4 Lamberts: An Evening with Bon Jovi

Last Wednesday night Bill and I headed to the Excel Center in Saint Paul for a concert featuring Daughtry as the opening act and then Bon Jovi headlining. I had been anticipating this concert since purchasing tickets back in November -- killer seats I might add. We arrived with ample time to have some dinner and a drink prior to the show so headed to the Liffy (an Irish Bar connected to the Holiday Inn) and quickly determined we needed to grab any free spot we could find (forget seating down) where there was room to simply place a plate of food we would share. The mood was festive, Bon Jovi music was playing overhead and we felt totally in our element as we looked around the room and determined that 99% of the crowd was the same age as us. We quickly made friends with everyone around us -- as squeezed in as we were it was impossible not to strike up conversations. We shared a plate of fish and chips, tried to visit a little but it was tough over the noise level. Finally, not wanting to miss Daughtry we headed across the street to the Excel Center.

Our seats were fantastic -- first level, about 10 rows up from the floor and at about midway point in the stadium. The only bad part was the two guys sitting to my left. Clearly they were drinking way too much and as the night progressed the one directly to my left managed to spill his beer down the back of my sweater and jeans, hit me in the head THREE times while he was dancing and finally lose his balance and fall right on top of me pushing me face first down into my seat! Bill, to my right, was unaware of most of this but couldn't figure out why I was very much invading his space. :-)

Daughtry was really good. Not being an Idol fan I never knew of him or his music until it started playing on the local airways. My iPod happily houses many Daughtry songs and obviously get played often as Ryan and Anna sing right along with me to the music. The only comment I would have is that this sold out (18,000) stadium seemed a bit overwhelming for him. I would imagine getting comfortable in a setting that large takes time. My pictures aren't the best but here is Daughtry on stage.

Bon Jovi hit the stage not long after and did not disappoint. This was their 2nd show at the Excel having played the night before as well. I was concerned that they might be tired. I couldn't have been more wrong. I think it also helped that they were fueled by the excitement of a 10-day tour break beginning the next day (sadly I think Richie Sambora is enjoying his time off too much given the DUI he received earlier this week). They kept up an energized and steady pace for two hours. They certainly know how to play to their fans. About mid-way through the show Jon noticeably disappeared from stage and Richie took over front and center and performed a number. I was very excited because thanks to my dear friend Katie I knew exactly where he would reappear -- on a platform strategically placed at the bottom of the section next to us. What a close up view we got! Several numbers were performed before a throng of security guards escorted him back to the main stage.