2008: 40 days on the road with Bon Jovi - pt 5

Only four (working) days after my extended weekend in Amsterdam and Brussels I flew back to where the Bon Jovi Lost Highway tour circus was set. This time for a 10 day ride through the U.K.. Starting point: Glasgow, Scotland.

The Scot Gods played us a little trick though, since after a sunny morning the rain payed us a visit. And it was no soft rain, it was a hard and intensive that didn't stop until a couple of hours after the show ended. At times like these Jon always mentions the angels were crying for they couldn't get a ticket for the sold out show. I don't know if he's right or not, but one thing I know is he kept the band tight and played with his guts to make it worth every penny. Any band could have played an hour and a half set, but the 4 Jersey guys are not any band and proved with professionalism they can entertain even under adverse circumstances.

Along the mandatory LH European tracks we got "Twist and shout" in the "Sleep" jukebox, that allowed to see a 60 plus thousand people in the rain with their hands up high. Amazing sight. "Always" kept getting better and better, with Richie extending a few seconds more the already brilliant final solo, while in his hand Jon touched the high and hard notes and made us all think his voice was from a 20 year old. The rain showed no signs from stopping and Jon cried for even more when he announced the epic "Dry County". But this time, unlike in Brussels in which we witnessed a poor rendition of the 10 minute song, we had the chance to hear a clear and intense version. Brilliant orchestration, guitar solo and delivery from the musicians proving they can play any song from their catalog with the passion they were recorded, plus the live factor that always adds details that make it a memorable. Bravo for an amazing "Dry County". We all thought we'd get a short encore, but once again the band delivered another surprise: the always celestial "Hallelujah", that highlights the great shape Jon's voice was during this tour. The surprises were over but the concert was not, so we still got an electrifying finale with "Bad Medicine".

The show was over, but the night was only beginning for the travelers who would make the trip to Manchester right after the show. The rain stopped following us after a while, but the winter weather made us company in the following show in Manchester, and it was a band on fire who against all odds rode the crowd to an unforgettable night of superb Rock'n'Roll. Right from the kick off: "Livin' on a Prayer", probably the best introduction for a rock show. For the first time in this tour we got this song where it sounds better and louder, setting the mood for the rest of the concert. The rare fan favorite "I'd die for you" was played, while the "Beach boy" choir of "Last Cigarette" made its unique appearance during the 100 show tour. At this point we knew they could surprise us with any song. The acoustic ballad "Diamond ring" was introduced as a song like it was written: simple and effective. And you could see a 60 000 crowd stumbled in silence like if they were in a bar listening. The power ballad "Always" followed, allowing the energy to be released (once again an even better version than the night before). Another fan favorite and rare song: "Blood on Blood" made its debut in the UK, while the "rain" epic "Dry County" was not forgotten and like "Always" it kept getting better. Stunning rendition of the song. The main set was closed by the energetic "Bad (one more time) Medicine". For the first time we got 2 scheduled encores. And what to say about the 1st one: a 3 song combo from their last record "Lost Highway": "We gotta goin' on", the loudest and funniest from the record, "Any other day", the most passion ed and epic, and "I Love this Town", that resembles the crowd participation of "Twist and Shout" and the Country mood of "Who says you can't go home". Definitely a great ending for a A+ encore, proving the band can electrify the audience even with the new material. To the second encore they left two of their biggest hits: "Someday I'll be Saturday night" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" closed on of the best shows of the tour in which the band deliberately showed their consideration, respect and affection for the city. Definitely one of the best cities to see a Bon Jovi show.

The rain and cold weather stayed with us and 2 days later in the industrial city of Coventry we witness a much more quiet band who was deliberately saving themselves for the 2 final nights of the tour in London. The funny rocker "Back in the USSR" in the "Sleep when I'm dead" jukebox made its second appearance - but the 1st I witnessed - and made the British crowd feel at home with this Beatles classic. We also saw an extraordinary encore with the, at time not so surprising but still brilliant, "Always" and ,for the last time, my favorite song: "These Days". But if in terms of set list the highlights were not many, in terms of spontaneity this was probably one of the best shows. And the reason was that during the song "Who says you can't go home" Jon called a young 7 year old boy and showing his father side started a conversation with him. They both ended the song in a duet and the crowd once again was at the band's feet for such a humility lesson. Definitely one of the strongest moments of the tour.

Almost in the Wales, in the very western city of Bristol, a tiny stadium that held 20 000 people - one of the smallest of this tour - was the stage for the final rehearsal to the European final shows. We finally saw the sun, a fact that the band acknowledged with their song "Summertime" that was reintroduced in the set list after some show's rest. "Blaze of Glory", a highlight of this tour for its powerful rendition, was introduced for the first time in Europe by Bob Dylan's most covered song: the classic "Knockin' on heaven's door". But the moment of the night was later when Jon pointed to a couple of banners (including mine) and announced they would play something for the "die hards". A song they had not played in 12 years and that sounded as good as if it was performed every night during the tour. "Lie to me", a stunning ballad from my favorite record "These Days", a song of struggle that Jon was able to deliver with its high notes and a passion you had to be there to feel. Absolutely fabulous. If the tour had ended right there they would had accomplished more than 100%, giving the fans a new treat every other show. But from this moment on, the passe started to accelerate and the songs started to be be heard at a auto-pilot way. The ultra short encore, containing "Wanted" and "Prayer" closed the show in a rush. I can't say they ruined it, but they definitely took some of the show's energy by rushing it to an abrupt end.

And so we got to our final destination, Europe's capital and the tour's final destination: London. The place where fans from all over the world meet to celebrate the end of one more Bon Jovi's victorious passage by the "old continent". This time a few miles outside the city in England's National Rugby field of Twickenham.

The expectations were high since the band had been delivering memorable performances, surprising almost every show whether debuting an old song they hadn't played for a long time, creating unforgettable moments of complicity between band and audience, delivering energetic renditions of their songs or picking songs fans requested. But nothing new came out of night number one, and despite the perhaps best versions of "Dry County", "Always", or "Hallelujah", the intimacy of "Diamond Ring" or the powerful opener "Livin' on a Prayer", all of those had been seen a week before in Manchester. So although 98% of the crowd was pleased, the ones who had been in Manchester couldn't help to feel a bit disappointed that they repeated the formula, showing no signs of freshness in the first night of Europe's epitaph .

So fans started to do banners, requesting live favorites, concentrating on powerful songs that could make us forget the first night. 20 hours later there I was, row 2, between Jon and Richie - the same spot I had in 2003's Hyde Park event -, looking forward to the last of 24 shows in my "Lost Highway" tour. Last time in 2005 it was the worse show since Jon was pissed and they delivered which was probably the worse show I have ever seen them play. So after such an excellent shows I had witnessed I couldn't ask for more, but didn't want it to end like if I was repeating a concert like the night before, or getting just another good show. I wanted it to be memorable, but was seriously doubtful they could deliver it. No pictures, like on every last show for me. I guess it is kind of a ritual I started in the "Have a Nice Day" Tour and repeated ever since. I always try to get the most out of the last show and have as much fun as I can get. After all there's always a gap before the next batch of concerts.

SO the band kicked with "Rockin' all over the World", the cover song that had started the best European show so far in Amsterdam and right after it we heard for the last time the title track of the last record "Lost Highway". I couldn't help to think those two songs couldn't be more appropriate since I had been Rockin' all over the Europe in a lost highway in the last 37 days. All the places I had visited came to my mind. So many faces, so many places. I had trailed one of the most amazing adventures of my life through several countries, traveling by plain, train or car. Staying on fancy hotels, cheap ones or even sleeping outside. This time I was even fortunate enough to be able to stay at home after a show. I was seeing the "Lost Highway" set list for the last time and each song, even the ones that were played every night had a very special meaning. "Born to be my Baby", not a personal favorite, had extra Na na na's. "You give Love a Bad Name", the one I got my nick name from, and one of loudest and best reactions from the crowd, was the first hysterical moment. "We will rock you" introduced a fun version of "Summertime", that announced the good weather we were experiencing after a rough week - which is not very common in London. "Captain Crash", probably the one I'd most want them to skip was next with fan's throwing away confetti everywhere and waving. Then Jon said the traditional "Tico give me the beat" and once more we heard the "I'll sleep when I'm dead" medley. A song that got a new life in 2008 with Jon demanding crowd participation, Jon and Richie sharing the lead microphone, good guitar solos and almost always 2 songs in the middle. Very refreshing, specially after versions that got more and more predictable since 2000. On every show we could never imagine which song would be played in the middle, so this time we got maybe the 2 most memorable ones: first the most covered: "Jumpin' jack flash" that makes us remember the good old tours, and second the fresh "Mercy" that was one of the best surprises of this tour and the first contemporary song to be covered by the band. And it fit like a glove in this part of the show. They couldn't have picked better songs. And so the posing and shared solos followed as the song came to an end.

For the second time Jon told the tale of "Patty Garret" and "Billy the Kid" in the solo performance of "Blood Money" which was the perfect introduction to the western Grammy winner "Blaze of Glory". Another favorite song that was surely a highlight of this tour. "Any other day", probably the best song from the last record was played next as a recognition, since this song which was barely played when the tour began, was now part of the main set. An ode to the musicians who could be applauded after their solos and an opportunity to show how relevant the band is after 25 years."In these Arms", a fans favorite and band's always mandatory song in European shows proved once more why it came back to set lists in 2001 and after that never left them again. At this time, the crowd is completely hysterical in what resembles the video for this amazing song.

"We gotta goin' on", the energy blast of the last record and the biggest hit of the band's 3rd decade of life: "It's my life" kept the passe with band and crowd enjoying every second. "Keep the Faith" and "Have a Nice Day" are the two most scenic songs of the set. Lots of visual effects, fireworks in the big screens and a giant screen that raised from the back of the stage showing lots of smirks that characterized the "Have a Nice Day" era, filled the solos, screams, shouts and even more hysteria that had now taken the whole stadium. Richie had his chance to shine with his now very personal rendition of "I'll be there for you". The 80's power ballad that he made his own with the charisma he displays on stage.

At this time we were all expecting "Who says you can't go home", even the Roddy that had Jon's acoustic guitar ready, but Jon thought differently and mentioned they had been surprising the audience in this tour debuting songs in many shows. He pointed to many of the banners saying they had done those songs at some point. As this was the last stop in Europe, he announced the last debut in this continent soil as the first b-side of the cd era. We got "I Believe", my first request early in Germany, the one Jon had said "no" with his head and I had stopped asking for was the last pick. And I couldn't have asked for any other song. The optimism of the lyrics fit the occasion and gave the show what it needed to be historical. This rocker that was a hit single in Europe holds the passion and meaning this band has been carrying. Its loud guitars and screams have the power of the 80's stadium anthems, but the lyrical content and the arrangements of the two guitars reveal the 90's approach to a more clean Rock 'n' Roll with social concerns. As the cherry at the top of this cake are the final moments in which lead singer and guitar "god" share the lead microphone and deliver "uuuooo hhhhoo" screams to an astonished audience and completely breathless die hards. After 42 shows, this is one of the best moments I ever witnessed in my Bon Jovi quest. No doubt about it.

Now they could play the country hit "Who says you can't go home", and like in Hull 2006, I felt the words "Take it in, take it with you when you go" were more meaningful than ever. I had to take all those moments of joy and turn them to energy to fill my life with. "Bad Medicine", despite predictable had a few new details this tour, although overplayed is always one of the crowd's favorite moments, specially when accompanied with "Shout", the "twin brother" of this song, that have always been played with. And the words "We gotta hold on.." were the beginning of the last song of the main set. The one that is more mandatory than any other: "Livin' on a Prayer". If this band must be remembered by 1 song, this has got to be it. They cannot possibly skip it. It is a staple in the history of music itself. You can hear it a thousand times, and you'll still be thrilling to hear it again. And with all the energy and power the band had this tour, it couldn't be less than a highlight every time it was played.

The encore started with "Always", the ballad the band brought back to life after so many years of not being played. And as I told a million times, it got better and better every time it was played. This is a very meaningful song for me, since it was the one that made me a fan and since then I carry a very intense affection to it. But this was the first tour I had the chance to listen to it in its original version. And even though it was a staple by the middle of the tour, no show was complete without it. And once more Richie put his heart and soul to it and once more they did what they do best: play emotional and loud stadium anthems that touch each and every one of the show's attendees, each one in its own peculiar way. "Wanted dead or alive", was next and what can I say, the modern day cowboy this song describes was exactly what I had been living in the last month. I had been wearing the cowboy skin this song talks about and like in 2006 I, despite dead tired, had seen a million faces and had seen Bon Jovi rock them all. "Someday I'll be Saturday night" for its melody, sense of urgency and hope is one of the band's favorites and the crowd showed it shares the predilection for the tune. A good sing along was shared in the last song before the band came to the edge of the stage to be overwhelmed by the applause s. The audience was surrendered to a band they knew so well and once again had proven they deserved all the success. While the band was more than happy to feel the effort they put on every show pays off and turns out to be an energy no one can explain and only the present can witness. The band reunited to figure out what to play next since they had to keep on going and picked definitely the most appropriate song to end the tour: "I Love this Town". The good sing along, and thankful lyrics showed how grateful the band were to the city of London and most of all to their loyal fans of the whole continent. The song being from the album that was being promoted fit perfectly, showing the sentiment of the band with a fresh song that once again contains a positive message and a simple and straightforward chorus in which everyone can participate in. "Twist and Shout" was used as the extended finale for the song and made the party even bigger. 80 000 people with their hands up high, screaming at the top of their lungs was the last sight of the band who assured they would be back after they once again thanked at the edge of the stage.

The last words had been said and I could not help to remember that a year before I had started my "Lost Highway" experience in that same city of London, very far from the stage. I had then fulfilled a dream and visited Bon Jovi's home state of New Jersey and saw 5 shows there getting closer but still very far from that stage. Then I followed them for 17 European cities and 18 shows, always in the front rows, almost smelling them. I had seen them for the first time in my home country, after 13 years. I had the honor of seeing Jon wearing a gift I so thoughtfully prepared with my girlfriend. I saw them pick some of the songs I requested during the shows. Witnessed passion ed performances and songs that hadn't been played for more than 10 years. The circle was full and the chapter had just ended. I don't know what comes next, but one think I know for sure: we all need something to believe in, and if we not only believe in it, but fight for our dreams, we may have a chance of making them a reality. I surely made some dreams come true during this last months. And still got so many more to fight for I can't afford to drop my guns now. Because "We live for the fight, It's all that we've got".