Detroit Rock City! My view

I was debating whether to put this in the review section, but there were some interesting happenings at the Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit) last night I'd like to share... :P

I was sooooo tired and felt ill all day yesterday before the concert. I don't know if its the crappy weather or what, but I wasn't going to let that spoil my evening. This was my 12th show and it started out with some glitches, but ended up being as electrifying as ever.

The setlist is very similar to Becky's review from Atlanta. The satellite dishes on stage were phenomenal. You have to see it to really understand the effect. They opened with Bounce then went into Bad Name, EXCEPT Jon had to stop it and re-start by counting out "1234." I don't know who screwed up, but Jon didn't look happy at that point. I think it was a mixture of the crowd noise and mic problems. THEN the viewing screens on the satellite dishes malfunctioned and they were shut off through the next couple songs. THEN at one point it sounded like a speaker blew! But all this didn't seem to phase the crowd at all. Thankfully, corrections were made and the dishes ended up working perfectly.

After they did Prayer, the crowd noise was ear piercing! Jon made some comment like "what is this, 1986?" By the looks of some of the crowd it could have been! The performance level of the band is beyond exceptional. The crowd was wild for 2 and a half hours.

I do think Jon's vocals are better this time around, but I don't know if that is because its earlier in the tour. I think this is the best vocal performance I have witnessed. Richie did a fine job as usual. Tico I think is the hardest worker! Dave's intro to Right side of wrong got quite the ovation. Hugh's bass playing sounded great.

I'm glad they played Runaway. Jon said "this song is so old, if I saw it in a bar I would buy it a beer!" I'll have to see if he says that in Chicago next week! I think Runaway was a personal favorite because I haven't heard it since 1995. The way the band jams at the end makes the song for me. The distance was another personal favorite and it goes into an acoustic ending with Jon and guitar. After the distance 2 girls ran out and grabbed Jon as the lights went dim. When the lights went back up security was still trying to pull the girls off!

At some points during the show I would just close my eyes to really take in the live sound. Its inspiring. My friend was looking at me weird, but I suggest you try it when you see them. You will get a different perspective. Their live "recordings" are nothing compared to it.

Jon's last words were "see you this summer at Comerica Park, Detroit!" The best words I could hear at the end of the show!

Overall I feel this was better than the Crush tour. For those of you going in the future.....ENJOY!