The day started with the chaos of working out the system of ticket buying
for the Ferry from Hong Kong stressing about the rush of getting through
Immigration in time to make it to the ferry to Macau (here's a tip allow
yourself 45 minutes to an hour on weekends - we made it just on 30 min and
it was very busy). Finally cleared Immigration and bolted down to the
gate being told to 'hurry up' by officials along the way. Onto the
ferry into our seats and moments later we were on our way to Macau (and in
the seat pocket was the casino magazine with JBJ on the cover and a multiple
page article inside) - its actually quite a smooth trip too as you go out
and see all the huge container ships on the way. Its very well
organised once you arrive you go to the correct bus for your casino and it
takes you directly there with advice on where to find the bus to depart back
to the ferry after the show. The ferry terminal is next to the airport
and there were two private planes parked there right at the fence - guessed
one was Bon Jovi's and turns out it was! Unfortunately didn't think to
take a photo but it was right there as the first Bon Jovi thing in Macau.
Once inside the casino it was a bit confusing at first as it and the
surrounding shopping malls were massive (however there were maps of the
complex available) and you had to withdraw local currency as although its on
par with the HK dollar the latter may not be accepted everywhere.
Walking around the shops nearly everywhere there were huge TVs with ads for
the Bon Jovi show running back to back - could have watched that all day
however instead walked around the shops with designer brands literally
everywhere.
Part of the VIP package was merchandise where we collected a tour poster, t
shirt, lanyard, etc on the way in plus there was merchandise available once
you were inside and on heading down to the seats it was fantastic to see
that the front area was basically a fenced off pit area. So like the
2013 tour VIP tickets meant we didnt have to worry about anyone running down
from the back and pushing in. Brilliant!. As tickets had gone on
sale well before I knew we were going I ended up in the last row of the VIp
section but dead centre and when seatholders in front of me either didn't
turn up or went into the aisle to get closer it meant that I had a clear
view of the stage as seen in the wider shots below (due to the wide angle
effect they make it look further back than it really was as I was in the 9th
row).
So we get the countdown music again and the band hits the stage and starts
with Radio Saved My Life Tonight- YES !!! They played this at the soundcheck
in Adelaide in Dec 13 but didn't play it during the actual show instead
playing it in Perth and later Sydney shows I wasn't at so it was awesome to
see it live!! Thought this show might be a bit different since they
had played a more standard setlist the night before at the first Macau show.
Next up was Runaway and then You Give Love a Bad Name followed by Born to Be
My Baby which wasn't played in Singapore. We Got It Goin' On was next
and then What About Now (great to see this one in the list too - loved the
album and great to see this also kept in the concert playlists). They
slowed it down a little at that point with Lost Highway (yes you will see a
'hey hey' photo below!) and then Whole Lot of Leavin'. Nearly at the
midpoint of the show and Jon introduced We Don't Run of Burning Bridges -
very similar to No Apologies in that its an easy song to listen to and learn
at the live show without knowing the full lyrics word for word.
Hopefully they keep it as an occasional song for the setlist in the future
being one of those stand up and fight type anthems.
Next up It's My Life again absolutely brilliant as a live song always one of
their standout songs which was then followed by Because we Can.
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night was next then Make a Memory as the tempo
slowed down momentarily. It was then into Wanted Dead or Alive - no
problems this time as Phil X launched into the solo. I'll Sleep When
I'm Dead was next followed by Who Say's You Can't Go Home that was also
omitted at Singapore so was great to see it back tonight with both being fun
songs to liven up the crowd leading into the lengthy Keep The Faith which
always ends with the focus on the keyboards and guitars as they have their
own duel. To end the main set it was Bad Medicine with the Jon leap in
the air and then it was dark.
Now there had been a few sound glitches early on, later on it seemed the
microphone dropped out here and there and the break to the encore ended up
strangely longer than usual. Obviously small glitches outside the
bands control but made us wonder if something was going on in the background
of this brilliant show. On the published setlist we are all so used to
there was suppose to be 4 songs in the encore but unfortunately Last Man
Standing and In These Arms (I was so hoping the latter would be played and
it seemed it was due) were crossed out seemingly last minute and when Bon
Jovi returned to the stage it was straight into Have a Nice Day.
Another absolutely rousing rendition of that song and it was then into
Living on a Prayer - I know the crowds go wild but its always tinged with
the fact we know its going to be the end of the concert and for many the end
of the tour for a year or so til Bon Jovi heads out on the main tour.
The biggest surprise though was there was no final bow - everyone took the
final applause in their positions and then departed the stage.
It was absolutely brilliant concert well worth the extra travel to be there
and that was the end of our trip - straight after the show it was back on
the ferry to Hong Kong and then the next day the start of the trip back to
Australia to wait patiently til they announce the tour dates hopefully
including Australia in Nov/Dec next year for the tour due to follow the
album release next year.
Please note this images are copyright to Jenny Barnes and are not to be
copied/distributed/used in anyway without approval.
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