Bon Jovi get serious on next album

Up to 11: Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi’s upcoming album What About Now cover serious subjects about the modern world, says frontman Jon.

He describes the work as “a big rock record” but adds that it includes “a lot of social commentary” including the global economic crisis and unemployment.

“It’s a moment in time,” he explains. “That moments in time almost forced the record to come out – otherwise the time will pass and the subject matter becomes dated.

“There’s a little more telling tales with some of the songs. Just because companies are going out of business doesn’t mean people aren’t able-bodied parts of the workforce.”

Bon Jovi says the current crisis facing the music industry doesn’t worry him, and he looks at the situation as an opportunity to do things the way he did when the band started out. “You write a song for you. If people love it, they’ll find it,” he states. “Then what happens is out of our control – but it’s not frustrating.”

The band have been revealed as the first headliner in a new two-week festival in London’s Hyde Park. British Summer Time will include four main shows led by big names, but the event will operate with smaller events throughout the period June 28 until July 7. Bon Jovi appear on July 5.

Festival operators AEG say there will be no problems with low volume or cut-short sets, both of which were experienced by previous licence-holders Live Nation. That firm has cut a deal to hold events including Hard Rock Calling, formerly run in Hyde Park, at the Olympic Park.

Referring to last year’s Hard Rock Calling, at which the PA was cut off during Bruce Springsteen’s Beatles jam with Paul McCartney, Bon Jovi says: “We know Twist And Shout, and we’ll make sure we play as loud as 11. We’ll turn it right up and let them deal with that. Hopefully the authorities know the words so they can sing along – instead of carting me off to jail.”

What About Now is released in March.