Bon Jovi touch down in Abu Dhabi

It’s official – Bon Jovi are in the capital. Promoters Flash have shared a picture of the trio arriving at the Marhaba lounge at Abu Dhabi’s Bateen Airport, on Tuesday evening (September 29).

Let’s hope they have time to soak up a few sights before taking to the Du Arena stage on Thursday October 1, for their first UAE gig in seven years.

Earlier, Jon Bon Jovi shared a video message to fans as he prepared to board his flight from Taiwan, promising “we’e going to rock.”

In the 29-second filmed message to his fans in Abu Dhabi, Bon Jovi, sitting casually on the floor, claims to be moments away from boarding his flight to the UAE. “Abu Dhabi, you think it’s hot now?” he begins. “Well guess what – we’re in the air on the way to you. “The gear is on the way, the crew is on the planes, and I’m about to board.”

Notorious for his blow-dried blond mullet, the 53-year-old rocker appears to have preempted fate – and died his hair grey. On maybe it’s just the light in the cubby hole he’s filming from.

“Bon Jovi live, in person, we’re ready ready to rock,” he continues, “we’re looking forward to coming back to Abu Dhabi.”

The band performed at Emirates Palace in 2008, and return on October 1 to perform at Du Arena.

The 12-city Asian tour has’t passed without problems, with last night’s (September 28) Taiwan show cancelled due to a typhoon, while two earlier gigs in China were cancelled for censorship reasons.

The tour was supported by the release of 12th album Burning Bridges, the first not to feature long-term guitarist Richie Sambora, who parted ways with the band in 2013.

Tickets, from Dh395, are on sale now from www.ticketmaster.ae