Tabloid
Bon Jovi to wow the UAE crowd
Now, for the first time, Bon Jovi are coming to Abu Dhabi to wow the crowd and prove that even the desert can bloom with music.
- By Marten Youssef, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:21 May 20, 2008
- They have sold 120 million albums worldwide, with surprisingly less than 20 per cent of that total in the United States.
- Image Credit: AP
They have been single-handedly responsible for keeping rock music alive. Now, for the first time, Bon Jovi are coming to Abu Dhabi to wow the crowd and prove that even the desert can bloom with music. Bon Jovi stands for hard rock, and the group has defined and redefined the boundaries of rock since 1983.
tabloid! brings you a rundown of everything you need for an evening of Bon Jovi mayhem tonight.
Tickets
While the organisers are expecting a sell-out gig, there are some tickets still available at the Virgin Megastore in Abu Dhabi Mall or the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. There are also some available tickets online at www.boxofficeme.com
For the procrastinators, there will be tickets available at the door. The gamble may be fruitless considering there are a limited number of tickets. If you are going to take the risk, then you should arrive well ahead of the time when the doors open, which is 6 pm.
The tickets available at the door will be going for Dh580 for the grand stands and Dh890 for premium seats.
What to bring
Not that you would forget but another reminder to bring your camera never hurts. Don't rely on your phone cameras as lighting may be inadequate and distance may be too far.
Bringing your own food and beverage is strongly prohibited. There will be food and drink stands available so don't risk being kicked out just to smuggle in some munchies.
While there will be food and drinks available at the venue, it would be a good idea to have a proper meal before the concert. Drinking a lot of water earlier that day will help you avoid dehydration in this weather. If you are going to arrive early, it would be wise to bring sunscreen as the sun sets near 7pm.
As this will be an outdoor concert and night temperatures this time of year can be as high as 40 degrees Celsius, it would be wise to wear something breathable and light.
As tempting as it is to want to dress like a super-star yourself, take into account your comfort; looking good will mean nothing if you are uncomfortable.
Bring extra cash with you as credit card machines may be down and items at such venues are often highly priced.
Expect some details to not go according to plan and when in doubt, dance the night away!
Parking
If you haven't learned from the Elton John or Justin Timberlake concert, expect the parking to be busy. Also, concert-goers have reportedly waited four hours just to catch a taxi from the Palace after the concert.
To avoid ruining this night for you just because of tedious details, here are some ideas.
If you do take a taxi to the Palace, plan to spend several hours waiting for one to take you back.
It's strongly recommended you find a safe and legal parking nearby and walk 15 or even 20 minutes to and from the Palace. There will be parking available on the western entrance of Emirates Palace, towards the beach. The Abu Dhabi police will be directing traffic and handling the parking.
If you have the luxury of having friends who want to drop you off and pick-you up, that might be the best option, but keep in mind that concert will start at 9pm and will most likely go into the early hours.
Hit machine
Hot as ever, still alive and kicking, Bon Jovi is one band that has stood the test of time and continues to churn out great songs.
Here's a list of songs the Bon Jovi fans at tabloid! hope the boys will belt out:
You Give Love a Bad Name
A true rock song with strong guitar riffs and vocals, The song's lyrics, about a bitter breakup, will probably ring true for a lot of fans out there.
Livin' on a Prayer
A memorable song about a couple, working hard to make ends meet - one many of us can relate to these days.
Bed of Roses
Every band has its ballads and this is Bon Jovi's. This beautifull song is sure to melt every women's heart at the concert.
It's My Life
It feels so good to sing along to this one. It simply says: make the most of your life. You only get one chance.
Never Say Goodbye
A ballad about first love and days gone by, bringing back nostalgic memories from those teenage years. Plus, a magnificent guitar solo.
Keep the faith
This is a song on accomplishing anything you set your mind to. It says not to listen to people who will bring you down, but to do what you think is right.
Wanted Dead or Alive
A song that is sure to bring the lighters out and open arms from his female fans. It is considered an anthem for Bon Jovi fans.
Keeping the faith
From Sayreville, New Jersey, a town of 40,000 people, Bon Jovi was created out of garage-band dreams. At just 13 years old, Jon Bon Jovi started playing piano and guitar and created his first band: Raze. At 16, Jon met David Bryan, who would later become one of his closest friends and current keyboard player for the group.
After several failed attempts to get some airtime on local radio stations in 1982, Jon took a job at a Manhattan recording studio where he was able to record some demos. Once there, he contacted a local New York radio station, WAPP 103.5FM, and was convinced to give his Runaway song for the stations homegrown talent CD, which he reluctantly did. The song quickly gained popularity and was played throughout New York.
Before long, the group was opening for local bands. They signed their first record deal with Mercury Records and released their debut album on January 21, 1984.
The group's name comes from the lead singer's name: Jon Bon Jovi, who helped in forming the five-member band in 1983 with himself as lead singer. With guitarist Richie Sambora, David Bryan on the keyboard, Alec John Such on bass and Tico Torres on the drums, the group hit what many thought would be their peak in the mid 1980s selling millions of records around the globe.
Although the setback of Such's departure in 1994 affected them briefly, Bon Jovi have kept climbing to unprecedented fame over the past 25 years. They have sold 120 million albums worldwide, with surprisingly less than 20 per cent of that total in the United States. Their global fame puts them in a league of their own.
With their collaboration with country music stars, Bon Jovi proved the adaptability and diversity in their talent. In 2007 they won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration for Who Says you Can't Go Home, which was based on Jon's love for his New Jersey roots.
From this perspective, it almost makes sense that no-one will be opening for the mega-band.
"It would be impossible to try and find some one to open for them," said Lee Charteris, the events production manager. They are really in a class of their own."
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