Richie says European audiences are way better than American audiences

Aloha !

I'm not trying to cause a stir here but it's been some time since the band admitted this. I reckon Jon's awareness to social media has a lot to do with it (what he says over there will end up on the other side of the world within minutes), but now that Richie's out promoting stuff on his own he's already said and done several things he'd never be "allowed" to do with Jon at the wheel.

The article says:

"Sambora kicked of his European tour in a sold out Melkweg in Amsterdam. "It's a great venue and it was packed", he says. "I don't want to deprive American audiences, but European audiences pay more attention. They really pay attention to the voices and art in general".

It's gotta suck to have tickets for an artist who doesn't think much of you in the first place though. But mostly I really wonder why he even bothers to tour there. The crowds in Amsterdam, Germany and most likely London as well, will without a doubt be miles better than those in New Yank City (see what I did there?) and the likes. So why even bother? I'm not saying American fans of Jovitalk don't deserve a show but from his point of view I really don't get it.

Source: Novum

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Nils Lofgren of The E Street Band made light of European V American crowds recently. He said American crowds always seem tired and only interested in the hits whereas The European audiences went crazy for the obscure stuff and knew the words to all the songs.

Simple: New York is a good place to have one of those fan club shows and we all know the $$$$. It's the same reason Bon Jovi still tours here. Easy cash and the demand is still there for the most part. Simple economics.

Richie's American shows have not sold as well as he thought they would and rightfully so. The problem is all these biddies who claim to be a fan of the band but won't pay to see a Richie solo show but will pay exorbitant amounts of money to see a Jon solo show...but they're fans of the band...bullshit.

Also, I don't understand why he did not do more shows in Europe since his gear is already there. Granted, he could probably play more of a world tour but I'm not sure it would be worth the cost and how much money Richie is willing to loose to be artistically fulfilled.

Richie's right.

richie could add 6 more European dates and I can guarantee they would sell out in presale again

True dat.

One measly London show is all he's giving The UK & Ireland. It doesn't make sense, especially as he's not doing much at the moment.

I'm sure glad he is doing American shows. I'm in California and can't afford to do Europe. So I'm going to the San Francisco show. Would have done LA too but I can't get off work.

I have never been to Europe but based on setlists and what everyone says here, I would have to agree with all of you that Europe is far superior in terms of crowds. The dream for me is to attend Europe shows. Maybe someday.

In fact, I had to drive to Vancouver last year to try to get a better setlist. The one thing I will say in defense of American fans is the amount of shows and the geographic distance of America. Last Jovi tour, they did over 70 shows in America. When you do that many shows over a large distance, the crowds get watered down. I would love to do all the American shows and represent for the American die hards (we do exist), I just can't make that many shows. I did 7 shows last tour and my girlfriend already thinks I'm crazy.

That said, it is disheartening to see how poorly the American Richie shows have sold. I'm worried they are going to cancel the San Francisco show. I say that without any knowledge of how that show is selling. I'm just assuming the sales are not great.

The fact that Richie has not sold out his New York show amazes me. When I see that, it just embarrasses me as an American fan. In America, are we just really nothing more than just a bunch middle age women who want to see Jon shake his butt?

It's also gotta suck to purchase tickets to see an artist who you personally don't think much of anymore in the first place, surely?

I believe you said you ''expected the amsterdam show to be this dreadful'' before too. As for crowd reaction, you're not exactly jumping, clapping and singing yourself at gigs are you? And yes, I have seen you several times.

But also yes, I agree that whilst the European crowds/shows are better, what's he going to do? Not play his own country? Of course not. It's just one of those things.


andi

That's what I appreciate about Richie is his honesty in his answers. As an American, I wouldn't take that to heart because I'm a musician who does like to listen, and pay attention to what's going on, when I watch a live show. Many fans who go to shows in the USA are more casual and just want to hear the hits. It will be interesting to hear how his shows go when he comes back here.

Aloha !

I partly agree with this. When looking at Europe it's a much smaller continent, yet more people come to see Bon Jovi in Germany on 1 tour than people come to see Bon Jovi in their home state. Remember that they always hit New Jersey twice per tour, while they only hit Germany once per tour. So as for watering down, I'm not so sure about that. An average Bon Jovi show in America has about 15.000-20.000 people, while an average Bon Jovi show in Europe has about 35.000-50.000.

Well that clearly was a much needed personal attack from you, very well done, you're starting to show your true colors here a bit I think. But it's good to see how people still consider seeing me of such a worthy moment to be posting about it.

But in regards to the content of your post; yes it did suck I'd bought tickets, and I'd regret it a few weeks before the show took place already. I've been quite vocal about that to my friends, so as for your "clever" dig, it's not really working now is it. And as for not clapping and singing along, where do you think these bootlegs come from? Or do you reckon everyone would be really pleased if I'd be singing in the mikes all the time? But yeah, when I consider a show dreadful I'm not one to go nuts on shit performances, I'm not an idiot.

Still bitter and personally offended about me saying it was a shit show when you had the time of your life? Take it to the topic where the discussion is held, but don't start spouting of random personal shit in other topics. There's a reason why I start seperate topics for my reviews, but for some people this seems to be something that's too hard to comprehend. It's remarkable how those people are the same people who start throwing shit at me for simply disagreeing with my opinion.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan