Bon Jovi, Forever tour, Edinburgh review: 'Hokey and fun'
The running theme of the night was his relish at singing these songs again.
Bon Jovi’s Forever tour is a significant milestone for frontman Jon Bon Jovi, singing live for the first time since undergoing vocal cord surgery in 2022.
But while all eyes and ears were on him, he presented a united front with the band in a short intro film before striding on stage together like an ageing gang.
They opened with the stadium bombast of With A Little Help From My Friends (the Joe Cocker version), with Bon Jovi emitting croaky earnestness while the band provided the soaring call and response vocals.
This was a statement of intent with a power and hunger missing from their own songs, such as We Weren't Born to Follow, a meat and potatoes invocation to plough your own furrow.
The hokey but fun You Give Love A Bad Name was the first banger of set, with Bon Jovi rooted to spot giving it maximum focus.
The running theme of the night was his relish at singing these songs again. “I'm just getting warmed up now,” he declared as the band fired up It's My Life.
By this point, the group had delivered the country-flavoured Whole Lot of Leavin’, guitarist Phil X riffing freely, sporran to the side for ease of play.
Keyboard player Dave Bryan ushered in overwrought ballad Bed of Roses, wailed with such passion by the crowd that Bon Jovi could take a rest.
But there was no beating the jubilation which accompanied Livin’ On a Prayer, their hair metal take on the working class hero schtick of fellow New Jerseyite Bruce Springsteen.
Arguably, they peaked too soon but there were a few hokey favourites in reserve, not least encore selections Wanted Dead Or Alive and the dumb fun of Bad Medicine, featuring a soulful if shouty vocal cameo from percussionist Everett Bradley.
His frontman, meanwhile, was positively giddy, pressing flesh in the front rows and skipping around the Murrayfield stage like a performer reborn.
Edinburgh setlist:
With a Little Help From My Friends
Beautiful Drug
We Weren’t Born to Follow
Lost Highway
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
Legendary
Whole Lot of Leavin’
Bed of Roses
In These Arms
These Days
This House is Not For Sale
It’s My Life
Livin’ on a Prayer
Raise Your Hands
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
Hey God
Keep the Faith
I’ll Be There for You
Wanted Dead or Alive
Bad Medicine
Always
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