Gig review: Bon Jovi, Murrayfield Stadium

Published on 23/06/2011 07:58

Bon Jovi Murrayfield Stadium * * *

BON JOVI thrilled them in their thousands at Murrayfield Stadium last night, as part of their Full Circle Tour. One of music's highest earners, the New Jersey cowboys didn't disappoint during the two-hour show.

Led by Jon Bon Jovi, things got to a relatively quiet start until You Give Love A Bad Name cajoled the audience into action.

"Hello, Scotland, get out your seats," bellowed Jovi. "Let's see what you got."

Sporting a brace around his left leg - the 49-year-old injured his knee during a recent concert in Finland - the strapping wasn't enough to stop Jovi bursting into a wee jig, as the band tore through a set dominated by their greatest hits.

A dull, drizzly evening saw fans stream into the stadium early on - some had even camped overnight to ensure the perfect viewing spot - where they were suitably entertained by Dunfermline indie-band, Val Verde.

Still, there was no denying who everyone had come to see, entire families giddy with excitement as show-time approached. With such a huge and broad following, it's not difficult understanding why Bon Jovi has racked up over 120 million record sales.

"Hope you all got plenty sunscreen on," joked Jovi, looking to the heavens. "I don't mind a little rain. This place is on fire tonight."

Of course, the fans were right behind him all the way. Obedient and well-trained, you could have thrown fish at them such was their willingness to lift their arms toward the sky during Raise Your Hands.

Jovi, meanwhile, was forever flashing his dazzlingly-white teeth at a bevvy of beauties down in the Diamond Circle section. During a raunchy version of Bad Medicine, Jovi stated a need for a nurse, or at least someone who resembled one. Suddenly the stadium was rammed with would-be Florence Nightingales. Then, alongside guitarist Richie Sambora (just recently out of rehab), Jovi dished out the customary rock-star poses on Wild Is The Wind and I'll Be There For You.

Things dipped a little bit three-quarters through, however; new songs such as No Apologies not so warmly appreciated. Nevertheless, as the band rounded up their set with Keep The Faith, an encore seemed inevitable. And they obliged, playing a five-song finale that included Wanted Dead Or Alive and Livin' On A Prayer - the latter's chorus sung so loudly by the audience it could probably have been heard from Princes Street.