Official July 27, 2013 -> Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, USA thread

Wrath Mania, most of the time I think you're far too harsh and critical of the band, and Jon in particular. But you make a number of good points. I disagree about the casual fans being bored. That's not my experience at the shows (casuals seem to love it), and by all accounts, the stadium was rocking last night.

I do, however, strongly agree with your point above about belief in the songs. Jon always seems to enjoy performing Love's The Only Rule, and sells the hell out of it every time. This appears to win over audiences, even though it wasn't a single or big hit. Why not do the same with Amen, What's Left Of Me, and I'm With You? Like Wrath Mania said, properly introduce them by sharing what the songs are about and what they mean to you. Then play them with passion. Man, I'd kill for that. And I just don't understand I Love This Town. End last night's show with In These Arms (a staple earlier in the tour and played plenty of times with Phil), and it would have seemed so much better.

I lost the youtube link, but phils solos and outro for "always" were pretty damn awesome from this show.

Anyone blaming Phil is delusional. This is nothing more than pure laziness on Jon's part. Phil could learn any song in a matter of minutes. He proved that when Richie didn't show up a few months ago.

If Jon is so concerned about how some new songs might go over, then add more show to them. Use The Circle more. Build a catwalk like on the NJ Tour. Fly out to the back of the stadium like on the Slippery Tour. It's a load of crap. Other bands get away with playing new songs and pull it off. See AC/DC.

It's so damn frustrating. Besides Jon lying about changing the sets up, he acts so concerned about not being a nostalgia act, then goes on tours and tours EXACTLY how a nostalgia act performs. No diversity to the sets at all.

I said for years (and never stuck to it) that I was gonna stop going to multiple shows, and this is the first tour I've actually kept my word. It's sad, but I really don't feel as though I've missed a damn thing. This is the most half-assed, pathetic excuse for touring I've ever seen. Christ, club-bands with 3 records to their credit mix up the set lists more than this.

I am not sure why we are peddling the myth that most other bands vary their setlists considerably. Of course some do, but most don't. We have become spoilt in that aspect as Bon Jovi fans and I too am let down that Jon has gone to a more static set this tour.

It does seem though that this tour has been one very much for the casual, die hard's need not look.

Jon peddles that myth that Bon Jovi changes their set more than anyone else does.

Agreed. If he shut his trap about it, no one would really care. But the fact that he pats himself on the back so much in interviews about how diverse the sets are just pisses people off.

I agree with this. You can´t help but think that JBJ dislikes 75% of his own catalogue. He wants to be seen as a serious songwriter and most songs from for instance the 80´s don´t reflect that for him.

Just play something different once in a while. It doesn´t have to be a Fahrenheit Medley. He said himself that he likes songs like "Just older", "Welcome to wherever you are",... - then why doesn´t he play them? Because "Welcome.." wasn´t a hit? Neither were "Lost Highway" or "We weren´t born to follow" and they still get played every night. There´s no need to perform those (now) rarer songs on a daily basis but he could rotate them with others.

Most new songs don't reflect that either.

For him they obviously do

If he wants to be taken seriously, he should really drop We Got It Going On from the set.