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Bon Jovi blasts off at the O2
By Valentine Low Last updated at 09:46am on 26.06.07
The O2 Arena celebrated the show with a fireworks display
Jon Bon Jovi on stage at the O2 Arena
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From the opening chords of Livin' On A Prayer to the fireworks on the roof which signed off the evening, the Bon Jovi concert which opened the new O2 arenawas everything the owners could have wanted. It was loud, it was raucous, it had all the hits - and, best of all, it even included a plug from Jon Bon Jovi for the venue once known as the Millennium Dome.
"Good evening London, England," he announced. "Welcome to your brand new house. This is called the O2 - and the way I'm judging the crowd out here, who the hell needs Wembley Stadium?"
Read our review of the concert here
Gallery: See more pictures from the gig here
With those words, AEG Entertainments must have hoped that the misfortune which has dogged the Dome since its inception was finally banished and the curse of the Dome no more.
After all, in their minds spending £350 million converting it from a costly white elephant to a slick new entertainment complex must surely be enough to ensure the venue a shiny, happy future.
Perhaps, then, it was best that they did not overhear the words of Laura Bray, who turned up with her friend, took one look around and said: "This place is mental."
Somewhere between her bad journey - she had tried coming by boat, and ended up having to complete the journey by cab - and the mass of O2 mobile network branding all over the complex, Ms Bray was feeling overwhelmed.
"It looks like a shopping centre," said the 24-year-old account handler from Islington. "I keep thinking I'm going to find a Topshop around the corner."
Indeed, the main concourse did look uncommonly like a high street - or perhaps more accurately, the shopping malls at Gatwick Airport. One could eat at Nando's, Pizza Express, the Slug & Lettuce and a host of similar places. Anyone with an O2 account could text a number and get access to the "exclusive" blueroom bar.
But rock fans - stadium rock fans in particular - are generally pretty easily satisfied. Give them the tunes they want, food which isn't a health risk and bars where you don't have to start a fight to get a drink, and they will go away happy; and they went away happy.
"It's very stylish," said Debra Witting, 43, a hotelier from Dartmoor. "It does not feel like going to a stadium. We were right at the top, and occasionally the acoustics were a bit dodgy. Sometimes when he was talking you couldn't hear. There was quite a good selection of food - not just burgers."
"It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant," said Stacey Clay, 29, a teacher from Thurrock - although judging from her expression it could have been a view somewhat influenced by her admiration for all things Bon Jovi.
"There were more toilets, which was a bonus.The seats were comfy, too." One has to admire the self belief of AEG Entertainments. On the walkway from the Tube to the entrance there is a poster wall recording great moments in rock history, from Elvis Presley's That's Alright Mama to Anarchy in the UK and Live Aid. For 2007 the entry reads: "The O2 opens."
Reader views (8)
Don't understand the tube problems, there were big signs at the station giving the times of the last trains which were plenty late enough. And the concert finished 10.30 which is early. Maybe some confusion because the ticket office was closing before the last train, but again plenty of warning signs to buy the return on the way in. As far as I'm concerned best arena in London by far and very well organised.
- Hugh, Surrey
Bon Jovi were fantastic - which is a good job as the venue was a huge let down. The hour-long scrum for the merchandise stall was laughable, there is only one set of toilets around the outside of the actual arena (in the "entertainment" area), the queues for the restaurants were laughable (a 20 minute queue just to be told that there was a 2 hour wait for a table at one place!) - a situation which could have been improved had the gates to the actual arena opened before 6, so that people had access to the food outlets and toilets there. The "artistic performances" around the venue to celebrate to opening were frankly dull and took up so much space that the public had to be herded like cattle. The enormous inflatable lobster and octopus were pointless.
We also had a pre-booked parking space which was great upon (early) arrival, but leaving was a nightmare, and at half past midnight we were still in the queue to get out of the car park. Given the lack of directions to any sort of public transport for those not familiar with the local area however, it was probably preferable.
I'm sure that with a little organisation, and perhaps once the place is actually finished (ie all the restaurant/bar units are filled and open) and maybe some common sense - it can and will be a great venue.
- Helen Wood, Sheffield, UK
What a fantastically rocking night! I've loved Bon Jovi for 20 years and have seen them a few times before but this was awesome. Being on the front row made it all the better for me, I could virtually reach out and touch Jon, Richie, Dave and Tico.. GREAT! From the first note played to the very last the Bon Jovi boys had the crowd screaming for more. With 2 encores they certainly delivered a memorable night and one I definitely won't forget. Bring on the tour in 2008…. I’ll be there that’s for sure.
- Leanda Walters, LLandudno, Wales
Bon Jovi were brilliant! Richie was a star! He was back to being his fab self, Jon looked gorgeous and the band sounded great. Well worth paying for, its the 22nd time I have seen them and they still do it for me!
Brilliant.
- Vanessa Hart, Stockport, England
Bon Jovi were fantastic - it's a good job as everything else wasn't - we waited in the merchandise crush for an hour to be told the t-shirts were sold out! We travelled from the Midlands to see them shame the transport links let it down. The tube was like a cattle truck and no information given to 'outside' London visitors to aid the quick get away - we were told the tube link at waterloo closed at 10.30 so we joined the taxi queue with everyone else from 'outside' London but there were no taxi's! Get it sorted - can't see Justin or Barbara sitting in traffic can you?
- Lesley Murray, walsall, UK
Bon Jovi was amazing! Best concert ever, the whole band rocked can’t wait for the next tour. Respect to Richie for being there also. Amazing!
- Carron Omalley, Flintshire North Wales
The Bon jovi boys did themselves proud at the O2 because they ROCKED it! It was wicked to see Richie at his brilliant best as well!
The O2 arena was very impressive and I would definitely go back to see another concert(especially a Bon jovi concert!).
- Paul Levick, Redruth, Cornwall
Bon Jovi rocked the O2 arena! It was great to see Richie back on top form!
It was the first time I have been to the building, and was very impressed with what I saw. Just be careful if you are in the upper tier, its pretty steep up there!
- Mrs Julie Levick, Redruth, UK
