Bristol Review: Ashton Gate Stadium

From Guide2Bristol

On Monday night I went to see the Bon Jovi gig at Ashton Gate in Bristol. Not as a fan, and thinking I wouldn't really enjoy it - but I left having been totally converted. The performance was fantastic. They still have it...especially Jon Bon Jovi!

The band came out to the screams of over 25,000 fans of all ages, from newborns (a baby in a sling!) to grannies. As Jon took the stage the screams reached a crescendo, which was only topped during the encore.

Jon spoke to the crowd and drew them in to his ‘crazy summer holiday’ as he called it, wanting to heat up the crowd. He sure did that! They played a number of the old hits which were welcomed by the fans, especially the women, who also loved his rendition of Pretty Woman for them. The band too were great, with drum and guitar solos raising the heat in the stadium ready for Blaze of Glory.

As the light started to fade and the spotlights came on we knew the gig was coming to an end. The encore included Wanted Dead or Alive with a fantastic guitar solo, before ending with my favourite Living on a Prayer. The audience all joined in, and if there had been a roof over Ashton Gate it would have been lifted.

Bon Jovi finished by thanking the crowd for their support over the last 3 decades, and it was hard to believe having watched the concert that they have been around for so long.

A really fantastic night enjoyed by all, and after around two and a half hours of sheer enjoyment I was disappointed it had to finish so soon.

~ Hath