I've been a BJ fan since 1986 and have seen them 15 times so far, so I think I have the credentials to comment on this;

NO-ONE LIKES THE SETLISTS!!!!

Having been a member of this board for a few years and been tracking the setlists for all that time it's been interesting to note that none of us like what they play.

No, thats wrong, we love what they play - BUT - it could be a whole lot better.
So, it got me thinking - why is that?

Here is my answer - what do you think?
I think BJ basically gear their setlists for the casual fan. I also think that 'These Days' rocked Jon because it was his most personal and creative record and yet it bombed. Ask any dedicated BJ fan and they will wax lyrical about what a great CD it is but ask any casual fan and they will go'Huh?'. It's since the 'These Days' tour that BJ have metamorphasised into this 'party rock' band - almost as if Jon said 'Well, I beared my soul, you didn't like it, so I've only got one thing to say, Is there a doctor in the house?!'

The 'These Days' tour was the last great tour they did. It wasn't a 'party rock' tour. They played songs like 'Dry County', 'In These Arms (regularly), 'Something to Believe In', 'I Believe', 'Diamond Ring', 'Hey God', and plenty of others. It had acoustic sections- anyone remember how good the acoustic version of 'I'd Die For You'? and lasted a good 2 1/2 hours with good chat from Jon.

You just don't get that these days (no pun intended)

Obviously with a band like BJ who has such a large back catalogue you can't please everyone but the last few tours - 'Crush', 'One Wild Night' and most parts of the 'Bounce' tour so far have been uninspiring and SAFE.

I'll still be there at Wolverhampton but I just hope that I'm not standing there like the last two times predicting whats going to come next and speaking Jon's lines as he says them!