Wrong Jovi: Award winning tribute band comes to The Civic
As I had always been a huge Bon Jovi fan, it seemed like a good idea to start up a Bon Jovi tribute band to get the wheels in motion to start hitting the stage again,” according to Mark Harding, who takes on the role of Richie Sambora as part of the latest act to grace the Civic stage, reports Ryan Butler.
The multi-award-winning Wrong Jovi are widely considered to be the “best Bon Jovi tribute band in the world.”
So much so that the band has received personal gratitude from Richie Sambora, the former guitarist of Bon Jovi, for their tireless efforts and outstanding performances.
This came about from an interview Mark did with him several years ago when he was working for an online guitar magazine, to which Mark commented, “It really is incredible to have such lovely things said to you by that very person who inspired you to play guitar in the first place.”
When asked if there are any particular Bon Jovi songs that the band likes performing, Mark stated that he “loves” performing ‘Dry County’ as a guitarist, ‘It’s My Life’ and ‘Livin On A Prayer’ for the audience’s reactions, and rarer tracks such as ‘Something For The Pain’ and ‘Wild Is The Wind’.
The band has been on the road for nine years, playing all over the world and making appearances on the BBC prime-time television programme ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing.’
Wrong Jovi, who had previously received the ‘Best Tribute Artist Award’ at the Northern Entertainment Awards, was named the 2022 National Entertainment Awards’ ‘Best Tribute Artist’ winner.
The band began their 10th anniversary tour this year in the UK, in addition to taking their act to Europe and other countries; of it, Mark remarked that “No matter where we are, we will always give our best and love to see our audience leaving happy and singing the songs from the show.”
A Wrong Jovi show is a fitting homage to one of New Jersey’s famous stadium rock bands, thanks to the inclusion of hit singles like ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’, ‘Always’, ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, and ‘Wanted Dead Or Alive’ alongside live favourites and rarities like ‘Blood On Blood’, ‘Dry County’, ‘Wild Is The Wind’, and
‘This Ain’t A Love Song’!
In addition to playing sold-out gigs in theatres and music venues all across the UK, Wrong Jovi has headlined festivals in Malta, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and in the UK, where they have a headline spot on the Electro Love stage at the esteemed Isle of Wight Festival in 2019 and 2022.
With a repertoire that includes the biggest hits, live favourites, and rarities, the band caters to both casual fans and ardent Bon Jovi devotees.
For their help with helping the band get to this point, Mark would like to thank the current line-up of the band: Ally Ward (vocals), Jon Paul (keyboards), James Houghton (bass) and Alex Sturgeon (drums), as well as former members Simon, Juan, G, and Rhy.
He also extends his gratitude to his father and the band’s roadie, Roadie Rob, Lisa, who is in charge of costumes and merchandise as well as driving the band around the UK, and last but not least, the band’s followers, whether they’re “new or old.”.
Wrong Jovi will be coming to perform at the Civic on March 28; booking available now!
