Review: Bon Jovi

Above: It's his life, and it's a pretty good one. Jon Bon Jovi rocks a loaded Sprint Center on Thursday. Photos by Chris Oberholtz/The Star

Just before Bon Jovi launched into one of the evening's biggest moments, "You Give Love A Bad Name," a woman who looked very much like Mrs. Garth Brooks (Trisha Yearwood) made her way to a prime seat on the Sprint Center floor. If it was her, she no doubt recognized the mood that filled the place most of the night: raucous joy.

The second-biggest rock band out of New Jersey played for about 2.5 hours, and several times it set off the kind of timber-rattling sing-alongs that Brooks ignited for nine out of 10-straight nights back in November. 

Sonically and visually, this was one of the best Sprint Center show I've seen. The sound was good and the video screens gave fans up top and way in back a good view of the stage. The venetian-blind screens that flanked the stage were a very cool embellishment. The place looked nearly full. The seats in the upper-level behind the stage were curtained-off, probably because their views were obstructed by all the video stuff. There was a light smattering of empty seats elsewhere. I'm guessing about 15,000 were there.

Above: Chris Daughtry comes back to his home away from home: Thursday's was his fourth show in Kansas City in a year.

Daughtry opened the show; I was still outside in the rain, trying to get in, when his/their set started, so I missed part of it. I know he played "What I Want" and his gargantuan hits, "It's Not Over" and "Coming Home." This was his fourth show in KC in a year; I've seen three of them. They have beefed-up their sound since the VooDoo Lounge show; they had no trouble filling the arena. Chris Daughtry can hang with the big boys, too. He came out during Bon Jovi's set and joined in on "Blaze of Glory."

That was one of several large moments during the headliner's set, which included several songs from "Lost Highway," the band's venture into rootsy-rock. They grew up near the Jersey shore, but during the newer songs (and a few older ones) the Jovis sounded more Mellencamp than Springsteen. It all worked, thanks to a fail-proof formula: Simple, primal anthems about love, home and fighting through adversity-- keeping the faith.

Jon Bon Jovi is a mix of metrasexual rock-idol and down-home blue-collar showman, a guy who can appeal to both ends of the crowd -- the guys and the girls. And he's not afraid to add a little extra cheese when necessary -- like during "Bed of Roses," which he performed from a spot in the middle of the lower-level seats (in a bright red shirt unbuttoned below his sternum). The fans in and around that section ate that up, but it was one of the few lulls in the show. Blame that on the song, which is more showtune than rock ballad.

There were plenty of highlights: "Lost Highway," the opener and the title track from the latest album; "You Give Love A Bad Name," an early large moment; the Daughtry duet; "It's My Life" back-to-back with "Bad Medicine," which included a few rowdy choruses of the Isley Bros. classic "Shout"; "We Ain't Strangers Anymore," with the smoking-hot Lorenza Ponce filling in for Leann Rimes; and the funky, soulful "Keep the Faith," which has that great "Treat Her Like A Lady" vibe.

All that was a great build up to the encore, which featured two of the band's biggest hits. The sing-along during "Livin' On a Prayer" was volcanic. Someone handed Jon Bon Jovi a ball cap and he wore it for several seconds. It was a KU NCAA championship hat. That got a big roar. During "I Love This Town," the video screens broadcast sights and signs from around here: Gates Barbecue, fountains, stadiums. The Jayhawk logo, though, got the loudest and longest roar.

They ended with "Wanted Dead or Alive," which rocked nearly every face in the place. They'll be back Tuesday for a repeat -- their second show in five days. Those may not be Garth numbers, but the results are pretty much the same: lots of rowdy happiness.

|Timothy Finn, The Star

Setlist: Lost Highway; Born To Be My Baby; You Give Love a Bad Name; Raise Your Hands; I'll Sleep When I'm Dead/Gimme Some Lovin'; Blood Money; Blaze of Glory (with Chris Daughtry); Whole Lot of Leaving; 'Til We Ain't Strangers Anymore; In These Arms; Someday I'll Be Saturday Night; We Got It Goin' On; It's My Life; Bad Medicine/Shout; I'll Be There For You; (You Want To) Make a Memory; Bed of Roses; Who Says You Can't Go Home; Have a Nice Day; Keep the Faith; Livin' on a Prayer; I Love This Town; Wanted Dead or Alive.

Comments

[KSUlivy]

I personally thought the sound quality was horrible - you couldn't even understand the words to most of the songs, especially the Daughtry set. I was wondering if they even completed a sound check before the show. The Keith Urban concert sound was incredible, and Garth Brooks much better. Enjoyed the atmosphere, sound left much to be desired.

[Tim Finn]

Where were you sitting? I could understand pretty much everything. (I missed most of the Daughtry set)

[Mike]

I'm actually kind of pissed that this show happened. I bought tickets to next week's show thinking it was going to be the only one and then it was announced that not only was there going to be a second show, but it would take place BEFORE the first one which was already sold out?

Sort of like having tickets to the last concert of Garth. You get them first, but you see him last. Thanks to AEG, my tickets next week have a little less luster on them.

[Tim Finn]

I don't get it either. If April 17 was open and worked for both the band and Sprint Center, why not book that show first?

[mike]

One of the best concerts i have been to...crowd was excellent,Bon Jovi was terrific and the acoustics at Sprint center were unbelievable

[Troy]

I'm a huge rock fan and have never been able to understand the Bon Jovi phenom. Their stuff now is "safe rock" for the moms and dads that used to rock and now want to rock but feel their kids might be embarassed. Van Halen in Omaha back in Feb.....that was a rock show!

[The Big Lead]

Who's the biggest rock band out of New Jersey? The Jonas Brothers? No, seriously, I can't think of any other rock band from New Jersey that would be mentioned on this site

[Tim Finn]

My Chemical Romance ... The Feelies, The Misfits?

[Clint]

Troy you've got to be kidding me!!! The Boss is New Jersey!!

[Bob]

Um, anyone heard of the E Street Band?

[Julie]

I thought the acoustics at the Sprint Center last night for Bon Jovi were the worst I've ever heard at an indoor concert. This was my first visit to the Sprint Center and I would seriously think twice before I spent big bucks to see a concert there again. I thought maybe it was just where we were sitting but I asked other people and they didn't think the sound was any better where they were located. I could hardly hear or understand what Daughtry was singing. I was definitely disappointed in the sound quality.

[EsqEB]

My third concert at the Sprint center and I am always happy with the the venue. I didn't notice any bad sound and my seats were mediocre. Overall, thought they were fantastic. No Garth Brooks, but still rockin. I was disappointed that they turned Blaze of Glory into a duet with that American Idol guy. I love that song and wanted to hear Bon Jovi sing it all.

[Troy]

Ummm...Tim, read again, I didn't post about who the biggest rock band from N.J. was (is)...obviously it is the Boss! My comment is above my nametag, not below

[Fan]

I'm headed to the Tuesday show - not sure I understand the sensitivity to which show was first. There are bigger things to worry about these days...

I was there for Van Halen in the upper bowl and the sound was awful. I couldn't understand about half the lyrics. What I did hear was very distorted. I've never been to a concert with that bad a quality.

For Bon Jovi I'm sitting lower. If the sound quality is not much improved I can't justify going back to Sprint Center for a concert. I'm very hopeful it was just where I was sitting. Guess I'll find out.

[Tim Finn]

Yes, Troy, I realized that. That wasn't me who wrote "you've got to be kidding." It was Clint.

[Tim Finn]

Maybe I overstated the sound quality. It was good -- not great. But the combo of the good sound and the cool visuals made it a relly good show. I thought the sound was bad at Van Halen, too. It was better last night, cleaner. But BJ isn't nearly as heavy as VH.

[Troy]

The Van Halen show at Sprint Center had poor sound. I do know they had to high tail it to N.Y. the next day which is why the St. Louis show was cancelled. The sound in Omaha was fantastic, of course I was on the floor for that. Still, Van Halen plays circles around Bon Jovi. Sorry Tim, I did the same thing you did. It does look like the posts are for the name listed above, not below

[NEW JERSEY]

Since there are some mentions about the Boss and the E-Street band, here's to Danny "the phantom" Federici who past away yesterday from cancer. All the Boss fan will miss you.

[Jason]

Are you joking Tim? You are going to whine that your tickets are less lusterous because there is a second show? Go for the music and the performance not so you can feel special for having a certain ticket. Wow...

[Duh]

It's all about the music. Jon's an excellent frontman. He and the band have the chemistry to make the crowd go with them and make the big rock show. Trying to compare arena rock, heavy metal, good ol' redneck it's all about getting drunk and feeling sorry for myself country, and bluesy rock is like comparing apples and oranges. They don't even fit in the same category.

Sound quality -- I think it has to do with where you are sitting, whether you even know their songs, and whether you are there for the experience of a concert or expect what you hear out of your Bose stereo. Take a dose of reality. If that's what you expect, then you really are better off staying at home. I, for one, will be back to hear more of not only Bon Jovi, but my other favorite artists.

Thank God for the Sprint Center. I feel like there's hope for our city that certainly hasn't been there for far too many years.

[The Big Lead]

I actually would prefer to go to the second of two shows. My reasoning being that they would go all out for the latter. Garth Brooks show 9 was amazing.

[Tim Finn]

I'm not whining about anything. I planned on going to both. I just observed: If the 17th was already opened, why not book the first show that day?

[jamie]

Does anyone have a picture of him in the KU hat? I would love to get a hold of that for my son. We were at the concert but too far back on the floor for the picture to turn out very good.

[BH]

I've never been a huge Bon Jovi fan, but have always liked their stuff okay. Last night, my wife and I sat in row 5, center aisle on the floor. I have to say, It was one of the best shows I've ever attended.

Jon Bon Jovi is an incredibly gifted and energetic entertainer. He looks great, he knows it and he works it hard.

The sound was poor on the floor (could not make out many vocals), but the show was fantastic.

I'm just grateful that Kansas City finally has a downtown destination in the Power & Light District and The Sprint Center. Great stuff going on downtown.

[Geordan]

Bon Jovi? Ha, Ha ,Ha.....Really?? Good Lord. Mr. Finn sounds like a High School girl gushing about a boy band! Bon Jovi is to Rock Music what Oscar Mayer is to fine dining. They were everything that was wrong with Rock and Roll in 1988 and in 2008 they are just nostalgic fodder for all of the 80's Rock fans who suffered from a severe lack of imagination. They sold out two shows here?? Yep, Rock and Roll has now officially flat-lined.

[Sly from Canada]

Saw the BJ show in Vancouver Canada back in December and next to Springsteen's 1984 marathon, it was almost as good, playing at just shy of 3 hrs. The guys recorded 3 of their biggest albums in Vancouver so their show in my hometown was special because of all the backstories and memories they shared of those days.

When I made plans to visit friends in KC, I was thrilled to pick dates that coincided with BJ"s stops in KC. Went to the show on the 17th - floor seats no less - and would almost kill to see them again on the 22nd before I head back home. Great show, great crowd energy, completely different stage than Vanc show and at least 8-10 different songs in the set list - thanks KC & BJ for a great time!

To the person who requested a pic with Jon in the KU hat (sorry, I'm not a KU fan but a Tigers fan ;-) ) - was it you Tim? - I have one, it's not great and it's more of a side view so you can't see the logo much. If you want me to send it to you, let me know how.

My advice, run don't walk to see BJ on the 22nd...I sure hope to. ;-)

[Oscar Mayer]

:)

[Tim Finn]

I didn't request the KU/BJ photo. (I have daughters, no sons.) I was surprised at the reaction; I expected far more boos than cheers. Wasn't even close.

[Susie]

I got ticket for the show on the 17th for Christmas. Big vacation week highlighted by the Bon Jovi concert. I am in awe and would do it all again. I have been a fan since the 80's and realize there were harder rockers in the day, but what happened to them? They believed there own press and now the fans have little from them to follow. I'd rather have the smart safe rockers that have survived and thrived than the ones lost to adversity.

[Mike]

Folks it's a sports arena, not a concert hall. But the sound from where we were in Section 105 was great. The show was great too. I don't care if it is the 1st show, the second show or what. I'm just glad we can get the 1st rate concerts here again. And for those of you making fun of Bon Jovi, don't listen, don't go, don't comment.....do something better with your time. They sold out two shows in this town, that shows the staying power that they have.

[Lisa]

You said it Susie...I went, had a great time, loved it, wish I could go again!

[Tom (Don't Buy from Scalpers)]

The person commenting about losing the luster of his tickets must be a scalper by trade. I am more than happy he is dissapointed with his pay day.

[lyn]

The show made me feel like i was 13 again. Great show - fun band to watch on-stage - they were really enjoying themselves it seems. Sound quality was fine and we were around the curve to the side of the stage...so I thought it wouldn't be the best, but our seats were fantastic - right beside the stage.