Official July 12, 2013 -> Soldier Field, Chicago, IL, USA thread

Momentary halt of people whining about American set lists.

They played the acoustic intro to Prayer last night, which I much prefer over the a capella opening. I think Jon played this out desperation the night in Calgary when Richie left. It has stuck most nights, and that's a good thing.

Without Richie, it was a better show than I thought it would be. The WAN songs did not seem to get over, but the crowd seemed to be into everything else.

This was my wife and my tenth BJ show, and we left happy. (I thought the J. Geils Band should have been playing a rib fest fifty miles away though...)

But you know what I mean. Of course your there to have fun, but to tell yourself in advance that to expect nothing extraordinary is the way to have fun... It's just depressing to me. I see no point in going to a show this tour.

I should explain myself better. When I say no expectations I strictly mean as to what songs will be played. I certainly have expectations as to the quality of the show, performance wise, vocally, sound wise etc....... and the mood of the band has a huge effect on a show for me. A blah Jon, a lost in himself Richie, those things will bring the quality of a show down for me. On the other hand a Jon busting his butt, even if his voice is a bit off that night, will make a show better for me, as will a fully engaged, fully into it Richie.
As to my comment about having fun in Chicago, let me say stadium shows are not my thing anymore, I really don't care much for these kinds of gigs, it's why I haven't been to europe since TD, I just prefer the indoor arena gigs. So when i do venture out once a tour or so to a stadium, mostly because I want to see the bigger stage show etc.... if I do some dancing and singing, if the show is of good quality, and chicago was, then I had fun and was glad i saw it. If a rare song comes my way, I count myself lucky. And as i said earlier I'm still jealous as hell of Eurpoes setlists, would love to have just a few of the songs they get.

I get it, I really do. The US doesn't get the shows Europe does, and while I haven't been over the pond since the TD era, i do remember getting some amazing shows and getting some songs i never would have heard here.
I guess it's just that for me BJ is my thing. It's the one thing i do in my life that is just for me, it's not about the kids the grands, the old man, it's all mine. And i still after almost 30 years, really enjoy watching and listening to the band take the stage and play live, no matter what they are playing setlist wise. I'm sorry that you feel it's time to be done, but i get why.

Bon Jovi - KEEP THE FAITH -7-12-2013

Phil skipped the talk box in We Got it goin' on, weird but I like it like that. I think Richie did it a few times as well....

seriously, how does he keep from literally shitting himself ? do you think he wears diapers just in case ? I'll always ask the same question but man, if he's so self-aware of his performance and vocal range, why on earth does he insist on playing certain songs in certain keys ? it's pitiful to listen to this.

The first chorus was passable, but man ... The second and third were so out of key, it made me cringe ... He was so far from hitting the notes, this was terrible. He has to drop this song and starr playing a fan favorite that he can actually sing rather than butcher it.

Always sounds so bad that he needs to drop it this tour and put This Ain't A Love Song on its place.