THE MORE THINGS CHANGE...

March 25, 2011

The more they stay the same.

A lot has changed since 1983, however Bon Jovi is a self-proclaimed constant. Their hair—while still feathered—isn't as long, but their shirts are just as sleeveless, their charm just as magnetic, and their sound better than ever.

The packed house erupted at the first strums of "Blood on Blood", the sound was loud and crisp, every word reached the highest rafters of Rogers Arena that was bursting at the seams.

"This ain't television, get up out of your seat!" Jon Bon Jovi instructed the crowd, but it was pretty obvious everyone was already in compliance, the crowd was feeding off the band's passion.

Just to be safe they rolled out "Shot Through the Heart" next, daring anyone to try not to stand and sing along.

Exuding youthful energy, despite three decades of rock under their belts, Bon Jovi (lead singer), Richie Sambora (guitarist), David Bryan (keyboardist), and Tico Torres (drummer), haven't lost any stage presence and show no signs of slowing down.

The setlist that spanned nearly three hours, dug out everyone's favourite from the New Jersey boys' repertoire, including "It's My Life", "Runaway"—off their 1984 debut album—and "Blaze of Glory".

It was a great set up. The stage accommodated the full stadium, making every seat available to the fans that filled them, or rather stood in front of them. Placed near one end of the arena the stage was stamped with the band's logo and surrounded by a slew screens and lights.

The band had nothing but love for the Vancouver crowd, reminiscing about the time spent in the city which included recording their Slippery When Wet album that bore "You Give Love a Bad Name" and really catapulted them into super-stardom.

Touring to support their Greatest Hits album, Bon Jovi dedicated "When We Were Beautiful" to opening act Ryan Star of Rock Star: Supernova fame, a singer-songwriter hailing from Long Island, who got the show started with an energetic set.

After Sambora took the reins for "Lay Your Hands on Me", Bon Jovi made his way to the middle of the catwalk to serenade the crowd with "Bed of Roses".

The show recaptured the crowd’s youth, bad perms and neon stirrup pants forgiven or forgotten, tonight was a trip down memory lane to the good ol' days on a vehicle of classic rock anthems.

It was everything a rock concert should be, but better. The sound polished, supported by a touring bassist and guitarist, the talent and charisma of the band took the show to another level.

The encore was one full of classics, "Have a Nice Day", "Wanted Dead or Alive", and "Livin' on a Prayer", bringing the epic show to a close, but not before fans cheered one final song—"Always"—out of the iconic group.

Tonight was the first of two back-to-back Vancouver shows. Saturday night the main attraction will be the sole performers—show starts at 7:30pm—for An Evening with Bon Jovi, highlighting the group's signature, Grammy Award-winning sound.

"Good night, round two tomorrow!"