Concert Stories #38: Bon Jovi with Soraia

Bon Jovi (3^rd time)

Opener: Soraia

Summerfest

Marcus Amphitheater

July 25, 2009

Age 26

I feel like Bon Jovi has been talked about too many times already on this blog, but there are still shows to discuss!  In 2009 Bon Jovi played the opening night of Summerfest, which I attended with my friends Shannon, Jodie, and Claudia.  Bon Jovi had done a massive tour the previous year for their album Lost Highway and while playing Summerfest was not officially part of that tour it seemed like a bonus date added to the end.  This was also still when the great Richie Sambora was still part of the band as well (please reunite Jon and Richie!)  While Jon Bon Jovi still sounds amazing live, it is not a secret that his long career has taken a toll on his voice.  Sambora provided heavy vocals in backing up Jon's voice and they sounded great together.  Sambora is basically the lead for "I'll Be There For You" and was amazing to hear.  Overall the show was just as excellent as the two previous times I had seen Bon Jovi.  They played just over two hours and included their long list of hits.  My favorite songs, "Keep the Faith" and "Wanted Dead or Alive", were of course played and as excellent as ever.  What's funny for me is that I pretty much know Jon's dance moves for certain songs and I love them every time they happen.  

A great addition to the night was the fireworks.  Summerfest's opening night typically has an amazing set of fireworks and because we were in the bleachers of the Marcus Amphitheater, we were able to see the show while watching Bon Jovi played as well!

Opening the night was Soraia and I am sure they were great but I have zero memory of seeing them sadly.

What I do remember specifically was the end of the night.  It was so incredibly hot and I had been dancing so much that I was grossly sweaty. When giving hugs good-bye I said not to hug me because I was so gross and Claudia didn't care and hugged me anyways.  When she felt the back of my tank top I remember her pulling away and exclaiming "Wow, you weren't kidding!".  Nope, I go hard when a great band is playing.

Warning: terrible pictures below!