By Dawn Hamilton
It’s been some time since Bon Jovi has hit a Toronto stage and the fans were showing enthusiastic appreciation for him coming back. There isn’t much I can say about this icon that hasn’t been said before. Bon Jovi was actually the very first concert I ever went to in 1989 with Skid Row opening at the Skydome (yes I am aging myself). It has been 34 years since Bon Jovi was formed and that is a long time for any band to still be around. They have once again sold out arena and is not surprising that it isn’t one night but two nights in a row. It seemed that black leather was the garment of choice for most fans in attendance as I watched the fans filter into the Air Canada Centre.
As the band came on stage they were hidden by a screen with a huge picture of a house on it which is fitting for the tour and new album called “This House Is Not For Sale” . John came out sporting a Toronto Maple Leafs t-shirt which of course won the fans over but he really didn’t need help in this department, these fans have been in love for a very long time, some now even bringing their kids to the concert to pass the torch to the younger generation.
Jon explained the meaning behind the house, it is an old house with strong roots and “these songs over the years are not ours (the band) over the years they are ours” (the fans and band)…. “You have taken these songs and made them your own”. I wish I had the right words to describe the audience and how loud they were the whole night deafening doesn’t seem like a strong enough word. They sang like they wanted Bon Jovi to hear each of them individually.
The stage looked fairly simple but that being said the hydraulic truss and truss towers surrounding the stage were impressive. The huge truss towers surrounding the stage raised and lowered shinning lights on the audience as well as the band. Jon tried to include, as much as possible, the people that were seated behind the stage running around the stage on a ramp built behind the drum kit.
I do have to make mention of his guitarist Phil X. When Jon introduced Phil X the crowd went crazy. Nothing quite like having a home town boy get one of the biggest applause of the night. You could see the smile on Phil’s face from anywhere in the arena. The whole night included songs from his new album “This House Is Not For Sale” such as “God Bless This Mess” and “New Years Day”. Of course he didn’t forget to play his anthems “Bad Medicine”, “Wanted Dead Or Alive” and “Livin’ On A Prayer”.
If you missed the concert last night you may have a very slim chance of getting tickets for another show soon and I highly suggest it. Every one is always in a good mood when Jon comes into town, he makes us all “Have A Nice Day”.
Once again thanks to the crew because without them there is no show!
Review and photos by Mini’s Memories ~ you can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
