After battling our way through an anti-G8 march in Belfast, your beleaguered Hot Press reviewer finally arrives at Slane just in time to see The Coronas do an admirable job warming up the crowd. Next it’s our headliners. Touring in support of their 12th album What About Now, Bon Jovi have seen ticket sales in some territories drop for the first time in living memory, are still dealing with the shock departure of long-time guitarist/songwriter Richie Sambora and are generally fighting to find their place in an increasingly cynical, slightly snobbish market. In short, songs about dock workers sung by multi-millionaires who haven’t put in a hard day’s graft in decades just don’t cut it for some people any more.
Still, the New Jersey natives are far from finished as tonight’s attendance proves (around 50,000 punters) and there are plenty of Jovi veterans and virgins alike all excited to see Jon and Co. While newie ‘That’s What The Water Made Me’ doesn’t quite electrify Slane, Slippery When Wet classic ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ hits the spot.
This evening’s show is exactly what you’d expect from a band who helped birth the concept of modern-day stadium rock. They’ve got a massive stage prop in the form of a 1959 Buick Electra, dazzling light displays, crowd-pleasing onstage patter (even when Jon shouts out ‘Dublin’, no-one really seems to mind) and a back catalogue of songs which defined at least two generations.
Initially clad in a jacket which is based on Captain America’s uniform – we hope the Jack Kirby estate have been suitably compensated – the ageless Jon Bon Jovi is a ball of energy and the self-confessed steel-horse-riding cowboy delivers the good (‘Raise Your Hands’), the bad (‘Who Says You Can’t Go Home’) and the ugly (was there really any need for a cover of the Quo’s ‘Rockin’ All Over The World?’) while urging everyone to clap and sing along.
The spectre of Sambora rarely leaves tonight’s gig – especially on the New Jersey gem ‘Blood On Blood’ – and his smoky backing vocals are missed, but stand-in Phil X adds a little fire and he’s warmly welcomed by the faithful.
Yes, tonight’s gig is fuelled by nostalgia and unashamedly corporate and business-like, but if you show this reviewer someone who said they didn’t sing their hearts out during ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ then I’ll show you a liar.