(Jon) Bon Jovi's money orientaded behaviour destroyed the fun?

I sincerly think their tone will change when they get to the stadiums in Europe. They are an American band so they have to tour America first, but the unfortunate thing is crowds in America are terrible. If you compare shows in the US vs. Europe, the shows are night and day. American crowds don't really get in to it. The fans aren't as dedicated (people go to see Livin' on a Prayer and that's about it) and they rarely move much. The crowds in Europe are ridiculous! Crazy and wild (as it should be). That's why these setlists have been the way they are - Jon sees what is working, and wouldn't change it because the crowd would be even less into it. For performers, why would you try harder? In Europe they'll try harder.

Yeah I agree 100% Seb. Bon Jovi have been resting on their laurels for years now and it is easy to lose your excitement when you're not happy with how they are performing, whether that be live or in the studio. I think Bon Jovi is just a hobby to Jon now. He's obviously heavily involved with his business dealings and he's gotta find time for his family as well. You could say he has earned that right after all these years hard work, but that doesn't make it right to use the band as a money making machine or promotional tool. He will still enjoying going on tour no doubt as it's a welcome break from everything that's going on back home, but there is also no doubt that some of the passion is gone. I get the feeling that the band is feeling the monotony of it all and that comes out in their performances. I wouldn't worry too much about it. You'll have a great time in the US and Canada. Those are two countries I'm dying to visit myself. Just think of the people you're going to meet and the good times you'll have and then you'll probably find yourself enjoying the gigs more than you think.

Could well be that were getting to used to seeingvthem as they have been touring every other year now for the last few years.
The o2 this time around will be a strange for me as it will be my first time attending a jovi concert without my wife since the keep the faith tour.
The reason for her missing this one is that she will be heavily pregnant and not able to fly so I'll just have to enjoy it for her and hope they do visit Dublin (preferably croke park )next year

every year you appear to feel the same way seb..... and then you see BJ and you are usually all in love with them again...

I dont think it helps that in the past few years we can now watch nearly every song they sing via u tube, so you know what to expect , what works and what doesnt, this does take away some of the excitement.... its like knowing whats in the present before you unwrap it...

Dawn

This is the first time I would disagree with you. I think that this was true from Bounce until now. Jon has pretty much given up acting and his football team is no more. The shows that I saw made me think that he is once more *into* the music more than he has been in the past.

Obviously I could be wrong - and I could be seeing what I want to see - but the passion that I saw at the Philadelphia shows has been been missing for quite a while. I came away from those shows very much impressed - and once more - in love with the music.

Probably won't be able to go to the O2 show I was planning on for an entirely different reason, but I doubt I'll hugely miss it. I'm sure I'd have a good time but I feel they've been pretty uninspired lately.

Doesn't feel like rock 'n' roll really. A massively structured setlist with no room for variation, a big stage show, note-perfect but phoned in performances...that's not what I call rock 'n' roll.

thats why i'm not looking. I've stopped looking at the set lists too because when i go i want to be surprised with what i hear. Also others that have been are saying Jovi are performing brilliantly this year. So i'm looking forward to going

A youtube video just isn't the same as a live concert. Just wait and see...

The reason why I haven't been on here much lately is because of the ads that keep popping up, especially Zwinky, crashing the browser and slowing my whole computer down.

I got my information only for how much I paid for my tickets; £80 for night 1, £60 for night 2. Nothing that I thought was exceptionally high. About the same as Gold Circle at a stadium show. I don't need to be right at the front. Been there, done that, and because they auction off front row most of the time these days it's just bollocks anyway.

I dunno' about the growing up part. I'll be 33 in June, and the two things that always get me excited in life are Bon Jovi and going on holiday and Seb, you're getting to combine the two. But even I don't get excited about either until I'm on my way to the airport or on my way to the show. That's when it starts to kick in.

Really be interesting to see how your shows go and what you think afterwards. I know you'll be honest if they kick your ass.

WEll I guess that you're a lot more in the know about the current live performances than I am Kathleen having just seen them. All I've seen in the past year or so are bootlegs and youtube clips so I've not experienced them in the flesh in a big stadium with an amazing atmosphere. I hope you're right. I just think that Bon Jovi spend too much time on autopilot these days.