[Jayster]

Originally Posted by Walkerboy

Jon must have done something right - The Times gave it a 4 star review!!!
No paper EVER gives them more than 2 star........

The Birmingham Mail went one better;

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/what...a-park-4283522

[ezearis]

Originally Posted by Jayster

*Face palm*

What exactly is it you would like Jon to do to merit you labeling a performance like that 'good'?!

I'd like to see you after 3 hours sing us a song... and yes I realise you're not a rock star but, really, come on. You are not going to top that vocally now unless you have a time machine set to 1995.

Any 2010/2011 performance just beats this one, I looked on YouTube "Bon Jovi Always Live 2011", opened up a random one and it was better than this one:

Bon jovi- Always live Vienna 22-07-2011 - YouTube

[Captmorgs]

It really is kinda like following your favorite sports team.

From: They're terrible, they might never win again (boring setlists, Jon sounds awful)

To: They're awesome, they might win the championship (the band was on fire, Jon sounds much better).

Huge emotional swings from the diehard fan base.

[Jayster]

Originally Posted by ezearis

Any 2010/2011 performance just beats this one, I looked on YouTube "Bon Jovi Always Live 2011", opened up a random one and it was better than this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q1bmJUljjc

So?

I didn't say there weren't slightly better performances in the past, I asked the guy what it was that wasn't at least 'good' about this performance.

[C'monFeet]

Didn't get to shoot the show. Did walk straight onto the pitch without my £25 seated ticket being checked.

Struck me it's been 20 years since my first Jovi show - and hasn't changed too much except to be "streamlined" - it's obviously a business and a brand and you can see how that works (Jon Will Smile. You will feel good). They've matured as musicians - Tico Doesn't have to show off his power, David can just enjoy getting in the zone (&seemed to play off Phil v. well - Breakdown on Keep The Faith was EXCELLENT). - I guess not too much to prove at this point (Blessing & Curse)

Richie's VOICE was missed a LOT!! Far from the worst Jovi show I've seen (7/10 on the Jovi Scale) - glad I went, there was an excitement (and a Dry County), but one I'd only enjoy once every few years now, rather than multiple shows/making travel plans.

(Saw Mudhoney tonight and it was definitely more fun)

[Jayster]

Originally Posted by C'monFeet

Didn't get to shoot the show. Did walk straight onto the pitch without my £25 seated ticket being checked.

Haha. I take it you stayed there?

[C'monFeet]

Originally Posted by Jayster

Haha. I take it you stayed there?

Yep. At any sized venue I generally like the spot to the side of the stage where the crowd has thinned, but you aren't too far from the action - there was room there at Villa Park last night.

At Bruce in Manchester last year (as a counter-example) there wasn't an inch to spare on the pitch, and I'd have ended up at the very rear of the stadium (and the seat was the right choice). 17 year old me would hate 34 year old me, but a good view and a good sound and a degree of comfort really is what counts for me now.

[Bounce7800]

Was really impressed with Sunday's show at Villa. Was expecting a comedown from the Manc setlist, but if anything I preferred this one. The crowd edged it, really noisy at parts.

It was good to see plenty of changes from the night before. Runaway is always a welcome addition, and the Memory/IBT4U combo replaced by the night 2 combo of Roses & Amen was welcome. For the big festivals though the should just do I'll Be There For You & Bed Of Roses.

Crowd were in fine voice most of the way through, Because We Can was received well but What About Now was the first of the piss/beer breaks for most. I was disappointed to hear it again, as I'm on of the few who want to hear more of the new stuff, and that song is one of the weakest on the album for me. But they have it as a 2nd "single" for what that's worth so are giving it a play, but I would much rather hear Whats Left Of Me or Beautiful World.

If they really must play WAN, they need to sell it better. Put the guitar down Jon and get out on the walkway. At Manc they only used it for We Got It Going On, whilst here it was for a brief part of In These Arms at the end. Without the acoustic set from The Circle tour, it's a shame that the walkway is still seldom used.

Crash/Follow/Who Says is shit for me as I've heard it all before, but come Hyde Park I'm just gonna embrace the hate and wave the arms and do all the allrights!

Brilliant encore, and loved Jon going through the song choices. You really thought anything could happen, but I'm glad Always stayed in the set. Biggest song of theirs over here, so it needs to be a staple.

Jons voice- again decent. A fair bit of reverb a lot of the time maybe to help him along, but both nights sounded as good as can be for the current tour and there wasn't any butchering or brutal vocals.

Phil X- Brilliant again. Goes without saying that we miss Richie, but Phil has filled in wonderfully and with good grace. Once more the KTF & Always outtros were superb, and he did a good job on Dry County.

Nice to hear Happy Now, I'm a fan of it although a bit disappointed as at the first drumbeats I thought it was Something To Believe In! I always miss that one & Wild Is The Wind!

But still a great night again, with better side on seats, this time at the front of the upper block. I enjoyed both nights, and although the Manc gig had a few more touches with additional songs like Let Me Entertain You & other medleys which seemed to be missing from this one, the time saved there was used on Jovi tracks which was good.

First part of the set flowed great, although could've given up one of Lost Highway or WGIGO plus WAN. The end of KTF is so good it seems a shame to bring it down, but instead of Amen & Memory, I think the more well known of Roses/There For You would keep the energy up, with one of the others second.

Finally, just saw the setlist photo on BJ.Com, anyone able to zoom in to see the audibles?

[Walkerboy]

Originally Posted by Bounce7800

Nice to hear Happy Now, I'm a fan of it although a bit disappointed as at the first drumbeats I thought it was Something To Believe In! I always miss that one & Wild Is The Wind!

HAHAHA - EXACTLY what I thought when Tico started the beat. I was all "holy shit, it's Something To Believe In" and then it turned into Happy Now.... GUTTED!

[Bounce7800]

I had Something To Believe in typed out on the PBP as well, good job I waited before sending