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David Smyth's rating
Showman answers the prayers
By
David Smyth
25 Jun 2007
The arena is the biggest indoor entertainment complex in London and naturally the world's biggest stars will choose it in preference to Wembley Arena or Earls Court.
I think I prefer it too. Inside it appears smaller than its rivals, rising upwards rather than backwards to create a slightly less impersonal amphitheatre. The seats were comfier, beer, hot dogs and water prices were not outrageous, nor was the wait to escape - 25 minutes from the lights going up to sitting on the Tube.
Gallery: See more pictures from the gig here
Bon Jovi didn't tax the state-oftheart facilities much with an unfussy set of buoyant rock'n'roll in front of a feeble backdrop reminiscent of ancient computer screensavers. With his strung-out showman's entrance and teeth so white he barely needed the light show, Jon Bon Jovi was the energetic focal point.
He worked the crowd like the old pro he is. Old favourites such as Livin' on a Prayer and Wanted Dead or Alive sounded as good as is possible in a space this size. They were the first of many more classic hits to be enjoyed here.
O2 will have a long wait if the company thinks people are ever going to stop calling it the Dome, but at least now they will actually want to go there. London will love it yet.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (15)
Bon Jovi were fantastic and was impressed by the o2 itself, however the queue for merchandise I dont think it was even a queue it was just whoever got there first got served all in all waited 45 mins to get a t-shirt. However frustration turned to when we got out of the o2 to find the tube station was shut and was told only method of transport was getting a coach (the last thing you want to do after a concert) the o2 sureley must realise how many people will be getting public transport considering there are only 2,000 car parking spaces and I feel they should have been more prepared of the volume of people, instead of just shutting the tube.
- Danielle, Essex, 27/06/2007 14:28
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Bon Jovi 'A' Class as always loved every second, we were on 1st tier so had no problems with sound at all.
Had problems getting any food or drink as all the restaurants weren't open and queues were horrendous, but once through to the arena it was a different story, loads of food and drink just a shame that we couldn't even attempt to get through as doors didn't open until after 6.
Car park could have been better organised it took well over an hour to even move 100 yards, cars were trying to get out from all angles so ended up being one big mess trying to get off the carpark, we eventually got home to the Midlands at 4.30 am but Bon Jovi worth every second, the pluses far out weighed the minuses.
- Jayne Newell, West Mids UK, 27/06/2007 10:45
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Fantastic venue with a great opening gig by Bon Jovi. Some teething problems which I am sure will be sorted in time.
The arena itself-brilliant. Great view for all. Nice to see all the stage without having to just get glimpses between people's heads.
Bon Jovi were just brill, great tracks and good interaction with the crowd. My highlight hearing the crowd sing 'wanted, dead or alive'.
In all, a memorable day/evening out.
- Steve Knowling, Sudbury, England, 27/06/2007 08:33
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Wow! Great to see the Dome back in action again- and what better way than Bon Jovi rocking the night away. Brilliant show and good to see the band in top form still going strong.
The new O2 arena is an impressive venue with it's state-of-the-art facilities and a wide selection of restaurants and bars to choose from...can't wait to see the rest of the complex completed.
With something for everyone. This must surely put SE10 back on the map! Just what we need in the South East of the capital.
- Paul Sackman, Erith, Kent. UK, 26/06/2007 22:07
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The O2 looks to be a great venue for top bands to perform, Bon Jovi played a great set. Unfortunatly the sound was very disapointing, needed to be much louder and the mix was a mile off, vocals were unclear and at time Richie Sambora's sound seemed to disappear during lead breaks. Very wimpy sound.
- Graham Nixon, Norwich, 26/06/2007 20:08
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The O2 is a wonderful venue. However, until the doors opened, 20,000 people (of which probably over half were women) had to make do with only 6 toilets - masssive queue! Also, there was only 1 merchandise stand with no queing system - nightmare! Took an hour to get out of the car park too.
Having said all that, Bon Jovi were great as ever. The sound was a little muffled though.
- Sharon, Kent, 26/06/2007 19:52
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Bon Jovi were excellent, (as always). Would go to the o2 again. We went by car, parking was good, straight in and straight out at the end of the night. Just wish we could of seen the fireworks as we missed them because we were in the o2.
- Claire Skoulding, Suffolk, 26/06/2007 17:23
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Disappointed that the half the restaurants weren't open. Queues were horrendous. Queues for the loos outside the arena were even worse. We pre-paid to park, via Ticketmaster, and were charged £20 plus £2.30 booking fee. On arrival at o2 we were told the machines in the car parks weren't working so they had no way of checking if people had prepaid or not and they were letting anyone in to park and hoping people were being honest!
Don't understand why the doors to the arena weren't opened until 6.10pm. Once we got inside the arena it was a completely different experience. Lots of food and drink venues and clean toilets with fewer queues.
Absolutely loved the show and thought Bon Jovi were on top form.
Got back to the car park and then had to queue for an hour to get out.
Didn't get home until 2.a.m. due to M25 diversions.
I'm sure there were teething problems but feel that the o2 will be a good concert venue when everything is open and running as it should be.
- Angela, Guildford, Surrey, 26/06/2007 14:06
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Bon Jovi's performance was absolutely tops, but there were four of us in my group and all were disappointed with the sound, finding it a bit too soft and indistinct to understand. We got by because we knew the songs from Bon Jovi, but still don't really know what the guest band is even called as we couldn't understand what they were saying!
- Michka, Richmond, UK, 26/06/2007 11:59
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The show was fantastic, getting there was a nightmare, we made the mistake of purchasing The Thames Clipper tickets online on the O2 Website only to be told by more than one person at more than one pier we where at the wrong place or the boat did not go from here, only to be told by the pier that we went to yet again we where on the the wrong pier, In the end in a panic to get to the show we ended up catching a taxi which cost us a lot of money. On our return journey we got on what we thought was the clipper at the o2 arena only to be told that the boat we where on was from another company as The Clippers where full up, this boat then only went to London Bridge so we had to pay for another taxi to get us back to our accommodation.
This was a horrible experience walking around London on a Sunday night not knowing where you where. As the taxi driver commented we must really love Bon Jovi to go through what we went through. Never again will I book a concert in the O2 arena.
This place has to realise that visitors from outside London will go and ensure that the transport system is not just there but well sign posted.
- Anon, l/derry ni, 26/06/2007 10:51
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The punters who used the tube may have been ok. But those who were ripped off by Thames Clippers suffered! The clipper was supposed to take 30 minutes to get back to the London Eye, 1 hour and 40 minutes later (10 minutes after the last tube) we made it! 45 pound taxi ride later we made it home.
Don't get suckered into using this service.
The stadium is great and Bon Jovi were awesome.
- Andrew, South Harrow, England, 25/06/2007 20:33
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To be expected to pay £20 parking after ticket price beyond a joke! £4 for a beer!
Only 1/4 of restaurants open and had to queue 45mins for a table!
Jon Bon Jovi not on form - most disappointing! Would have been more at home in Las Vegas!!Have seen Jovi many times but this was the worst - no atmosphere and it was like he didn't really want to be there. Good to see Richie back but never again!
- Donna, Dartford/ UK, 25/06/2007 20:01
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Brilliant show and fantastic venue! The food and drink were fairly priced for London, with plenty of choice. Some of the restaurant areas were not open yet, but will only improve the choice once they are. The only downside was the steep seating meant those with a fear of heights could not sit at the top. Several 'hardened rockers' had to leave as the 'nothing in front of you' view got to them. It is a bit like standing on the edge and looking over the cliff. Health and Safety must have cleared the venue but there will be accidents on the steep stairs...It will become a No1 entertainments venue, but O2 will have to keep up the insurance!
- Trev, North Walsham, 25/06/2007 14:12
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I arrived at 5pm hoping to enjoy the advertised restaurant facilities before the gig and it was chaos - over a two hour queue for food and the one open toilet block couldn't cope with the number of people. I left went to Canary Wharf for an hour or so and when I returned things had improved dramatically. More food areas were open (as were more toilets). The arena itself was good with reasonable leg room and comfy seats. I was in the lower tier and had a fantastic view. I'm not sure those with vertigo could manage any higher however as the upper tier is very steep.
Bon Jovi were fabulous - the O2 Arena rocked and it was a fantastic opening event. Jon's performance gave me goosebumps, Richie was on fire on guitar, David didn't stop smiling once and Tico was as solid as always on drums. Travelling to the event was easy, no agro getting tube/train links. I'd certainly return to this arena.
- Debbie Col, Essex, England, 25/06/2007 13:11
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It was my 1st Bon Jovi concert and I thought it was great! Definitely didn't disappoint. Loads of hits and had a few songs from the new album too. Definitely the best act they could find to open the O2 Arena in my view.
- Laura Hall, London, UK, 25/06/2007 12:45
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