GIG REVIEW: BON JOVI Rocks Anfield

The Loud cheer of the crowd saw the return of Bon Jovi, as they made a triumphant return to Liverpool. Here we are on the sacred ground of Anfield Stadium, Jon Bon Jovi declared to a mix of cheers and boos from all in attendance “It’s like when we play in New York, two teams – but if I say we’re in the home of the European Champions” as the stadium erupted into a huge roar, Jon continued, “but tonight your favourite team is Bon Jovi isnt that right

It’s been 33 years since the rockers played a live concert in the city, last appearing at the Royal Court in 1986 when Slippery When Wet dominated the UK charts. The current tour started way back in 2017, but tonight’s show, and more importantly the music, still felt fresh and exciting.

Hitting the stage to a backdrop of videos of Liverpool landmarks, the charismatic front man was the last to arrive, the crowd roaring in approval as he threw his arms in the air in greeting .

Breaking straight into the opening number, This House Is Not For Sale (from which the tour takes its name), the five piece began to get the audience prepared for  a mix of old and new BON JOVI songs.

Opening number out of the way, and the hits began to roll thick and fast. The fans didn’t need much encouragement, but Raise Your Hands saw thousands of hands in the air, crowds vocal chords warming up nicely for You Give Love a Bad Name to which Jon shouted waving his hands at all in attendance, “You’re at a Bon Jovi concert, get up out of your seats”.

Born to Be My Baby gave way to Whole Lot of Leavin, then Lost Highway, before the rockers rolled back the years all the way to 1984 with Runaway, the debut single that started it all. We Weren’t Born to Follow, and Have a Nice Day flowed swiftly into the thumping base line of 90s anthem, Keep the Faith and a blinding guitar solo from Phil X, this is a guitarist whose presence on stage is massive and is well received by all BON JOVI fans, definitely a successful replacement for Mr Sambora

Slowing it down with Amen, which had fans with phones in the air, it then gave way to I’ll Be There For You, and a sea of arms waving as the crowd joined in.

Fans barely had a chance to catch their breath before the band launched in to Blood on Blood, and as a chill began to settle in the air, It’s My Life blasted in and had the whole stadium on its feet, before they played We Don’t Run.

As the opening chords of Wanted Dead or Alive rang out, the song was greeted with screams of approval as the whole of Anfield provided the backing vocals. Lay Your Hands on Me kept up the energy, with Jon Bon Jovi prowling into the Golden Circle of the crowd like a evangelist.

As the light started to fade, the set came alive, the group blasted through I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, and Bad Medicine before bowing off stage. But they weren’t missing for long, as the band returned to the stage the stadium erupted into screams for more.

There was a song the fans hadn’t heard, and BON JOVI didn’t want to disappoint, bursting back on stage to round off the show with These Days, accompanied by the light of hundreds of mobile phones before Livin’ On a Prayer saw the stadium erupt from the front to the back Johns vocal drowned out by the crowd.

Pausing before the last song, Jon addressed the crowd: “I want to thank you all for coming, it’s been a long time coming back to Liverpool. Last time was for the Royal Variety performance, in front of the Queen. Yesterday was another royal birthday, Sir Paul McCartney’s,” he continued, before leading the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to the 77-year-old Beatle and ending the show with a cover of Twist and Shout.

BON JOVI delivered a flawless performance, showcasing all the hits, this was worth the wait for all who attended Anfield tonight.

BON JOVI, come back soon.

Review & Photo by Metal Planet Music