Afterthoughts on the tour

I agree with what you've said and I did attend 7 shows out of the 29. The biggest factor for me is just what you mentioned that Jon and all of the band appear to genuinely want to be on stage and the passion to play live is still there!

I was at that Orange seat Knoxville show too! My first Bon Jovi shows were both in Knoxville, first the New jersey tour, then KTF. I live in northeast TN, so these days the closest shows for me are Greenville, SC or Charlotte.

Considering that 2015 wasn't a real tour, this tour was the worst ever by this band. Identical sets, terrible vocals by Jon. At least he and the band tried hard in order to make the shows enjoyable. But it's clear that the WOW factor is gone. Up until 2011 I'd say they were the best live band out there, now they are just a good live act and that's it.

Really? Where were you? My friends and I had 2nd row and it was amazing to be that close. At the end of the show I got Tico's attention and he tried to hand me his drum stick but some Neanderthal grabbed it from me. I was heartbroken. Tico looked pissed too because he meant it for me, not Big Meanie. Do you remember when Jon went out in the audience and came back with his shirt ripped off? I'm surprised he got back unscathed.

Becky, I was in the lower section sidestage, but several rows up, maybe row 20 or so. What a bummer u didn't get the drumstick. Yes, I couldn't believe Jon jumped in the audience and survived. I wonder if that was something he did on most shows that tour? Hard to know since we didn't have the internet then. That was 1993? I would have been 19 then.

As for my thoughts on the tour, I really enjoyed my 2 shows. I saw Greenville and Vegas, so I feel lucky to have heard Always and I got the girl this tour. Jon seemed to really enjoy himself and to be less serious than he can sometimes be. Sure, it isn't like the 80's, but I don't expect that. More set list changes would be an improvement, but I don't get as worked up about that as some.

Either you are saying that his voice hasn't changed since 2011, or you are saying that it did change, but he managed to get it back to that level.

Which both is not the case BTW...

Static setlist aside, I think the passion was the big difference between this tour and the Asia tour. They, as a band, seemed to enjoy this tour. I'm not saying they didn't enjoy the Asia tour but it really shone through in 2017 IMO.

I saw both the 2017 tour (Chicago, 4th row in front of Jon) and the 2015 Asia tour (Singapore front row in front of Phil, KL 3rd row between Jon and Matt, Bangkok 5th row between Jon and Matt)

The biggest difference was that they felt like more of a band in Chicago. Everyone seemed like they belonged, Phil really came into his own. Jon seemed more relaxed and confident. They weren't really promoting anything in Asia (WDR?), it didn't seem as passionate.

I did enjoy the Singapore Formula 1 concert the most as Jon was moving around a lot compared to the other shows on both tours.

Comparing the 2 indoor arena shows, Chicago and Bangkok - Chicago was much much better. The band felt confident and settled as did Jon. There was a lot more interaction between Jon and the guitarists. The stage was nicer and they just felt more hungry, the energy was better.
Bangkok also had the Who Says, Lost Highway and WLOL start to the setlist at the time I was thinking 'WTF? In Bangkok?'

I didn´t attend to a gig yet, lookin foward to the south american dates.

But according YT and soundboard recordings, here is my pros and cons:

(-)
- Of course, Jon´s voice.
- I know there is a huge catalog. I know he prefers to do post-2000 songs. But why Bounce is skipped? And The Circle? On these album are some great tunes that would fit to the actual sound.
- No accoustic section. It worked very well in past tours.
- The percussion man. I know he´s important for the backing vocals thing, but I guess he mess with Tico´s work.
- Born again tomorrow, the song with the classic BJ style, was skipped.
- The amateur mistake with the backing track in THINFS. Come on, one of the biggest band in the world and made that huge mistake?? It wasn´t 2 seconds long, it was all across the song!!

(+)
- The band sounded great. They were solid, seems happy, there was chemistry between the new and old guys
- Phil X seems like is not a replacement anymore, is a band member, he own the songs and dig some great solos like KTF and Always. And he´s tune is more "BonJovier" , if you compare it to the BWC tour.
- I hate Shanks as a producer, but on stage I think he works way better than Bandiera. You hear Bad Name with JS and then with BB and you will be agree with me.
- They love their new album. Jon talks about the songs background every time. In the past tour, they started playin 5/6 track of the new album, but as the shows goes by, the only drop 1 or 2. In this time, they really support the new songs and I think their worked live and made the set list every night.
- Tico Torres: he still kick ass. The older man but what an energy, what a bit. 0 mistakes. Respect
- The intro, not better that the one of The Circle tour, but still great, with great video and dramatic music. Well done.

The bands play for the audience at the venue, not for the people on YT or forums. So, if they repeat the same set list every night, that ok with me (the Rolling Stones do that!) I´ll be pissed off only if I attend several show, or a few in a row.

There is no Richie. Jon´s voice is shot. But still they put some great and enjoyable rock shows. Waiting for September to see them here in Buenos Aires.

He did do Working Man and Born to Follow but I know what you mean... Superman / LTOR / WWWB etc