Bon Jovi thrilled fans with an epic three hour performance at Hard Rock Calling festival in London last night (25.06.11).

The New Jersey rockers – who have revealed plans to go on hiatus after their tour ends in Portugal in July – were the top bill on a line-up including Vintage Trouble, Lissie, Black Cards and Ray Davies with frontman Jon Bon Jovi promising “we’re not leaving here until the cops force us out”.

The group kicked off their set in front of a crowd of 65,000 with ‘Raise Your Hands’ and quickly followed up with classic ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, ‘Born To Be My Baby’ and ‘We Weren’t Born To Follow’.

‘It’s My Life’ got the entire crowd on their feet while ‘Blade Of Glory’ and ‘Lay Your Hands On Me’ gave Richie Sambora the chance to show off his skills.

After asking “Is there a doctor in the house?” the band launched into ‘Bad Medicine’ featuring a surprising cover of ‘Pretty Woman’ which inspired a mass singalong. Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ was another welcome surprise before the group got back to business with classics including ‘I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead’ and ‘Keep The Faith’.

Three encores ensured hits like ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ and ‘Always’ weren’t forgotten with the rockers leaving the stage for the last time after ‘I Love This Town’.

Rod Stewart will close Hard Rock Calling tonight (26.05.11).

Bon Jovi played Hard Rock Calling as part of American Express’ Preferred Seating programme. For more information visit amex.co.uk/access

Bon Jovi Hard Rock Calling setlist

‘Raise Your Hands’

‘You Give Love a Bad Name’

‘Born to Be My Baby’

‘We Weren’t Born to Follow’

‘Lost Highway’

‘It’s My Life’

‘In These Arms’

‘Blaze of Glory’

‘Lay Your Hands on Me’

‘Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars’

‘Bad Medicine’ / ‘Pretty Woman’

‘Hallelujah’ (Leonard Cohen cover)

‘When We Were Beautiful’

‘I’ll Be There For You’

‘Who Says You Can’t Go Home’

‘I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead’

‘Hey God’

‘Have a Nice Day’

‘Keep the Faith’

Encore:

‘Dry County’

‘Wanted Dead or Alive’

‘Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night’

‘Livin’ on a Prayer’

Encore 2:

‘Always’

‘These Days’

‘Blood on Blood’

Encore 3:

‘I Love This Town’