Welcome To Japan!!

At last Bon Jovi's new world tour start!! At first they toured all around Asia area where they've never visited, and finally reached here Japan they know well on 13th May. Their best condition is made !! I could go to their concerts at Kobe and Tokyo. I'd like to report following:

Concert Review

Openning song is their maximum hit 'Living On A Prayer' - was always located to climax of the show -. Jon put crown of roses on his head and makeuped. We feel strange because we don't understand what it means. But later, we can see it on inner-sleeve of "These Days" album. It was symptom of new album. They continue to play 2 songs from "Slippery When Wet" album - 'You Give Love A Bad Name' and 'Wild On The Streets'-. No audience don't enjoy it. All people already are high tention. BJ also look getting satisfaction. They continually play best-selected songs we wanna listen.
Actually I think they have too much good songs to play one-night only !! My most favorite song 'Keep The Faith' of cource are played. I'm glad to hear and sing first time. (because I couldn't go last tour for one private reason). 'Tokyo Road' is their and our memory at first time we met in 1984. 'Diamond Ring' is one of new songs, but already has been played in Japan 1987. Jon's and Ritche's solo songs also are played. I remembered a show of 1990 new year's eve when they came back to Japan even the rumor they broke the band was spreaded. Actually they might be tired and unfriendly each other (contains management), but we were glad to meet them again and help anything to encourage them. Then they never changed their minds and re-built the band, you know. At beginning of 'Lay Your Hands On Me', David's keyboard solo with Tico's African beats and our "HEY!!" has a strong impression every time. We feel long and winding road with them about 10 years. A history of Bon Jovi also is our young bloods.
At first climax 'I'll Sleep When I'm Dead', one nice guy and one pretty woman's baloon appear beside of stage. Jon says us "She is just my type!". When she shake a hip, he hold her in his arms!
Opener of encore is 'Always'. Especially Kobe was excellent! Almost concerts in Japan are prohibited fire equipment in concert hall or dome stadium. Even cigarette lighter's fire! But this time they chose open stadium at Kobe, so I can see wonderful lighter performance of crowd I've never seen. Of course we sang together louder. I never forget that beautiful scene. 'Blood On Blood' is especially one of my favorite songs. I love the lyric about eternal friendship. I felt the power of BJ's songs - let my neighbors sing friendly together even if we don't know each other -.
Second encore started from Ritchie's acoustic guitar solo contained phrase of 'Stick Your Guns'. Of course double-neck guitar continued bleeding 'Wanted Dead Or Alive' in his arms. 'Someday I'll Be Saturday Night' is a fun song fits as finale. We scream "Hey man I'm alive, I'm takin' each day and night at a time Yeah I'm down, but I know I'll get by Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!". Really we enjoy it.
When they quit the stage, we scream as loud as possible and stopped to let them say goodbye. Even we heard about 20 songs!! Encore continued. Never Say Goodbye and I'll Be There For You can't lack their setlist. We alaways wish these ballad of our relationships are sung. Because it proves we are always together, forever, and we'll be there for them.
At final encore they played two new songs. 'Hey God' sounds more heavy than demo of WWW page. 'This Ain't A Love Song' is sentimental and beautiful song. Last song is their roots 'Runaway' from first album you know. 24 songs they played are all the best of Bon Jovi we love.
When show is over, I cannot speak because full of excitement and hoarse from shouting or singing louder. I think there are best shows I've ever gone this year. One thing I pity is without Alec... I wanted to hear his impressive bass line like 'Toky Road' and 'Blood On Blood'. I wish he come back.
I guess "CROSSROAD" tour (same set list) still continue until the day they just release new album. US tour after July will be switched "These Day" tour. I heard their latest interview that they'll finish tour at New Jersey on New Year's Eve. So "These Day" tour is only US. I envy !! But I wish they'll be back to Japan and Europe and we can see different set list - will be full of new songs -.
Thanks Jon, Ritchie, Tico, David and Hugh to give me a fun time!!

Set List