European dates added to Bon Jovi tour

Bon Jovi has added a string of dates in Europe as part of next year's Because We Can Tour, including headlining the Slane Castle Concert in June.

Here's Jon in Slane:


The latest shows to be announced are:

• May 14, 2013 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Levski Stadium
• May 21, 2013 - Oslo, Norway - Valle Hovin
• May 22, 2013 - Bergen, Norway - Koengen
• May 24, 2013 - Stockholm, Sweden - Olympic Stadium
• May 26, 2013 - Tampere, Finland - Ratina Stadium
• June 6, 2013 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Parken Stadium
• June 8, 2013 - Manchester, United Kingdom - Etihad Stadium
• June 9, 2013 - Birmingham, United Kingdom - Villa Park
• June 12, 2013 - Cardiff, United Kingdom - City Stadium
• June 13, 2013 - Sunderland, United Kingdom - Stadium of Light
• June 15, 2013 - Dublin, Ireland - Slane Castle
• June 30, 2013 - Berne, Switzerland - Stadt de Suisse
• July 3, 2013 - Glasgow, United Kingdom - Hampden Park

I didn't realise there was an Etihad Stadium in Manchester until I looked at these dates (There is one in Melbourne, Australia)... It's not that bizarre; obviously Etihad Airways sponsors both venues but it's funny what random things you learn through Bon Jovi. ;)

Anyway, the dates above join previously announced shows in Canada and South Africa.

Will you be heading to any shows in Europe?

Bon Jovi to tour South Africa

Bon Jovi's Because We Can Tour is hitting South Africa in May 2013! Here are the new dates:

• May 7, 2013 - Cape Town, South Africa - Cape Town Stadium
• May 11, 2013 - Johannesburg, South Africa - FNB Stadium

Any South African fans stumbling across this blog?

Canadian shows were announced a few days ago and the media release promises to tour "Europe, the Far East, Africa, Latin America and Australia"...

Where would you love to see Bon Jovi play? (Both realistic and fantasy answers welcome).

David Bryan & Elaine Kwon on Better

Bon Jovi's king of the keys David Bryan and classical pianist Elaine Kwon performing on lifestyle show Better.

Just stumbled across this video and thought I'd through the Lemma fans a bone. ;)

Bon Jovi - Because We Can Tour 2013!

It's officially official! Bon Jovi is hitting the road again in early 2013:

Announcing Bon Jovi: Because We Can - The Tour

The best just got bigger. Bringing their signature brand of rock ‘n’ roll back to the people, Bon Jovi will hit the road in 2013 to fill stadiums and arenas worldwide with Bon Jovi Because We Can – The Tour.

Blazing a trail across the globe, the tour will kick off in North America in February, just in time for Valentine’s Day, and travel throughout Europe, the Far East, Africa, Latin America and Australia. The band’s return to the road in 2013 will cap an incredible run which has secured Bon Jovi’s status as the essential live rock band – having performed more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 35 million fans, and earning the #1 grossing worldwide tour twice in just three years.

Because We Can – The Tour will also debut brand new songs from new album What About Now, due out in Spring 2013, loading even more ammunition into the band’s huge arsenal of hits including “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” “It’s My Life,” and many more.

I'm not sure if "Because We Can" is a nod to President Obama (which is perfectly fine for me but might anger roughly half their American fan base), a middle finger to the band's critics or something else entirely.

But I note with interest mention of "the Far East, Africa, Latin America" -- Looks like there could be some very exciting news for some of Bon Jovi's most tour-starved fans next year?

Here are the first announced dates (all Canada so far):

• February 13, 2013 - Montreal, Quebec, Canada - Bell Centre
• February 17, 2013 - Toronto, ON, Canada - Air Canada Centre
• February 20, 2013 - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Scotiabank Place
• April 2, 2013 - Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Scotiabank Saddledome
• April 3, 2013 - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - Rexall Place
• April 5, 2013 - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - MTS Centre

What are you hoping for on this tour?

Bon Jovi Inside Out, album and tour

Another Bon Jovi movie hitting screens, hopefully near you:

NR,1hr 50min
Genre:
Musical
Releases:
November 27, 2012
Distributor:
NCM/Fathom

synopsis:
BON JOVI Inside Out includes the iconic band's best performances from their sold-out 12-night stand in London's O2 Arena, the inaugural multi-night run at New Meadowlands Stadium and their celebratory shows at the famed Madison Square Garden. Split-screen footage will provide a unique view of the quintessential rock n' roll band performing this dream set list from multiple angles. In addition, this not-to-be-missed event will feature band members Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres in a LIVE broadcast from Times Square, in which they will answer fan questions and discuss their upcoming 2013 Tour and highly anticipated new studio album What About Now, to be released this spring.

Matt Bongiovi gave out a little more about the release, as well as the upcoming album and tour via Twitter:

“@sinahibongiovi: @matthewbongiovi the movie is gonna be about what?” Live show cuts from arenas to stadiums during same song hence the name

— Matthew Bongiovi (@MatthewBongiovi) October 20, 2012

“@lizcontreras90: @matthewbongiovi it´s going to be out worldwide or ?” Or the most part yes

— Matthew Bongiovi (@MatthewBongiovi) October 20, 2012

“@xdregina: @matthewbongiovi is it actually called what about now?” Not official. They are playing with ideas.

— Matthew Bongiovi (@MatthewBongiovi) October 20, 2012

I know I have a conference all tomorrow afternoon about it so I would expect late day. Not all dates will be announced just a few

— Matthew Bongiovi (@MatthewBongiovi) October 22, 2012

Benji vs Sam James (The Voice): You Give Love a Bad Name

Two of Adam Levine's contestants from the US version of The Voice going head to head in a screaming performance of You Give Love a Bad Name:



To be honest, I have trouble getting into the battle rounds whenever I've watched The Voice... It feels like the format forces the two singers to overcompensate in an attempt to outdo each other. Sometimes it has its moments though.

What did you think of Benji and Sam in the video?

Richie Sambora October shows cancelled

Richie Sambora has cancelled his remaining October concerts (New York City, Philadelphia and Toronto) due to laryngitis. The following statement was posted on his website:

NYC, Philly, and Toronto Shows Cancelled
October 17, 2012

At doctor’s orders, Richie’s shows in New York City, Philadelphia and Toronto over the next week are currently cancelled. All tickets can be refunded at point of purchase.

Richie unfortunately had to cancel these performances due to direction from his doctors that he go on full vocal rest, as he is suffering from a case of laryngitis following a couple months of promotion for his recently released solo album Aftermath of the Lowdown, which included a run of sold-out shows in Europe. He is incredibly disappointed to not be able to perform for his fans this month.

“I was really looking forward to getting out there and playing my new record for people.” Sambora said. “Unfortunately, things come up in life that you cannot control. I hope my fans will understand. I’ll definitely make it up to them and look forward to seeing them soon.”

Keep checking back in for updates on rescheduled shows.

Not sure at this stage whether or not the shows in California in November will go ahead.

It was a peculiar morning for me... I'd had an inexplicably sleepless night before getting up an hour earlier than I needed to with a sudden urge to check my social networks... which is when I found out about this.

Hope Richie gets well soon (I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming he is sick; however, there has been speculation that poor ticket sales are the real reason and that the Sambora camp is trying to save face). I'm pretty bummed for his fans too, many of whom were travelling to these gigs. There have been reports that the shows will be rescheduled for early 2013, but with a new Bon Jovi album and tour due then, I have my doubts. Even Bon Jovi had to cancel their Perth show in 1995 and didn't make it back again until 2008. But... fingers crossed.