(Wonkyplonkydonkey :P) - fransims@hotmail.com


CAPITAL FM REQUEST SHOW - 7th September 7pm-10.15pm

Got to the arena about 6:10 and took part in some classic British queuing before going through the ticket / security check - no probs taking cameras in!). They were selling Bounce T -Shirts and they were pretty pricey but I couldn’t resist and bought one of those tight skinny style ones (black with bounce logo - v cool). Later, found out that BJ were donating all their merchandise sales to charity so felt a bit less guilty!! When we got to our seats they were absolutely AMAZING - I knew front block row 6 was going to be pretty good but when we actually saw how close to the guys we’d be we couldn’t believe it. We just sat down and shrieked!!!! Toploader kicked the show off with a 20 minute set. They were pretty good and I felt for them a bit because the vast majority of people stayed seated and there wasn’t that much of a crowd response. Then the All Star band. Appleton did a couple of songs after that. Didn’t think much of them - they got even less crowd response! To be honest it was kinda weird because EVERYONE was just waiting for Bon Jovi so the first bit of the show was a bit dead. After a 20 minute break, I spied Dave by the keyboards, Richie at the side of the stage and Hughie and Tico appeared too. CT came on and announced the band with David Seaman (England goalkeeper). There was a HUGE cheer and the guys played the intro to Prayer. By the end of the intro, Jon still hadn’t appeared. Richie pointed to the back and Jon was standing in the middle of the arena on a little platform: I could only see him on the screens!!!!! During the song the most incredible thing happened - Jon walked down the arena along the right hand side where I was sitting to get to the stage. I noticed him coming down the aisle towards me (with lots of security men around him) and I was like - woooooooohooooooooo - it was very surreal. Anyway, I pulled myself together and as he walked right in front of me, I reached out and touched his arm. It was so COOL!! I still can’t believe how close he was to me! At the end of Prayer, they did that wicked link into ‘You give love a bad name’ (like the one on the OWN album). Then It’s My Life - which was v. cool. After this, they played 3 new songs - Undivided (which completely ROCKS) which was a stunning performance, Everyday and Bounce (also a great, heavy rock song laced with loads of guitar - the performance of this was outstanding. These got a great reception. Then Wanted-dead or alive, with Jon saying ’all rise for our anthem‘). Then it was Keep the Faith and Jon did those screaming noises he does on Live from London and did that thing where he lies on the floor!!! After that, Bad Medicine, then Shout. That was it….no encore (boo hoo). Everyone was chanting WE WANT MORE but Chris Tarrant came on and told us that was it - the band had gone! I guess anything less than a full concert is always going to feel short - they played for an hour and we got 10 songs so that was great! I have to say that the band were really ON FIRE. I know they are always incredible live but there was something special about them this time. The whole band just looked incredible, had amazing energy and all really excited- they played a blinder. Dave looked really happy and Richie - what can I say. We had some HUGE, juicy guitar solos from him. Incredible. Nice Union Jack trousers too (although he had a slightly strange skirt thing at the back!! Jon sang great of course - in fact, his voice is the best I’ve heard for ages. All of them just seemed really excited - they obviously can’t wait for the tour / album release and the audience were in great voice too!!!! It was an amazing feeling when Jon left the audience to sing something - v loud and just fantastic. I had ONE WILD NIGHT. I know all of us will when we make it to the concerts in the next tour - this band are on TOP TOP TOP TOP form - sensational.