Well.. IMO You shouldn't take the word of someone who hasn't been to a 96 show and has been to a 2008 show.
IMO people that went to a few shows back then and a few shows now should say.

Anyway, I never been to a Bon Jovi show. However, I will speak my mind.

I've only listened to bootlegs from both tours so I'm kinda impartial about it.
I believe 96' tours were much better for some reasons:

* Even though Jon is great vocally these days, then it was much better despite the vocal decline that was taking place.

* Even though the setlists didn't have the "shock factor" that setlist have in 08', they included less shitty songs due to the fact that most shitty songs are post-96'.

* They open with Lost Highway most of the times in this tour, that's another reason for choosing 96'


Remember not to give too much extra credit to this tour (even though its amazing) just because the past tours sucked so much.