Living on a prayer (again)

It's not Glastonbury, but it's raining and I'm with thousands of others watching a famous group performing under canvas.

"Hello London. Welcome to the O2, your brand new home. And by the sound of the crowd in here tonight... who the hell needs Wembley anyway??" Jon, you've got to let it go...

Some how I've once again ended up at a Bon Jovi concert - and this time it really is the opening gig in a new venue - and it's all a bit surreal. The venue is the O2 - the Dome as was. Easy to get to, but a real pain to get back from on a Sunday night as the tube finishes earlier. This has meant a bit of rethink and we drive most of the way, park up and then cycle the rest - surreal moment one, we're going to a big gig by bike...

Cycling on the Thames path we come by the pier for the Dome - there are loads of fans awaiting Bon Jovi's arrival by boat. This is surreal moment two - we are passing by at just the right moment. We dismount, wait 5 minutes with various screaming people and slightly bemused tourists, and Bon Jovi walk past - all jeans and hair.

We queue for ages to pick up our tickets - despite ordering months in advance they haven't arrived in time for the concert and we're not the only ones. What is it with new venues and ticketing? I used to live 2 tube stops from Dome but have never been there - I now feel justified not coming before - there is nothing there as you wait for the concert - the few bars and restaurants are ridiculously over crowded.

Eventually we head in to the arena. After the 'special guests' the arena darkens and on the big screen is Jon Bon Jovi pictured backstage making his way to the arena. The crowd - or at least the females in it - scream. JBJ swaggers - there is no other word for it and I guess if you're as good looking and rich as him why not? He continues to make his way backstage as the steadicam follows him - for a moment I think of a scene from Spinal Tap - and then he appears. The band strike up and go for it.

Bon Jovi will never be hip and I'm not particularly a fan - though I know a few of their songs and some of their newer stuff has a definite nu-country ting and are more my thing. But give them huge credit, they know how to deliver a gig and they give their fans exactly what they want - it's basically a 2 hour singalong. It's good fun.

The O2? The location and wider bar/restaurant facilities are poor - but the actual arena venue is excellent. Well built, it has surprisingly good acoustics for a concert and though there are 20,000 in there, you have a comfortable seat, a good view and are close enough to the band to enjoy it. A welcome addition to London venues - even if it was surreal cycling away from a rock gig.