A Tribute to Bon Jovi
at the Kyrenia Amphitheatre
By Ralph Kratzer
After the resounding success of the open air Deep Purple concert, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Near East University (NEU) in Nicosia in May (to remember – click here!), I did not want to miss another highlight of this year.
So I bought tickets for Bon Giovi, according to the All Stars Agency the World’s premier tribute to Bon Jovi and the New Jersey Rockers.
The concert was mainly supported by Martina Cole, owner of the Bestseller Bookstores in Alsancak and Karakum and sponsored as well by the Almond Holiday Village, North Cove Estates, Hetim Travel, Café George and Quick Line Cosmetics in support of the charities The Blind Association and Help Those with Cancer Association (Tulips).
What a great idea to both bring entertainment to the audience in Northern Cyprus and to also help sick people!
The friendly lady at the Bestseller Bookstore offered concert tickets as well as free tickets for the aftershow party, including bus transfer from Kyrenia to Lapta, which I of course gladly accepted.
The event in the beautiful amphitheatre, which was built a few years ago directly on the coast line of Kyrenia, began on time at 8pm with the first opening act, The Renegades. This band, consisting of three boys and a girl with an average age of 15(!) years, delivered a great show. This was followed by a fabulous drum solo on two drums (or should I say a drum duet?), performed by the young bandleader of The Renegades and the island-wide well-known musician and entertainer Barry Snakes.
Barry is not only mentor of the young band The Renegades but also leader of the band Snakebite, which occurred as the second opening act.
At a late hour finally came the attraction of the evening, Bon Giovi with his musicians, onto the stage.
The mood among the audience was frisky, many could not be held back on their seats and they danced right in front of the stage.
But unfortunately many viewers left during Bon Giovi’s brilliant show, as the evening was just too long for them.
This is the only point of criticism on this outstanding event. The two opening acts were great, but they played a total of 2 hours. 1 hour would have been enough …
The aftershow party at the Almond Holiday Village, following the concert, was for my girlfriend and I a delightful way to end a long night.
Thanks to the sponsors of the event and to the main organizers Ahmet Asik of the All Stars Agency Promotions, who brought over Bon Giovi, and organised the event with the invaluable help of Michelle Gray!
A good article except for critic of time. The event ran late due to technical problems early on and before Bon Giovi went on stage, otherwise the evening would have ended around midnight instead of after 00.30. These things always happen at rock concerts so no surprise for us.
We thought the Renegades were superb and deserved they allotted time, I believe the group will have gained massive experience from their performance. One thing certain they did not sound like a group of teenagers, Scarlett the bass player is apparently only 14 years but her demeanour on stage was very mature.
The drum duet between Barry Snakes and James Gray was quite awesome.
Snakebite were different again in their material and to cut down their set would have spolit the evening. I thought Pink Floyds – Money was outstanding.
Onto the star event. My wife could not even think of any BJ songs so she was very surprised and excited with their set. She also expected to wear ear plugs for the evening but found the sound perfect without.
Not to be forgotten, Pete Murray for holding the whole evening together, thank goodness he did not sing!!!!!!!!
A superb evening all around. The light show was brilliant, the sound turned out perfect to my ears. The music awesome played in a fantastic arena just a shame more people did not come to appreciate it all.
Thank you to all involved and when is the next one please?
Thank you for this comment, David! I am 100% with you that it was an outstanding event. Sorry for my opinion about the time. I myself had no problem with it and of course was on site until the end of the concert. Unfortunately other visitors left the event before the end, what was not fair but must have had a reason, and this reason was oviously not Bon Giovi! He was great!
Ralph, I have read elsewhere that some people only went to support the local groups. I know there were some people near, who did not leave, who obviously knew The Renegades and were very noisy, in a good way, supporting them.
The main thing is that the vast majority of people enjoyed the evening plus a lot of cash was raised for two worthy causes. Cannot wait for next event.
Of course the people enjoyed the event, as I did, no question about this! And raising money for charity as well is reason enough to rehearse an event like this!