Two different bands, two different sets, two very different atmospheres...

On Friday night V and I, and a couple of our friends, went to see Bon Jovi at Twickenham Stadium.  As you'd hope, it was very much a greatest hits set, kicking off with Living on a Prayer, and containing almost everything from the Crossroads greatest hits album.

Bon Jovi photo by beckygarratt

I couldn't say I was a huge fan; I know the obvious hits, and since V is a fan I'm getting to know more of the album tracks, but I could sing along with at least the choruses on easily more than half the set, so I was quite happy!

Even though I far prefer Springsteen as an artist, I'd have to admit that I enjoyed Bon Jovi's show even more that I did Bruce's last month at the Emirates: the sound was better, the stage set better and more interesting, and the setlist itself was better (even though I think Magic is a better E-Street album than any he's done for many years, it all seems a bit Bruce-by-numbers to me - give me the early stuff any day!).

And then there was last night.

Lou Reed.

Performing Berlin, in its entirety, at the Royal Albert Hall.

Slated on its release, Berlin has proved to be Reed's masterpiece, and its live performance lived up to every expectation I had.  I had wondered if it would be as moving and harrowing live as it is on record, and the sense of release after the cathartic ending of Sad Song let me know that it had been...  the rest of the audience seemed to agree with me: the performance earned a standing ovation.

At first I thought the sound was a bit on the politely-quiet side, but when the full band played that certainly wasn't the case.  Behind the band was a simple set (with greenish walls!), onto which was projected images and films to complement the music - so I now know what Caroline looks like.

Reed was joined by a huge band that included a 12-piece choir, 8-piece orchestra, his current touring band, and some faces from the past: Michael Rathke and Steve Hunter on guitar, Rob Wasserman on upright bass, Fernando Saunders on a selection of bass, and Tony "Thunder" Smith on drums.  Steve Bernstien and Jane Scarpantoni provided keyboards and backing vocals.

Berlin took about an hour to perform, and after a short break the band came back for an encore of Satellite of Love, Rock and Roll, and his new song The Power of the Heart (which can be downloaded over here).

Got to get the DVD when it comes out!

Lou Reed photo by joshkritter