“This ain’t television, baby!” Bon Jovi spelt it out, opening with That’s What The Water Made Me as they kicked off the Australian leg of the Because We Can tour at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium. It wasn’t their best known song. But New Jersey’s second finest rock band quickly pile-drove behind it with You Give Love A Bad Name, Raise Your Hands and Lost Highway by which time the crowd was theirs.
Little wonder that Bon Jovi remain voted one of the greatest arena bands. Their two and a hour set saw them play 25 songs drawn from 30 years of back catalogue: there was something there for everyone. The massive Buick grille backdrop accentuated the message: this was American rock. The sound and production was first class. The sell-out show started and finished on schedule. No Bieber-type hour long waits. New Jersey’s finest knew people in the audience had trains to catch and schedules to keep.
The crowd took the new songs in their stride but the roars and sing-alongs were kept for Livin’ on a Prayer, I’ll Be There For You, Wanted Dead or Alive, Bad Medicine, It’s My Life, We Were Born To Follow and Who Says You Can’t Go Home. There’s no doubt the band are on top of their game, like on the extended Keep The Faith. But the absence of Richie Sambora was felt. Replacement Phil X(enidis) of Triumph and Methods of Mayhem knew his chops, but Sambora had that strong presence which bounced off Jon Bon Jovi’s onstage.
Jon, at 51, remains a master stage performer. He works the crowd beautifully whether it was interspersing Asleep When I’m Dead with Jumpin’ Jack Flash and Whole Lotta Love or thanking everyone for the last 30 years.
“What better place than in Australia on a Saturday night in summer” he roared, and implored everyone to have s safe Christmas. During the four song encore, he told the crowd to take over vocal duties on Wanted Dead Or Alive because he needed a break. Everyone happily obliged. In all, a terrific night out for an Australian Saturday night in summer.
BY CHRISTIE ELIEZER
Loved: The Living On A Prayer sing-along.
Hated: Richie Sambora’s absence.
Drank: Lots.
