Official April 25, 2013, HP Pavilion, San Jose thread

The Rock · #**191** 04-27-2013, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost on a Highway

I've been a fan of the band since 1995. Have been visiting this board since 2000 but rarely post here; although I regularly read the threads that interest me.

Richie Sambora is my favourite band member. I have seen the band five times in the last 12 years, always in Europe. San Jose was my first ever U.S. Bon Jovi show. After finding out about Richie's absence, the only reason I went was because I had bought the ticket during pre-sale and wanted to hear songs from the new album live. But I tried to approach the show with an open mind. So whatever I express here is just my opinion, like everyone else's on this site. No matter what people write here, everyone is essentially a fan at heart.

The arena was packed all over, a good mix of both genders and all ages. The opening song, although my favourite from the new album, left me underwhelmed. The only saving grace was Jon Bon Jovi himself. Bad Name was a huge letdown; definitely the worst performance of it I have ever seen. The sound mix was bad. Guitars were buried in the mix and lacked any punch. But shortly afterwards, it became loud and clear. And I do mean loud!!! From then onwards, seemed like everything changed.

Many people here think Lisbon 2011 was a very good show. I was there too. I felt yesterday's show was better than Lisbon 2011 and places 4th among the 6 shows I have attended so far. Jon was the MVP of frontmen last night. Watching Tico hitting away with reckless abandon was a revelation. Phil X was very competent and clearly excited to be there, but that "special something" was missing. Without Richie, I was surprised how good the show turned out to be. Still, I do not agree with those who say Phil X brings energy or freshness to this band. He is not in that position. Even the extended jam during Faith was by the numbers, showing he was sticking to what Richie had been doing this tour. And I don't intend to discredit him. It is clear he is only playing his role and knows the boundaries he has to work with and inside.

Crowd was good too. Very loud and involved throughout. When people are standing up, singing and dancing from front row to all the way back in the bleachers, in the aisles and the suites, you know they are witnessing a good show and getting their money's worth. It wasn't the crowd Americans are usually labeled as on this board.

For the conspiracy theorists, I am surprised nobody has mentioned (I may have missed it here) how Richie's silhouette is shown for what seems like a good minute during "What About Now". Dave and Tico didn't get this treatment. Richie was present everywhere in the promo material as well.

Last night I saw how hard this band works, how hard Jon works and feels proud of the post-2000 output. After the first few songs, I just tried to immerse myself in the performance and pay close attention. From that point onwards, I enjoyed every single moment, except We Weren't Born to Follow.

I have no idea how arrogant, selfish, out of touch or dictatorial Jon is. I have no idea what kind of person he is. All I know is that the man I saw fronting the band last night, was an extremely talented, charismatic, honest and hard worker. A man who seemed proud of what he and his band had to display. A man who was doing what he was doing not for validation, but for love. I am glad I went to the show because I felt proud to be a Bon Jovi fan afterwards.

I look forward to see the band next time with Richie. I hope it is soon enough.

Thank you for the review, enjoyed it. As said, I too like the second to last paragraph regarding Jon. At the end of the day, that is all we ever need of him. How he is on that stage.

angelsambo · #**192** 04-28-2013, 12:43 AM

http://rocksubculture.com/2013/04/26...oncert-review/

Kathleen · #**193** 04-28-2013, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelsambo

http://rocksubculture.com/2013/04/26...oncert-review/

Wow - somebody that really disliked the show. Though he does make a few good points.

jovigirloz · #**194** 04-28-2013, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Wow - somebody that really disliked the show. Though he does make a few good points.

I thought it was quite a good review. He was honest to say he wasn't a big fan but gave it a chance.I admit, that I hate the constant are you still with me/out there as well. I was surprised that quite a few were leaving early.

His description of the stage setup with it feeling like Jon and backing musicians was interesting. I believe that is the direction the "band" has been heading for a while apart from Richie. The talents of the others (apart from Bobby) are wasted.

I was debating about seeing them in Australia this tour but if Richie is not there I will not be buying tickets.

After reading that article I want to see Prince!

Lost on a Highway · #**195** 04-28-2013, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jovimimi

But this San Jose show compared to Lisbon is totally surreal (Ok my judgement is based on what I have to judge : I was in Lisbon and didn't watch the show live in san jose (arena show of the band minus Richie Sambora + X ) (found the first 44 minutes online today and was bored to death)..I am assuming the poster make the comparison with a high dose of concert high remaining
But it was an interesting review nevertheless
I hope Lost On Highway enjoyed the california trip

I am afraid you are making an incorrect and condescending assumption here. This was not a case of concert high. It is all about personal preferences and opinions. I was bored at Lisbon; the only Bon Jovi show I have felt that way. Watching a concert live stream or a film does not capture the entire and true essence of a show. It just seems different than the actual experience.

I understand and respect if someone else attending the show has an opinion contrary to mine. I even described the parts of the show that left me underwhelmed and bored. My review was simply based on the criteria of whether the band was making an effort to give its best and was I connecting with it or not? I did not go to this show with any expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. I was seated behind the stage and kept observing the band members throughout. The only reason I posted here was because I felt the band deserved some acknowledgement for its effort. And I am a huge Sambora fan.

Btw I am not on a trip to California. I moved here almost a year ago due to work.

Anyway thanks to the members who enjoyed my account of the show.

Javier · #**196** 04-28-2013, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelsambo

http://rocksubculture.com/2013/04/26...oncert-review/

Cool! I didn't know that jacket said "The fighter" and that shirt said "Army of One" on the back. Nice!!!

superkid · #**197** 04-28-2013, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelsambo

http://rocksubculture.com/2013/04/26...oncert-review/

Interesting read. The guy is clearly not a fan, as he didn't even know that Bad Medicine was a Bon Jovi song. He made some good points though, and I agree with a lot of what he said.

I think a lot of it has to do with the prices as he said. When your charging that much the fan's expectations are going to be naturally higher. With every successive tour since Bounce the prices have gone up while the quality has gone down for the most part. Plus when you have a frequent concert goer, the opportunity cost of seeing Bon Jovi is too high for it to be worth it. I feel like that might have been why I felt better walking out of my St. Paul show than I did with Des Moines. The show was worth $30, not $200.

bounce442 · #**198** 04-28-2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelsambo

http://rocksubculture.com/2013/04/26...oncert-review/

Wow a great read!

I think a lot of the opinions this writer has comes from the price vs reward of the show. When you see a show selling tickets for $1800+, you should witness a damn miracle.

Bon Jovi used to put albums out that made listeners believers. And if the album didn't, then the show sure would... that's not the case anymore. Jon still knows how to put on a show (more so than the reviewer gives him credit for), but somewhere around the Lost Highway tour, Jon Bon Jovi became more of a business man than I think any of us are comfortable with and like the reviewer states in so many words, it's hard to go the show not think, "for these prices, I better see something special."

...sorry Superkid, I stole some of your words and didn't realize it until I hit submit

Beaky · #**199** 04-28-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelsambo

http://rocksubculture.com/2013/04/26...oncert-review/

So there is the acid test.

A music fan, someone who 'loves' two Bon Jovi songs and basically went along and said 'make me a fan.' This guy isn't a snob, he isn't lodged somewhere between Bono's vital organs, he clearly had almost no expectations except to be entertained. Just go back ten years ago and he would have come out of that place with a t-shirt, a program and would have been buying up the back catalogue the next day.

By the way, if the show is an absolute STORMER, I mean if you are screaming yourself horse and the band are holding a note at the end of a song; Tico is smashing the crap out of his cymbals, Dave is leaning back tinkling the ivories, Richie/Phil/A.N.Other is noodling away and dive-bombing the whammy bar and Jon is shaking his head, running about, arms out wide, his face telling you he wants more... then he approaches the mic and says 'are you still with me out there?' Then you scream louder.

If you hate that part of the show, you ain't watching a good Bon Jovi show.

MrIks from Finland · #**200** 04-28-2013, 03:44 PM

Did the original stream started in the middle of Water like the one in youtube...?
And Jon's voice seems to get worse every night, now he really struggles even with Born to be My Baby

Official April 25, 2013, HP Pavilion, San Jose thread

Tour Discussion