Live Review: Bon Jovi, Birds Of Tokyo

“Everyone loves Bon Jovi,” a friend observes, but this reviewer had forgotten why she ‘always’ wanted to lay down in a ‘bed of roses’.

On the walk to the 'G, there is a smattering of Bon Jovi and Harley Davidson tees, which quickly grows into a swarm. The crowd are here to witness timeless songs including Wanted Dead Or Alive and It’s My Life. With the band clearly relishing the chance to play new tracks such as Roller Coaster while still honouring the old, the fans aren’t going to be disappointed.

Birds Of Tokyo are a solid support but there is a lack of ambience, with only hit This Fire drawing audible cheers from the crowd. Most people are here to see Bon Jovi and they are happy to wait.

Bon Jovi clearly know who their audience is as sepia photographs of the flag, Fed Square and other Melbourne landmarks are projected onto a huge backdrop – a nice touch. Opener This House Is Not For Sale sets the tone, as Jon Bon Jovi pounds on his chest, waving his fingers and soaking up the crowd’s warmth. His metaphorical hand is never far from his heart throughout the night, displaying clear gratitude for his fans. The visuals during third track You Give Love A Bad Name complement Jon Bon Jovi's spiffy jacket, adorned with a red heart, complete with glittering wings, stitched over his own.

They barely stop – a sonic train filled with great riffs, solid percussion, strong vocals and Jon Bon Jovi’s signature charm. They have a few tracks under their leather belts before Jon Bon Jovi pauses to greet the crowd politely, “Good evening... Got a lot of catching up to do. We ain’t gonna waste a lot of time talking... Take me to the sea.” They take it down a notch before Lost Highway, We Weren't Born To Follow and Roller Coaster.

With a back catalogue filled with hits and crowd-pleasers, it’s tough to pick a highlight. It would be a three-way split between keyboardist David Bryan wielding the electric organ and keyboard at the same time during an extended interlude when Jon Bon Jovi left the stage briefly near the halfway mark, the sheer emotion of Bed Of Roses, or the nostalgia of I’ll Be There For You.

Bon Jovi will always be Livin’ On A Prayer and finishing a generous set that stretched to almost two and a half hours, fans are still praying that it isn’t over. Melbourne has plenty of affection for the band, with almost 60,000 hearts in attendance, but there’s only one Jon Bon Jovi. Until next time.