Responding to the *dead crowd* comments

C'moon they are a huge rock band, may I say stadium-rock band. They deserve to be treated as one

At least when I go to a rock concert I take everything out of it by jamming and rockin with them. And at the same time I can listen to it and focus on every singe detail....

What do you mean by BETTER? We aren't talking about nationalistic feelings here.

Better because you are louder? Better because you jump around more? Better how?

I get that the audiences are different but I don't get "better".

Though I never been at an US show myself and can only judge from the videos it is quite obvious that a European audience is more into it and way more enthusiastic than an American corwd no doubt.

A louder audience that moves and interacts with the band is far better than a quiet one for obvious reasons.

The band feed off the crowds energy and that's the best thing about a rock show according to the acts themselves.

Lets just compare One Wild night from a random European show and an American one.

European


American

Read my comments above - do you think that screaming over the lead singer that you paid to hear is more *into it* or more enthusiastic?

I'm not trying to be a pain the ass here - I'm trying to have a discussion on a subject that has come up over and over again. And I guess I'm a little tired of the American audience getting bashed. Considering the shows I've been to - I have wanted to tell most of the people around me to STFU.

There was a Prudential show - #9 I think - that had a female literally squealing at max volume in my ear through the entire show. I was recording that night and she is represented loud and clear. I remember Thierry telling me I should have smacked her - believe me - I was tempted.

Been to shows in Europe as well with annoying "neighbors" around. But even that is better than to have to say sorry to someone beside you because you started to dance or have a good time. It also musat be annoying for a band on stage seeing an audience with hands in their pockets and not moving at all while you try to entertain them. I couldn't believe the crowd at MSG was that lame on the BJ bluray. I always thought MSG would be a madhouse....
In the end it all comes down to personal taste but I have to say I prefer a good enthuastiastic crowd over a crowd you have to ask why they are here...

I been to an Aerosmith show once and only got seats (I hate seats at a rock show). What was even worse was the fact that I could not stand up because the handicapped pple in their wheelchairs were right up behind me.
I was just plain boring sitting around and clap after each song. That's what I could have done at home in front of the screen as well. SO I got another ticket (standing this time) for Aero and rocked away....

I am a bit of both when it comes to shows. I always sing along to all the songs I know,
I don't hear myself anyways (even though my neighbour might....) can't help myself, BUT when/if I hear a song I don't know OR it's a rarity I tend to stand still and just savour the moment as you do Kathleen and I can get really annoyed with people who can't stop
shouting during these special moments. Also there is a difference between singing along and just shouting at the top of your lungs, in my book anyways.

I've already given up on this one, Kathleen. Didn't you get the memo? All our shows are shit (just rehearsal for the real deal across the pond) and we're all terrible fans and don't enjoy the shows. Odd that we keep going back, don't you think? Also odd that so many from the land of perfect shows want to come over here to see the band. Like I said, I've given up.

Aloha !

The thing is though, I rarely stand next to Thierry during a show anymore simply because I want to be able to sing along. I'm not at a gig to take care of the taper who might be recording the show. Thierry told me that once you tape a show you shut up and just watch the show but that's not how I prefer to enjoy my concerts and it's exactly the reason why I refuse to tape a gig. I want to be able to jump and sing, and you talk about people who sing along with the shows as if it's a bad thing while it's sort of the norm here in Europe.

I remember Diamond Ring in Amsterdam, everyone sang along. Did it destroy the performance? No, it made it better. I don't think the entire GA area should be one big moshpit, and I do think it's everyone's right to just sit still and enjoy the show like some people here claim to do, but there's a differente to just watching and listening and chatting and walking. Look at Livin' On A Prayer from Giants 2001. Americans on this board said it was the best crowd ever, yet when watching the video you see people walking, getting a beer and all that stuff. It might be hard to believe for you, but that just doesn't happen. In fact here in Holland they have people walking through the crowd to serve them drinks, but once the shows starts those people are gone.

There's also no such thing as a piss break for certain songs. People in Europe come to see the show and want to see the entire show. True, some might leave before the encore starts, but most people watch the show from start to finish. I've never witnessed an American crowd in real life but when looking at the bootleg DVD's it's obvious that a loud crowd in America means nothing compared to any European show. It's just the way it is.

They come to see the band in New Jersey because Bon Jovi most of the time gives a better show there. Personally, I go to Giants Stadium to see it for myself one time, and because it's close to New York ánd because Kathleen lives there. I can do 3 things at the same time. Would Giants Stadium be near San Jose or Dallas I wouldn't give a **** about them, really. There's no one who says "I'm from Europe and I'm going to see the band in San Jose, awesome!", while an American can pick any show in Europe and be sure that it'll be miles better than any show in America, apart from the odd exception here and there.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

I think the biggest difference between European and American Bon Jovi audiences is movement really. I was at MSG both nights, and I can say without any hesitation that those were two of the loudest shows I've ever been to (and I've been to a lot) but because of the setup of American Arenas (for Bon Jovi) there's little room for dancing and etc. As for the Euro crowds being so "super-amazing", why is it that London died during I Believe? Or that a lot of crowds died during DC? Bottom line is that there's a lot of casual fans everywhere.
BTW, I'm with Seb on one thing. I like to be able to belt out every word, and really get lost in a show. So take note bootleggers, never sit next to me =p