Bon Jovi Lost Highway Tour 2008
Amsterdam ArenA, 13 June 2008
Actually I had no desire to watch Bon Jovi in concert because I hadn't continuously followed their activities after Crush. Surely I still bought Bounce, Have a Nice Day, and even the not-really-right This Left Feels Right. I even have the nice 100 Millions boxset. But I wasn't really into their music anymore these days. Somewhere in my head I kept thinking that the Bon Jovi era was their first 6 albums. For me Crush was already on the edge.
The idea to watch the concert was coined by Fajar and back then it was directly agreed by two more friends. Another attractive point was that before the concert there would be football match on the big screen between Holland and France in the Euro 2008. First I was still doubting, since I also had no desire to watch the match on the big screen (what's the difference with my TV anyhow?). But then I thought, never mind, let's watch Bon Jovi. So we bought 4 tickets.
Then the plan was spread among more friends. Finally 4 more girls wanted to join, including Sri. So we bought 4 more tickets, luckily at the same seat section but just one different row.
For preparation, I tried to update myself on Bon Jovi. I couldn't get the latest album but luckily got the Lost Highway DVD. So I knew all the songs! The tour was already started in the US and from their website I got the setlists. Apparently they kept it slightly change so we could expect few surprises. The good news for me, mainly they played old songs.
When the day came, 5 of us arrived around 8 at the Amsterdam ArenA, the other 3 came later during the football match. We had plenty of time to queue, buy t-shirt (well, only me), toilet, and drink before we went to our seats. It was pretty good seat, not too high and not too far from the stage. They only sold the lower-half of the tribune seats because they placed wide screens facing the tribunes.
The atmosphere was like a football match. Lots of orange attributes. Then the match begun. As I expected, I didn't feel any difference than watching the match on my TV. Good thing was that Holland devastated France with wonderful goals.
After the match, all the lights off, then suddenly Jon, Richie, David, Tico, and Hugh appeared on the stage. Jon put on an orange shirt and they kicked in with Rockin' All Over the World.
After Lost Highway, they continued with Born to be My Baby, which is always my favourite. Then Jon screamed the most popular opening line...'Shot through the heart..and yours to blame..you give love.. a bad name..'. I think everybody stood and shouted together with him. Richie still rocked in this song, it reminded me to their glorious time with those long hairs.
Actually I had no desire to watch Bon Jovi in concert because I hadn't continuously followed their activities after Crush. Surely I still bought Bounce, Have a Nice Day, and even the not-really-right This Left Feels Right. I even have the nice 100 Millions boxset. But I wasn't really into their music anymore these days. Somewhere in my head I kept thinking that the Bon Jovi era was their first 6 albums. For me Crush was already on the edge.
The idea to watch the concert was coined by Fajar and back then it was directly agreed by two more friends. Another attractive point was that before the concert there would be football match on the big screen between Holland and France in the Euro 2008. First I was still doubting, since I also had no desire to watch the match on the big screen (what's the difference with my TV anyhow?). But then I thought, never mind, let's watch Bon Jovi. So we bought 4 tickets.
Then the plan was spread among more friends. Finally 4 more girls wanted to join, including Sri. So we bought 4 more tickets, luckily at the same seat section but just one different row.
For preparation, I tried to update myself on Bon Jovi. I couldn't get the latest album but luckily got the Lost Highway DVD. So I knew all the songs! The tour was already started in the US and from their website I got the setlists. Apparently they kept it slightly change so we could expect few surprises. The good news for me, mainly they played old songs.
When the day came, 5 of us arrived around 8 at the Amsterdam ArenA, the other 3 came later during the football match. We had plenty of time to queue, buy t-shirt (well, only me), toilet, and drink before we went to our seats. It was pretty good seat, not too high and not too far from the stage. They only sold the lower-half of the tribune seats because they placed wide screens facing the tribunes.
The atmosphere was like a football match. Lots of orange attributes. Then the match begun. As I expected, I didn't feel any difference than watching the match on my TV. Good thing was that Holland devastated France with wonderful goals.
After the match, all the lights off, then suddenly Jon, Richie, David, Tico, and Hugh appeared on the stage. Jon put on an orange shirt and they kicked in with Rockin' All Over the World.
After Lost Highway, they continued with Born to be My Baby, which is always my favourite. Then Jon screamed the most popular opening line...'Shot through the heart..and yours to blame..you give love.. a bad name..'. I think everybody stood and shouted together with him. Richie still rocked in this song, it reminded me to their glorious time with those long hairs.
Still from Slippery When Wet album, they played Raise Your Hands. This song was really good to raise the audiences' hands :).
Then they played their first hit ever, Runaway. I couldn't imagine that I still remember the songs in my head after more than 20 years and sing along just came out that easy.
During I'll Sleep when I'm Dead, Jon sang few lines from Jumpin' Jack Flash.
After another new song from Lost Highway, Jon introduced David Bryan on keyboards, whom then sang In These Arms in his barritone.
After that the stage was darkened and only Jon and Richie stood at the front. Jon announced that the song was never performed before on this tour, from These Days album...Diamond Ring. It's really a brilliant duet from them.
Always was the crowd's favourite, the whole stadium sang this song. Then they performed two songs from Crush followed with Someday I'll be Saturday Night, again another sing along song.
After that Richie extensively used the talk box in We Got it Going On. Then another big hit from Crush, It's My Life was performed. Not enough rocking, the deep intro of Keep the Faith was shocking the whole arena. It was amazing to see their stamina and energy.
After Keep the Faith, it was time for Jon to have a rest. Richie performed I'll be There for You. Surely he could sing so good.
Jon back on the stage and they played Blaze of Glory, followed by my other favourite song from New Jersey album, Blood on Blood.
Then they played some more recent songs, Have a Nice Day and the country style Who Says You Can't Go Home. In the last song we finally went home to catch the last train. It's a pity that we couldn't stay until the end of the show. While walking outside the arena I could hear Livin' on a Prayer sang by the crowd.
In general it turned out to be a very good concert. I really enjoyed the sing along part especially the old songs. Bon Jovi performed way above the standard, very energic and lively. Jon and Richie were still very attractive on stage. Tico Torres was very powerful with his drums. David did some nice solos on his keys during Keep the Faith.
The stage was quite simple with nice backscreens and also two side screens. The light show was also pretty simple, with some nice colors and audience shots. The sound quality of ArenA was bad as usual, although it was bearable after first couple of songs.
Then they played their first hit ever, Runaway. I couldn't imagine that I still remember the songs in my head after more than 20 years and sing along just came out that easy.
During I'll Sleep when I'm Dead, Jon sang few lines from Jumpin' Jack Flash.
After another new song from Lost Highway, Jon introduced David Bryan on keyboards, whom then sang In These Arms in his barritone.
After that the stage was darkened and only Jon and Richie stood at the front. Jon announced that the song was never performed before on this tour, from These Days album...Diamond Ring. It's really a brilliant duet from them.
Always was the crowd's favourite, the whole stadium sang this song. Then they performed two songs from Crush followed with Someday I'll be Saturday Night, again another sing along song.
After that Richie extensively used the talk box in We Got it Going On. Then another big hit from Crush, It's My Life was performed. Not enough rocking, the deep intro of Keep the Faith was shocking the whole arena. It was amazing to see their stamina and energy.
After Keep the Faith, it was time for Jon to have a rest. Richie performed I'll be There for You. Surely he could sing so good.
Jon back on the stage and they played Blaze of Glory, followed by my other favourite song from New Jersey album, Blood on Blood.
Then they played some more recent songs, Have a Nice Day and the country style Who Says You Can't Go Home. In the last song we finally went home to catch the last train. It's a pity that we couldn't stay until the end of the show. While walking outside the arena I could hear Livin' on a Prayer sang by the crowd.
In general it turned out to be a very good concert. I really enjoyed the sing along part especially the old songs. Bon Jovi performed way above the standard, very energic and lively. Jon and Richie were still very attractive on stage. Tico Torres was very powerful with his drums. David did some nice solos on his keys during Keep the Faith.
The stage was quite simple with nice backscreens and also two side screens. The light show was also pretty simple, with some nice colors and audience shots. The sound quality of ArenA was bad as usual, although it was bearable after first couple of songs.
Setlist:
Rockin' All Over The World
Lost Highway
Born To Be My Baby
You Give Love A Bad Name
Raise Your Hands
Runaway
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead/Jumpin' Jack Flash/Gimme Some Lovin'
Whole Lot Of Leaving
In These Arms (David in vocal)
Diamond Ring
Always
Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars
Just Older
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
We Got It Going On
It's My Life
Keep The Faith
I'll Be There For You (Richie in vocal)
Blaze Of Glory
Blood On Blood
Have A Nice Day
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Livin' On A Prayer
Encore:
Stick To Your Guns
Wanted Dead Or Alive
