to stay sitting down.  Trust me.   

And, if you find this review a bit on the snarky side, I apologize.  A late night and an early morning make Queenie a little cranky.  And maybe my feelings about the show would have been different if my seats had been different.  Like the guy we watched in the pit.  He was having a kick ass time down there and we all knew it.  He was not a small guy by any means, and he was shaking ALL that his momma gave him last night.

That’s the way to enjoy a show. 

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Review: Bon Jovi @ Consol Energy Center 2-21-13

From the Post-Gazette:


Fiery Bon Jovi keeps faith in spirited set at Consol Energy Center

On Bruce Springsteen's last visit to Consol Energy Center, the 63-year-old rocker, behaving like a grunge kid, jumped into the crowd from the center walkway and body surfed his way back to the stage.

Jon Bon Jovi has been known to take a few cues from The Boss, and he had his own walkway, but he wasn't about to do THAT. Not only would it wreak havoc on his hair, his largely female following, judging from the woman rubbing his leg, may not have let him back out in one piece. The frontman -- hitting the stage in what looked like a Captain America outfit -- maintained a safer distance and kept the sweat quotient down over a two-plus-hour Thursday night at Consol.

For whatever reason, they say it's intentional, Bon Jovi is doing things backward on this tour, playing shows prior to the release of its new album, "What About Now." That meant an infusion of new songs, most of which sounded like the soundtrack to a motivational book that could have been called "What About Now" or, perhaps, the title of the first single, "Because We Can."

The title track and the single "Army of One" (with a bit of Kings of Leon in the vocal) were all formula Bon Jovi anthems that pounded home the message of "this world is cracked and crazy," but we can all make it, because we can, and let's do it now. As a change of pace, "Amen" was as gentle as a Leonard Cohen ballad, and the hard-rocking "That's What the Water Made Me" grabbed the angular riff from David Bowie's "Heroes," not a bad song to emulate. The title, he said, referred to the [hard time] they get for being from Jersey, not New York.

"I hope you liked it," he said humbly after a couple of the new ones.

Bon Jovi spared the expense on pyro and put it into a stunning set created by Moment Factory, which designed Madonna's lavish tour and also made it rain during fun.'s recent set at the Grammys. Behind the band were giant hexagon-shaped video pillars that moved like a living organism. They came and went quite spectacularly and likely weren't a big hit with the people sitting behind the stage.

New songs aside, there were 20-some spots open for greatest hits and other favorites from the band's remarkable 30-year run, starting with the breakout '86 hit "You Give Love a Bad Name." The "Slippery When Wet" album, a clear favorite in the catalog, also served the band with its steel-horse cowboy classic "Wanted Dead or Alive" and the rousing showstopper "Livin' on a Prayer." If you like that one, there's no way you don't like the similar "It's My Life," an early entry in the set.

From the hair metal heyday of the '80s, the fans also got "Bad Medicine" (with Terrible Towel twirl), "Born to Be My Baby," endless power ballad "I'll Be There for You" and the band's beloved maiden single "Runaway" (with a funny shout-out to WDVE).

Those unlikely few who may have jumped on board during the country-rock tangent, "Lost Highway," were treated to that title track and "Whole Lot of Leavin'," during which Jon Bon Jovi added the line "We ain't Justin Bieber anymore." "We Got it Goin' On" was reimagined with a crushing Metallica riff.

At nearly 51, Bon Jovi hasn't lost much in the looks or vocal department, and his longtime mates guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan and drummer Tico Torres, with two sidemen, are a seamless unit, with occasional punch.

Mr. Sambora doesn't get a lot of points for innovation, but he stepped forth with many a screaming solo, like the killer one on the extended soul banger "Keep the Faith," and drove the band hard during the steamrolling encore set, complete with "Have a Nice Day" and "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night."

The hair-band roots and derivative songs have a lot to do with Bon Jovi not winning the respect of critics, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Super Bowl halftime people, etc. But put the boys in a packed arena filled with adoring fans and they know how to show them a spirited and tuneful good time.

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Bon Jovi on the Road Again...

ANNOUNCING Because We Can - The Tour Bon Jovi fans - get ready! We are bringing our rock 'n' roll show back to the people,  hitting the road in 2013 to fill stadiums and arenas worldwide! Because We Can - The Tour will kick off with a string of Canadian dates, beginning on  February 13th, 2013 in Montreal and continuing on to Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Calgary  and Winnipeg. Stay tuned to BonJovi.com for more tour announcements in the coming weeks.  It's going to be a wild ride!

CANADA PRE-SALES FOR BACKSTAGE JBJ MEMBERS BEGIN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 Beginning Friday, October 26 at 10:00AM Local Venue Time, members of Backstage JBJ will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets and Backstage JBJ VIP Packages for Bon Jovi 2013 tour dates. Visit BonJovi.com for more details on how you can get exclusive access to pre-sale tickets, general on-sale information and more details about Because We Can - The Tour. Pre-sales beginning on Friday, October 26 at 10:00AM Local Venue Time:

Date	Location	Venue	Pre-Sale Tickets
February 13	Montreal, QB	Bell Centre	Buy Tickets
February 20	Ottawa, ON	Scotiabank Place	Buy Tickets
April 2	Calgary, AB	Saddledome	Buy Tickets
April 3	Edmonton, AB	Rexall Place	Buy Tickets
April 5	Winnipeg, MB	MTS Centre	Buy Tickets

Pre-sale beginning on Saturday, October 27th, at 10:00 AM Local Venue Time:

Date	Location	Venue	Pre-Sale Tickets
February 17	Toronto, ON	Air Canada Centre	Buy Tickets

Pre-sale tickets and VIP Packages are available exclusively for Backstage JBJ members. If you are not already a member, or need to renew your membership, visit BonJovi.com/Join. For more details on Backstage JBJ Exclusive VIP Packages, visit BonJovi.com/VIP To purchase Backstage JBJ Pre-Sale Tickets & VIP Packages 1. Join or log in to Backstage JBJ 2. Go to the Pre-Sales tab or the VIP Packages tab on the Tour Page. 3. Click the "Buy Pre-Sale Tickets" link or the "Buy VIP Packages" link for the event of your choice at the pre-sale start time.    GET YOUR BACKSTAGE JBJ TRAVEL PACKAGES TO TORONTO BROUGHT TO YOU BY RUNAWAY TOURS Turn your concert experience into an unforgettable getaway with a Runaway Tours travel package! You are invited to a very special trip to Toronto from February 16-19, 2013. This travel package goes on sale Friday, October 26th, 2012 at 10:00 AM EDT. This trip includes: 3 Nights Hotel Accommodations - Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto Tickets to the Concert Photo Op With JBJ Welcome Cocktail Party Pre-Show Party Special Surprise Fully Escorted By Our Staff Don't miss out on this opportunity to travel and meet up with other fans!

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