Bon Jovi possibly using Convocation Center to rehearse for upcoming tour

By MICHAEL VAN DER HARST

It would seem to some in the DeKalb community that rock band Bon Jovi will be using NIU’s Convocation Center to rehearse for their upcoming tour, which opens Feb. 18 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.

Equipment trucks were seen outside of the Convo on Monday, which added to speculation around campus.

Totes were also spotted inside the Convo, which had labels that said “Bon Jovi” on them.

Sycamore-based Upstaging, Inc. is providing trucking services for Bon Jovi’s stay in DeKalb and for their upcoming worldwide tour, according to an employee who was reached by phone at the Sycamore location Wednesday.

Upstaging also provides trucking and lighting services for other major acts such as Foo Fighters, Spice Girls, Linkin Park and The Police, the employee said.

The equipment had labels that indicate the boxes were sent from Australia, where Bon Jovi played a show on Jan. 25.

Convocation Center staff were not available to comment on the situation.

There are no plans at this time for Bon Jovi to play a concert in DeKalb.

The band will be in Chicago on Feb. 23, 24 and 26 at the United Center with Daughtry opening the show.