BON Jovi rocked at the opening of The O2. The band were the first to play in the 20,000-seater stadium of the newly-transformed millennium dome and they did not disappoint.

Hit single Livin' On a Prayer kicked proceedings off followed by You Give Love a Bad Name.

Jon Bon Jovi was given a rapturous reception by the sell-out crowd which marked the band's only appearance of this year.

Looking to be really enjoying himself, Jon strutted and wiggled his way through the nearing on two-hour set, several times handing the mic to the crowd to join in.

The hits were belted out without the aid of any real fanfare (the only backdrop was a screen behind showing landscapes and images) but this didn't seem to matter to the crowd, judging by the screams.

And Jon himself was clearly impressed to be christening the new auditorium. Getting the crowd going by yelling at the start of the set: "Who the hell needs Wembley Stadium?"

And he later carried on his approval with the words: "The O2 is a really good sound".

The crowd seemed to agree, lapping up the classic hits which were interspersed with songs from the band's latest album, Lost Highway, which sees the band take on a more country sound.

Add to the mix a violinist and a cover of Shout and you had a rocking set.

During one of two encores, Jon even performed an unexpected but moving cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, a great way to prove there is much more to Bon Jovi than stadium anthems.

And there was only going to be one song to finish on: Wanted Dead or Alive.

Singing and screaming along with my fellow fans my only disappointment was the lack of my favourite Bon Jovi song, Always.

But I loved the new The O2 and I am dying to come back and have a proper look around.

Judging by the reception from Sunday's crowd, The O2 looks to give Wembley a run for its money.

For more information about up and coming events, visit the02.co.uk