Could Bon Jovi concerts help solve the world's problems?

Last month Jon Bon Jovi returned to Perth. The last time he was here I was working, but managed to stroll by Subiaco Oval and heard the dying snippets of the show. At the time I promised myself that if he ever made it back to Perth again I’d definitely go. Fast forward a year or so and he was here again. You guessed it … I was trapped in a round of Christmas deadlines. Nothing like having an incentive to make sure a report gets finished on time. Two hours before the show started, fingers were crossed, the call was made, and a ticket purchased.

Bon Jovi © The Ponder Room

The first thing that struck me was there was no massive backdrop, no trapeze and definitely no meat dress. Just a band, some lights, a few guitars and great songs. It was all about the music.

Bon Jovi © The Ponder Room

The night evolved into part Rock and Roll, part evangelical church gathering, as the crowd worshipped at the altar of Bon Jovi.

Bon Jovi © The Ponder Room

I’ve never heard a crowd sing so loud, clap their hands, and wave their arms in the air right from the start of the show. Even the scariest, thick set guy perched next to me was out of his seat swaying his arms skyward.

The church like gathering was filled with creeds of ‘I’m going to live while I’m alive and sleep when I’m dead’. Given I’d had about 15 hours sleep in three days I could definitely relate to that one.

The usual suspects ‘Living On A Prayer’, ‘Have A Nice Day’ appeared and didn’t disappoint. Bon Jovi also threw in a number of ‘Juke Box’ sessions one of which included a rendition of ‘Start Me Up’.

This acted as a perfect taster of what was to come when the Stones arrive later this year …

Bon Jovi © The Ponder Room

With no interval the show, and crowd, built to such a frantic state that I started to ponder …

Whether they had heart defibrillators on standby, and if so whether they’d be offered on a first come, first served basis, or would they have to employ a ticketing system like the Woolworths Deli counter?
You could tell it was hard for Bon Jovi to leave the stage at the end of the night. How on earth does he come down from that? If I was having trouble I can’t imagine what it must be like for the band.
Considering how the incredibly diverse crowd joined as one, perhaps ongoing issues around diversity, lack of community spirit, and intergenerational problems could be solved by everyone joining in a chorus of ‘you give love a bad name’ … just a thought.

One things for sure, never has a man looked so good playing with his maracas. Here are a few more photo from the night …