Bon Jovi @ Xcel
Posted on March 19th, 2008 – 12:03 AMBy Jon Bream
OK, I’m not a big Bon Jovi fan like the rest of the 18,000 people at the X on Tuesday. So I notice things like how “Shout” (a cover of a 1962 hit) got the most explosive reaction of the night — until “Livin on a Prayer” late in the show.
Here’s the set list from Tuesday. Wonder how much it will change on Wednesday night?
1. Lost Highway 2. Born to be My Baby 3. You Give Love a Bad Name 4. Raise Your Hands 5. Runaway 6. I Love This Town 7. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (with a little Jumpin Jack Flash) 8. (a little Knockin on Heaven’s Door before) Blaze of Glory 9. Miss Fourth of July 10. Whole Lot of Leavin’ 11. In These Arms 12. We Got It Goin’ On 13. It’s My Life 14. Bad Medicine (with a bit of Shout) 15. I’ll Be There for You (sung by Richie Sambora) 16. Make a Memory (Jon Bon Jovi on a small platform in crowd) 17. Bed of Roses (Jon still in the crowd) 18. Who Says You Can’t Go Home 19. Have a Nice Day 20. Keep the Faith 21. Livin on a Prayer 22. Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night 23. Wanted Dead or Alive
What did you think of the concert? Please post your comment here:
55 Responses to "Bon Jovi @ Xcel"
I’ve been waiting to see what you had to say about the show. I haven’t seen a good review of a Bon Jovi concert out of you yet. Are up you going to the show tonight? Perhaps you should send someone else in your place. The show was fantastic and I’m sure tonights will be as well.
One word Awesome!!! This was an awesome conert that Jonand his band put on last night….there was no sitting for the entire almost 2.5 hour concert….they did a great mixture of older songs with their newer ones…one of the best concerts I have ever been too!!!
The concert last night was awesome! And I liked the way they mixed it up, and had Richie sing “I’ll be There for You” and then had Jon perform on a platform in the middle of the audience - you could tell they really wanted to put on a good show for their fans and that they were enjoying themselves. And,I really liked DAUGHTRY as the opening band, they were awesome as well. So, as far as rock concerts go.. both bands were AWESOME!
Bruce who? Bon Jovi was advertised a lot - nobody knew Bruce was even here until he was gone. Jean jackets are out and so is Bruce.
Jon, why do you always have to bash Bon Jovi? You have never written a good review about them. You yourself mentioned that Bon Jovi and Springsteen are like apples and oranges, so why do you feel the need to try to compare the two? Bon Jovi has been around a long time and is still selling out large arenas so they must be doing something right. I would suggest you stay here in Minnesota never try to make it as a reporter in NY or NJ as you would be eaten alive.
Did anyone see what was written on the back of Jon’s first shirt?
Well, folks, don’t worry because Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will blow all of these “Jersey Boys” off the map when he plays here in July.
Springsteen is totally played out. Most over rated act out there.
The Jovi’s are pretty good, kudos for moving into the more country vein, it still works in combination with the “oldies”.
Jean jackets are “out”?
Says who?
The concert was fantastic last night!! Bon Jovi Rocked St.Paul once, and will do it again tonight! Mr. Bream, your reviews are terrible. Springsteen and Bon Jovi are both great performers, stop comparing them to each other. I have been to both shows and they each have their own way. Stop bashing Bon Jovi, the fans here love them and want them to keep coming back. Did you get dumped by a girl while you were listening to a Bon Jovi song or something?
Even at their ages, they are still eye candy!!!
I don’t think “Shout” got the biggest charge out of the crowd, I just think that the “writer” of the article doesn’t have anything good to say. I normally would not go to a Bon Jovi concert (I’d rather go to a Metallica concert), but thought it was a very good show with lots of energy. The band sounded great and the crowd was very energetic. I am glad I went.
http://www.twincities.com//ci_8620151?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
Here’s the Pioneer Press review.
I went to Springsteen on Sunday as well….boring. Bruce didn’t even sing ‘Born in the USA’ - come on. He sang 8 songs off his new album that nobody knew - I was disappointed with him. But last night was ‘WOW’ - BonJovi can still rock the house. He’s got great songs - he sang a great variety - he engaged with the crowd - had us on our feet the entire time. That’s what a concert is all about.
I’m going tonight, can anyone tell me what time the concert ended?
The show ROCKED!! None of us have voices left! Dude are you some old guy who needs some glue in your teeth? Seriously, for Bon Jovi to sell out 18,000 seats and have to schedule another show should prove to you that he is the KING of Jersey. For you to compare Springstein and Bon Jovi is unexcusable.
Also, DAUGHTRY is AWESOME and he put on a great show.
I saw Bon Jovi back in 2005 in the cities, for the “Have a Nice Day” tour, they rocked then and they rock now! Just saw them in Omaha for the “Lost Highway Tour.” They really stepped it up and added many new things. The crowd in omaha was on their feet all night! You are right, the last review on Bon Jovi wasn’t very nice either. I think the back of his shirt or jean jacket said Lost Highway. If they ever tour again, I’m there. I’m a faithful Bon Jobi fan!
Just after 11, if I remember correctly.
After reading your review, I have a question for you: Why do you waste your time going to Bon Jovi concerts year after year after year if it’s so painful? You even admit to not being a fan. Why go then? Quit comparing them to Springsteen. That’s getting old. Two totally different concerts. I’ve been to Springsteen concerts and yes, they were good, but, in my opinion, a tad boring.
My wife dragged me to this. So with a bad attitude, I took my seat in the second deck, and actually enjoyed the show. Jon Bon Jovi is a showman first and foremost. The really impressive light and video show and the endless close ups of Jon purposely mask the fact that the Bon Jovi catalog is a pretty shallow pool of cheesy music. However, the band was tight and energetic and appeared to be having a good time, and the crowd ate it up. I generally agreed with Mr. Bream’s review, but to compare Bon Jovi to Bruce is not fair. The proper comparison is to Hannah Montana. As Hannah Montana concert is to teenyboppers, a Bon Jovi concert is to their mothers - a well executed, high energy show full of lights, colors and energy but not much substance. If you take it for it is, it’s an enjoyable evening.
I always thought a professional writer would enter their ojective judgement based on the individual merits of the show/concert/act reviewed. Silly me! Had I known all that was required to write a review was the ability to compare an act to another, I would be doing it for a living. IMO, this was very unprofessional. You can still write a bad review, it’s just your opinon after all, but base it on this show, not on another. Thank you for reminding me why I subscribe to the other paper.
Lay off Bream. Jon Bon Jovi is sugery pop for people who really don’t like music. If Bon Jovi is in your record collection, I’d hate to see what else is in there…Spice Girls? Creed?
The reason most respectable rock critics don’t like Bon Jovi is because rock critics tend to make an effort to listen to lots of music rather than having the local top-40 dj “spoon feed” them less-than-quality smaltz pop-rock. And when you make a concerned effort to seek out music, you find music like Bon Jovi less than geniune.
Mark S - Are you saying that Richie Sambora is a less-than-quality guitarist? He is one of the best out there. David Bryan was a child prodigy when it came to playing the piano. You may not like their music but they are far from less-than-quality musicians.
The concert was Awesome!
Why bring up Bruce….who cares?
Bon Jovi has spirit, works the crowd, and was having fun.
I’ll take your ticket for tonight and do your review.
What about those outrageous prices for t shirts? $40 Crazy!!!!
Jon - I agree that you must have been dumped by a girl at a Bon Jovi concert or listening to a Bon Jovi song. It’s obvious your deep-seeded dislike for the band stems from something other than knowledge of music. Every review you’ve ever done on Bon Jovi has been poor. To continue to compare Bruce & Bon Jovi is ridiculous and, frankly, lazy. Just because they are from the same state, doesn’t mean they should or need to be compared at every turn. I’ve been to many concerts in my life and most, if not all, pale in comparison to the complete package of entertainment Bon Jovi delivers…every time. Fantastic showmanship. Ultra-talented musicians. If you don’t like the music, don’t go and send an objective person in your place to enjoy an outstanding show.
Who cares what the critics say? Obviously this one is a bit jaded by his love affair with Springteen. As as for the ‘respectable’ rock critics not liking Bon Jovi, again WHO CARES? They obviously have a TON of fans that love their music. It doesn’t matter what the critics think of the band…the fans are the ones that really matter.
I’m not a huge Bon Jovi fan, but enough of one where when I was offered a free ticket I gladly accepted. I can’t wait for the concert tonight!!
And as for Greg A…I applaud you for making the best out of your situation. But this is precisely why I never ask my husband to go to any concerts anymore. If I’m going to pony up the cash, I’d rather go alone and have a great seat than two ok ones and a hubby with a ‘bad attitude’ going into it! 
After going to his last 2 concerts in 2005 and 2006, last nights show was right up there. Bon Jovi never lets the crowd down. It is totally cool how he interacts with the crowd. I always like to people watch and last night, there were many many various age groups there. I have to admit that is blond wavy hair was alittle better but heck it still was one of the best shows ever. The stage setup was totally cool with the many big screens. One thing that really made the night was when they did a few songs from Have A Nice Day cd. They had shots up on stage of the red smiley face. It was so cool how they added the tongue sticking out of the mouth. It was funny and brought a smile or 2 from a lot of people around us. The show was the best and I wish I could go tonight with my daughter who turned 14 today.
Last nights show was in one word AMAZING!!! Nothing short of it… The boys’ still got it! Can’t wait for tonight!!!
( BTW I’ve got an extra ticket FLOOR L Row 15… $150 o/bo… email me at ivanyf@aol.com if you’re interested…)
Jon- Get a life! I wouldn’t call yourself a critic if your comparing Springsteen with Bon Jovi. What’s there to compare? Because they are both from New Jersey? You should have cut that out of your review, why say anything at all? I was a GREAT concert. Daughtry was terrific as well. Out of all of the concert’s I’ve been too (which have been allot) that was the best stage I’ve ever seen. I have also seen Bon Jovi in the past and they are still as enthusastic and energetic as they were 10 years ago. I wish I could go again tonight.
I am going to the show tonite and I don’t even have to think twice…I KNOW it will be AWESOME! Mr. Bream…”Really?”, Springsteen could never hold a torch up to the kind of musician Jon Bon Jovi is…you must still wear a jean jacket and hence why you have the opinion of these two that you do!
From what I saw the ENTIRE crowd was in to the show. Even an older man in my section was playing air guitar with his walking cane. Jon Bon Jovi had the whole crowd the entire show. He delivered a great performance. I think everyone had a great time - and what else could you want?
Show ends at 11:00 - 11:15 due to City ordinances.. So I was informed by police last night. Was a good show all in all…Daughtry sound could have been a bit cleaner IMHO. As usual Jon Bream has a dream…to be a something other then a concert reviewer. Any show I go to I always will look at his review and then the competitors(StPPP)and laugh -cause even their rookies usually do a better job then the “experienced one”…maybe I’ll take your place JB…when I retire from my day job! As someone else pointed out, both Bruce & Bon Jovi are good at what they do and need not be compared to one another…
I went last night and going again tonight. I looked at your picture and that said it all for me. You are too old to like Jovi. I went to Bruce on Sunday and thought it was ok, but No Jovi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From what I saw the ENTIRE crowd was in to the show. Even an older man in my section was playing air guitar with his walking cane. Jon Bon Jovi had the whole crowd the entire show. He delivered a great performance. I think everyone had a great time - and what else could you want? So if this Jon, the music critic, is old… old has nothing to do with it. He must be lame and not know how to have a good time.
Jon Bream is on a “Lost Highway “
He was not “Born to be My Baby”
(John Bream) “You Give Love a Bad Name “
“Raise Your Hands” if you think Jon Bream is a deadbeat…
or if you think he should ”Runaway”
“I Love This Town” (with the exception of a certain STRIBs concert “critic”
Haha, how can someone be too old to like Bon Jovi? The band is catered to middle age and above soccer moms and guys who never developed a taste outside of top 40 music. Bon Jovi is as old as it gets. Any older and you might have to dig out your tye dye..but hey, at least 60’s and 70’s bands had creativity.
You’re as guilty as the thing you accuse the reviewer of. Being blinded with subjectivity just because you happened to “be there.”
The back of Jon’s first shirt said “Juke Box Hero”.
As far as a comparison between Bon Jovi and Bruce:
I saw Bruce Sunday nite (the 13th time I’ve seen him since The River tour. Great show as usual.
I also saw Bon Jovi tuesday nite.
Although Bruce is and will always be my favorite concert act, I had more fun and was more entertained thru-out the complete show Tuesday nite. Other than two mellow songs (I call them bathroom songs, because thats when I make a run), the whole show was upbeat, energetic, and rockin’
Bud Sr. - how old are you? Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and jean jackets? Tom’s about 58 years old - maybe you should keep your comments in check with the “older” crowd.
WOW! What a bunch of hot air! The review stunk although most “critics” in my opinion are only critics because they aren’t happy with themselves! Also for all of the “haters” out there why post a comment? What are you doing reading the reviews about Bon Jovi when you don’t even like them? You must be Bon Jovi fans in the closet! As far as the music and the lyrics are concerned you “haters” obviously listen to the words and assume what they mean. If you ever once watched a “behind the music” on Bon Jovi or listened to an interview Jon and Richie write all of there songs and they all have a much deeper meaning! So to say that they are old and washed up and top 40? Whatever you obviously aren’t a true music lover! Tye dye and 60’s and 70’s music? Really did you have to go there? What 80’s band is still around with 10+ albums and hits on every one and still sells out 18,000 fans 2 nights in a row? Bon Jovi and don’t you forget it! Bon Jovi Rocks ST PAUL 2008!
Bon Jovi is all about FUN. This band knows how to produce NEW successful music and yet understands their fans desire to still hear some good old memories during the show! I was at the concert. FUN FUN FUN! What is wrong with that? I think 18,000 (minus one negative-no-fun critic) would agree.
BON JOVI WAS AMAZING! Why do you go if you are not a fan? In fact, comparing them to Springsteen? 2 completely different musicians. As you said-apples and oranges-I am not a fan of the celebrities pushing their political ideals on their fans—many celebrities are no longer favs of mine for this very reason. I have been to every Bon Jovi concert locally as far back as I can remember and this was right up there with the best of them! All of the energy! Were we even at the same concert? You were right about Daughtry-I’ll give you that–almost wished I hadn’t seen him live. Bought his CD liked it well enough, but was he lip-synching? He kept covering his lips?! And when you could see him singing on the faster songs??? I hope there’s a delay with the image getting up to the screen–OTHERWISE he definitely was lip-synching! NO GOOD!
Thanks Jon, I went to Bruce Sunday and Jovi last night. Went with some friends that are true Jovi fans…while the show was entertaining and good I said to Holly…”he’s no Bruce!” Now I have it in writing to prove it.
The bigger question is, why review the same acts over and over when the only real differences are wardrobe and setlist changes? Meanwhile, amazing artists like Vinicius Cantuaria come into town virtually unnoticed. Shouldn’t music critics devote a bit of their energy to bringing the new and exciting to our attention, SXSW coverage notwithstanding? I daresay that at least a third of JBJ’s audience last night would be charmed by Vinicius if given the opportunity.
Nothing against Bon Jovi, Bruce, or the like, but they’ve had enough exposure. Bring on the new and/or underexposed, please.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
Quote from jbj365:
“What 80’s band is still around with 10+ albums and hits on every one and still sells out 18,000 fans 2 nights in a row?”
U2
Prince
I’ve been a Bon Jovi fan since the very beginning and they just get better with age. I do wish they wouldn’t have done some of the same things as the last time. I’ll love Bon Jovi until the end of time!! They rocked, as always!!
Mr. Bream: you say Bon Jovi is no Springsteen. Agreed. However…bear in mind, Bruce Springsteen is no Jon Bon Jovi either. I rest my case.
Jon, you had me until you compared Julia Roberts to Springsteen and Jordan. Try Meryl Streep or Kate Hepburn! Even Cate Blanchett.
I thought this was the best Bon Jovi Concert yet.
I have been a faithful fan for 25 years and the guy looked awesome. I agree that Bon Jovi is no Springsteen, but can Springsteen bring the house down like Bon Jovi can ?? NO !
Bon Jovi is one of a kind and there is no comparing them to anyone else.
Once again Bon Jovi put on a great show. Jon Bream - I don’t even know why I waste my time reading your reviews - they all suck. MN fans love Bon Jovi and he loves us - that’s why he keeps coming back and selling out. I hope Jon Bon Jovi didn’t pick up a copy of the Star Tribune today to see the crap you wrote about him. Jon Bon Jovi ROCKS and you Jon Bream SUCK!
I, along with thousands of others, absolutely loved the concert and just don’t understand the picky Jon Bream review. Bon Jovi really puts out for their concerts. Great music, great fun. I definitely got my money’s worth!
Ive been to every concert of Bon Jovi when he has played here. This was one of the best yet. Jon Bream you should stick with writing a review on someone you like, cause you werent at the same concert everybody else was.The St Paul paper even wrote a nice review,you suck.Next time Bon Jovi comes,please send someone else to review the concert.
Bud, Sr., I’m w/you - best comment on these reveiws I’ve seen yet “Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers will most definitely blow all these Jersey boys of the map”. See you in July!
This was the worst review for a concert I have ever read. A reviewer should not compare two works together to say that one is better unless that was the purpose of the review. The purpose for this review was SUPPOSED to be about the Bon Jovi concert. NOT how this concert compared to the recent Springsteen show. I don’t care if you didn’t like this show as much as The Boss’ show. That is irrelevant. You need to stick to the topic at hand—THIS SHOW, AND THIS SHOW ONLY.
I am not a huge Bon Jovi fan, but I do like their music. The show was very entertaining—they played some fun songs with a lot of energy and the light/stage show was incredible! Yes there were some cheesy moments (the countdown, the stories that introduced songs, etc.), but it was a show. They were performers. Not the best concert I’ve seen, but what a damn good time I had!
Jon Bream, stop writing reviews. Please.
I went to both shows and both of them were the AWESOME! I have seen Bon Jovi at least 7 times and ever time they get better. I was in the 13th row Tuesday and then 7th row Wednesday and I could not stop dancing have having fun. Wednesday night’s show was a little different. Jon can sing “Ring around the rosey” and that even would be entertaining.
So there’s my inout.
Bon Jovi Fan: Dawn
How can anyone NOT like a Bon Jovi Concert? I just can’t believe that people like you are out there! The Boys are the Best Band Ever! Nobody puts on a show like they do. Who else still sells out every venue around the world, for each and every show??? You are all surely just jealous of all thier success. Bet those negative critics are not living in a penthouse costing $28 million? That is just one of Jon’s homes. You people need to get a life, and let those who enjoy the band, ENJOY THEM!!!!
