Official May 14, 2011 - Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA thread

If tonight show is plain vanilla rest of the US shows will get the same thing
since there is a FC trip going in Orlando tonight

Probably a good assessment.

The theory makes sense but then again, it falls on Jon being lazy. It's not about Phil learning songs. He seems to be more than willing to do so and learned Dry County. It's just easier for Jon to play the same songs over the leg and use the excuse that it's because Richie isn't there.

Exactly on schedule it seems. Same set in most of the south.

One of the best things about the night was that there was no opening act. I loved that. I wish they'd do that from now on. Forget the opening act and just get to the point. They played for 2 hours and 38 minutes which I thought was pretty decent.

The opening that showed the clips with Richie tugged at my heartstrings and made me feel sad because I knew he wasn't going to be there, but I was pleasantly surprised with the show itself. Jon is the best frontman in the business and the show was non-stop, hit-packed, and full of energy. Phil X is fantastic. He brought something fresh and exciting to the songs. When I looked ahead to seeing seeing a show without Richie I figured it would be one of the worst Bon Jovi shows I would ever attend, but that's not the way I'll look back on it at all.

Jon sounded great all night long. During Bad Name I found myself thinking that he sounded really good and that's not exactly a song made to showcase vocals. I knew we were in for a great night at that point. I looked around the arena a few times and was completely astonished by how it was packed full. I don't think there was an empty seat in the house. Even behind the stage and way, way, way up in the nosebleeds were full. I'm happy for them that they can sell out venues the way they do after all these years. But the reason is clear, they put on one of the best shows you'll ever see. I'd personally like to hear some more album tracks and some different album tracks (really, I like WFTWM and even I don't want to hear it live that often) but Jon knows what he's doing. People react to these songs. Of course, I think Jon has so much magnetism that he could stand up there and sing Mary Had a Little Lamb and the audience would be eating out of his hand. I was pleased because they sang Saturday Night, Keep the Faith, Make a Memory, Bed of Roses, We Got It Going On, and Lost Highway. It was even nice to hear Sleep When I'm Dead again and that's a song I'd gotten tired of at one point. I really enjoyed Old Time Rock and Roll too. I cracked up at Jon's Mick Jagger impression. He looks like a giant chicken. Somehow it works for him. LOL Tico and Dave were both fantastic all night long. Dave was full or energy. I adore the way Tico and Jon interact.

My friend Karen was mightily impressed with Phil X. Her husband is a guitar teacher and it takes a lot to impress her when it comes to guitarists. She didn't miss Richie "one iota." I missed the interaction between Jon and Richie, especially during Wanted. But musically, nothing was really missing. Phil is more than capable of playing the songs and doing so expertly.

I'm looking forward to seeing them again in Memphis in a few days.

Review:
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-music-s...xntlid=thbz_hm

Meeting with at-risk youth:
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/jon-...ss_news_128746

That has to be, without a doubt, one of the best reviews I have ever read. This band never gets good reviews - perhaps they are finally beyond being dismissed since they won't go away. It was not gushing either - the Richie issue was raised and discussed quite fairly I think.

Nice to read - thanks Becky.

Thank you so much for your review Becky. Great read and I'm happy that you had a good night.

Thanks for the links also. Much appreciated.

The setlist looks good on paper. Especially the BOB/HAND/KTF bit. And, finally, more Circle songs than LH.

Good to hear it WAS a good show too.

I agree with you Kathleen. I was in Pittsburgh over the weekend so I'm just catching up on the show reviews. Thank you Becky for your review and for passing on the links.