My Review of Saturday's Show

I hate to say it, but I don't remember as much about Saturday's show. I woke up Saturday with a fever and felt really bad all day and all night. I didn't enjoy the show as much Saturday as Friday and I think it's more a reflection on me than the show itself.

They played all the same songs, but the set list order was different. Love for Sale was first, followed by Bad Name. It was not as exciting as Friday's version. They also did a scheduled "Room Full of Blues" which was even better than the spontaneous verison the night before.

The music was very similar to the night before, no major changes, so I have nothing to add about the sounds of the songs.

I was disappoineted that people stood for Saturday's show. I think the atmosphere really lent itself to sitting. And, I didn't feel like standing either, so I hd to sit down at times. That was bad. I was sitting at a Bon Jovi show that I had paid a high ticket price and flown to Jersey to see.

Jon introduced the band at different times between songs. First were Dave and Jeff and he said it was all about the keyboard players tonight and stopped the intros after that. It was surprising and cute to have them stopped after just two members. Later he introduced Hugh (or Huge) and Bobby. The audience was chanting "Hugh" and Jon got a kick out of that. A few songs later he introduced Everitt as the man with all the personality and handsome too and Tico as the king of Cuba if I remember correctly. He introduced Richie before IBTFY as his right hand and best friend and our friend.

Before The Last Man Standing, Jon talked about the sorry state of the music industry and how he was protective of the song because he felt it showed a little too much of his bitterness twoard what the industry has become. He said it would be impossible for a kid like he was to go to a radio station and talk to a DJ because now there are computer programed songs and conglomerate networks instead of real people playing music. This time I understood the lyric to be like, "Keep your super rock hip hop hot pop J-Lo junk digital downlaods." I don't think he mentioned J-Lo on Friday. One thing I like about the song is the line, "Patrick hit the lights" which pays homage to their own light guy Pat who's been with them forever. I'd love to see the band perform this to a crowd of today's hot acts. It's just scathing enough to make a point without being tasteless. I think it would make an impression. He dedicated it to Bruce, Elton, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and the band.

He introduced the Thief of Hearts as a song he wrote from a bit of a vouyerist perspective. It's a great song with a great sound. Before they opened the doors, we could hear the guys rehearsing it.

Jon started talking about writing a song for a movie and the audience went wild, expecting Blaze of Glory. He said, "No, not that movie. Another movie" and told us about Romeo is Bleeding and how the lyric was really about this psychotic stalker, but it was nice that so many people and found the song and appreciated the romantic lyric. He also said that it was their biggest selling single. He was amused that something that was really twisted was percieved as romantic.

He mentioned that Elton was playing down the street and he wished he could go to the show. I saw Michael Trigg, I think, in the audience. I hope I got the name right. But I saw the big guy that's got something to do with Jon's team at one of the tables. Someone else mentioned seeing Richie's dad and Tico's wife.

They wore the same clothes as the night before. There were no retakes tonight. Everything ran like a well-oiled machine. The light show was better and Tony got a clue and showed the band on the screens much more. Friday, it was primarily artistic photos that barely fit the songs. Note to Tony: we want to see your brother and the band, not an old shot of the Brooklyn Bridge or Martin Luther King, the Fab Four, a big sign that says ollywoo, or some kid with bug eyes. Art is nice, but giving people a better view of the concert is more appreciated.

It was another very special evening. I just wish I'd felt better and could have enjoyed it fully.

Becky

What was the complete setlist?

Aloha !

Ahum Jon.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

I never knew this. So Always is not supposed to be romantic. It's about a psycho stalker? Interesting!

Cheryl took down the complete set list in order, but I haven't copied it from her. I'll ask her to send them to me so I can post them. I can only tell you what songs they played, but not the order.

Becky

It's too bad that you weren't feeling well for Saturday's show But thanks for the review!

Stephanie

Another awesome review but sooo sorry that you weren't feeling well! Also, I did not know that story about "Always" - wow! Now I'll be thinking about that when I listen to it.

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
LIVIN' ON A PRAYER
BAD MEDICINE
SYLVIA'S MOTHER
LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME
SOMEDAY I'LL BE SATURDAY NIGHT
LAST MAN STANDING
YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME
BED OF ROSES
EVERYDAY
MISUNDERSTOOD
BORN TO BE MY BABY
KEEP THE FAITH
JOEY
LOVE FOR SALE
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU
ALWAYS
THIEF OF HEARTS
BLOOD ON BLOOD

On SATURDAY night, the crowd was up on their feet the whole show and witness the following set list:

LOVE FOR SALE
YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
LIVIN' ON A PRAYER
IT'S MY LIFE
MISUNDERSTOOD
LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME
SOMEDAY I'LL BE SATURDAY NIGHT
SYLVIA'S MOTHER
EVERYDAY
BAD MEDICINE
BED OF ROSES
BORN TO BE MY BABY
KEEP THE FAITH
JOEY
THIEF OF HEARTS
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU
ALWAYS
BLOOD ON BLOOD

Thanks for the review.. its always great for us desperate and joviless to hear about the gigs!!!

I knew Always was originally written for that movie but did not realise it was about a psychotic stalker LOl.. gotta love that!!!


Kat