Sunday, June 06, 2010

Bon Jovi, Royal Beach Concert, 5 June 2010

Scheveningen, NL, 5 June 2010


After releasing The Circle, Bon Jovi toured at many cities in USA and several consecutive nights at London. When first I heard a date for Holland, I did not directly believe it. Indeed it was true, Bon Jovi had planned to headline Royal Beach Concert at Scheveningen beach, Den Haag.

Surprisingly, I had been offered for pair of free tickets to the concert by very kind lady, who won a lottery and privileged for free tickets.

It was a nice sunny day when me and Tony (I got him from the whole gang of Bon Jovi fans who watched the previous concert) arrived at Scheveningen. We need to walk quite a distance to reach the concert area. From afar we could here Kane begun to perform.

Entering the area after ticket checkpoint, it was great atmosphere. Nice weather, sunny but breezy from the sea. People enjoyed the concert in various ways, some sang along and danced, some just sat or lied on the sand. Very relax audience.

I could enjoy bit of Kane performance, although not knowing many of their songs. After break and setting up the stage, exactly as being scheduled, at 5 Bon Jovi hit the stage.

They started the show with couple of new songs from The Circle. Then they rocked the beach with good old songs from Slippery When Wet and New Jersey era. Further on, the songs selection mainly consisted of upbeat songs. Personally I thought it was perfect with the condition where it was still bright and sunny. I don't think it was nice to listen to Bed of Roses or Always, for example.

Bon Jovi seemed to enjoy the show as well. At one point Jon commented it was rare moment for them to have a show in afternoon, on the beach with lots of nice girls.

Performance wise, Bon Jovi was good as usual. Tico was very tight and powerful in his tempo. David was cool behind his keyboards. Richie still rocked with his guitar sound and gave his nice second voice. Jon was energetic as always, moving to all corners of the stage without losing a key in his voice.

After Keep the Faith, they disappeared behind the stage for a while. When they're back, Jon announced the next song as a song they had not played live for a very long time. It was Only Lonely from their second album. I think the last time I heard that song was most likely around 15-20 years ago from my Bon Jovi tape.

They closed the show with their most favorite songs as usual, Wanted and Livin' on a Prayer. It was too bad that the show was ended only around 7. Even Jon said that we should just play and play until the next day.

It was a nice concert, unusual setting, very relaxing.

Set list:
Last Man Standing
We weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to be My Baby
Lost Highway
Raise Your Hands
We Got It Goin' On
When We were Beautiful
In These Arms
Captain Crash and Beauty Queen from Mars
Bad Medicine
It's My Life
Lay Your Hands on Me
I'll Sleep when I'm Dead
Runaway
Work for the Working Man
Rockin' All Over the World
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Keep the Faith
---------
Only Lonely
Wanted Dead or Alive
Livin' on a Prayer