Originally Posted by Rdkopper (Post 1223694)

Review Time:

It's really night and day... Even a section can change your whole view and dynamic of a show... One level up and people were sitting during the opening and even yelling at people to "sit down in front" until Jon made everyone stand for Bad Name.... The lower sections are just the opposite. You can't get anyone to sit. People were dancing. Such a different experience...

Originally Posted by Rdkopper (Post 1223694)

Review Time:
So I started in one section and ended in another... Our seats weren't horrible to start... 2nd level up on Shank's side however after being where we were for the first show, it was difficult being there... Then the stars must have been lined up. While in the beer line (during Whole Lotta Leavin) a random lady comes up to me and hands me 2 upgraded tickets (actually 3 but I only needed 2) close to the section I was in the first night down by Phil, first level... It was crazy... So I stayed for a few more songs in the okay section and went down during Who Says...

It's really night and day... Even a section can change your whole view and dynamic of a show... One level up and people were sitting during the opening and even yelling at people to "sit down in front" until Jon made everyone stand for Bad Name.... The lower sections are just the opposite. You can't get anyone to sit. People were dancing. Such a different experience...

The show itself was great again... Same old vocal/setlist feedback! The vocals were fine and not horrible. The set-list blah blah blah... I don't have a problem with repeat sets, especially in different cities, I just have a problem with the choice of songs... For example, Lost Highway and Whole Lot A Leavin need to go... I was thinking that maybe Jon is trying to include more Shanks' co-written/produced/guitar driven songs in the sets...I don't know, can't figure it out... I just don't get some of these random unknown to casual fan songs like Whole Lotta Leavin... I think what's also throwing people off are the songs being sung in the same order... Something else we are not used to. Prayer could be an opener one night and a closer the next once upon a time ago... I think if Jon randomized the sequence a little more, it wouldn't be so bad... anyway...moving on...

Jon's energy was fantastic. Just watching him was making me tired. He is in incredible shape. When you're not at these shows and just reading setlists and watching select videos on YouTube, you are only judging a fraction of what's really going on... Jon is all over that stage, dancing, interacting with all the guys... Very youthful... He is definitely not sluggish in that department...

New Songs:
THINFS and Knockout have grown to be my favorite songs off this album... When they were the first 2 songs released off the album, I was worried, especially with Knockout but seeing these songs come to life as openers, they are absolutely fantastic. Jon punching the Boom Boom Boom is awesome... NYD is also a great when Jon says '****! It's great to be in a Rock n Roll Band 1, 2, 3" and then the song kicks off... WDR is kind of a dud which is disappointing... I'm glad Jon proved that he could pull it off live because I remember everyone saying that he'll never be able to but they don't do it right... The Woooo Woooo Woooo beginning comes off too whiny or something (wrong pitch) and the song needs more attitude like in the album version. Jon sings it too soft... He's whispering the beginning... Great guitar work though.... Roller-Coaster comes off great live too... Fun song and great crowd pleaser... It's the WGIGO of THINFS...

I'm disappointed that Devil and LWTG were never done at any of the 3 shows I attended...

I touched on the encore last night (a few posts back)... Captain Crash might have been played in a record time, shortest to date... which is a good thing. I hate when mediocre songs are dragged out...

And his family was not in attendance this time around!!! I guess one show per tour was enough for them!

In summary, all three shows were really great... I get why some people are down with the sets and vocals but I can honestly say that Jon still does it better than most... Maybe not nearly as good as his younger years but he's still a great performer... He's got the energy, knows how to work a crowd, and 2.5 hour shows are still impressive... I'll rate this show 8.5 out of 10. A few better songs in the set would make it a 9.5.

I want to believe that these 29 Arena shows are just warm-ups for a bigger and better Stadium tour to come. Especially in Europe...

What's next for Jon until the 2nd leg? I don't think it's happening this summer because I'm sure tickets would have been on sale by now... Does he start writing the next album?

Originally Posted by Rdkopper (Post 1223694)

Review Time:
So I started in one section and ended in another... Our seats weren't horrible to start... 2nd level up on Shank's side however after being where we were for the first show, it was difficult being there... Then the stars must have been lined up. While in the beer line (during Whole Lotta Leavin) a random lady comes up to me and hands me 2 upgraded tickets (actually 3 but I only needed 2) close to the section I was in the first night down by Phil, first level... It was crazy... So I stayed for a few more songs in the okay section and went down during Who Says...

It's really night and day... Even a section can change your whole view and dynamic of a show... One level up and people were sitting during the opening and even yelling at people to "sit down in front" until Jon made everyone stand for Bad Name.... The lower sections are just the opposite. You can't get anyone to sit. People were dancing. Such a different experience...

The show itself was great again... Same old vocal/setlist feedback! The vocals were fine and not horrible. The set-list blah blah blah... I don't have a problem with repeat sets, especially in different cities, I just have a problem with the choice of songs... For example, Lost Highway and Whole Lot A Leavin need to go... I was thinking that maybe Jon is trying to include more Shanks' co-written/produced/guitar driven songs in the sets...I don't know, can't figure it out... I just don't get some of these random unknown to casual fan songs like Whole Lotta Leavin... I think what's also throwing people off are the songs being sung in the same order... Something else we are not used to. Prayer could be an opener one night and a closer the next once upon a time ago... I think if Jon randomized the sequence a little more, it wouldn't be so bad... anyway...moving on...

Jon's energy was fantastic. Just watching him was making me tired. He is in incredible shape. When you're not at these shows and just reading setlists and watching select videos on YouTube, you are only judging a fraction of what's really going on... Jon is all over that stage, dancing, interacting with all the guys... Very youthful... He is definitely not sluggish in that department...

New Songs:
THINFS and Knockout have grown to be my favorite songs off this album... When they were the first 2 songs released off the album, I was worried, especially with Knockout but seeing these songs come to life as openers, they are absolutely fantastic. Jon punching the Boom Boom Boom is awesome... NYD is also a great when Jon says '****! It's great to be in a Rock n Roll Band 1, 2, 3" and then the song kicks off... WDR is kind of a dud which is disappointing... I'm glad Jon proved that he could pull it off live because I remember everyone saying that he'll never be able to but they don't do it right... The Woooo Woooo Woooo beginning comes off too whiny or something (wrong pitch) and the song needs more attitude like in the album version. Jon sings it too soft... He's whispering the beginning... Great guitar work though.... Roller-Coaster comes off great live too... Fun song and great crowd pleaser... It's the WGIGO of THINFS...

I'm disappointed that Devil and LWTG were never done at any of the 3 shows I attended...

I touched on the encore last night (a few posts back)... Captain Crash might have been played in a record time, shortest to date... which is a good thing. I hate when mediocre songs are dragged out...

And his family was not in attendance this time around!!! I guess one show per tour was enough for them!

In summary, all three shows were really great... I get why some people are down with the sets and vocals but I can honestly say that Jon still does it better than most... Maybe not nearly as good as his younger years but he's still a great performer... He's got the energy, knows how to work a crowd, and 2.5 hour shows are still impressive... I'll rate this show 8.5 out of 10. A few better songs in the set would make it a 9.5.

I want to believe that these 29 Arena shows are just warm-ups for a bigger and better Stadium tour to come. Especially in Europe...

What's next for Jon until the 2nd leg? I don't think it's happening this summer because I'm sure tickets would have been on sale by now... Does he start writing the next album?

Originally Posted by aljo (Post 1223702)

I agree about sections but it was the opposite for me, was in lower 106, row 8 Thursday night and last night chase bridge 314 row 1 and I enjoyed last night's show much more. The crowd around me was up most of the time and really having a great time. They even seemed to be into the new songs.

Wasn't sure how I would feel about the bridge seating but it was really cool to see what I thought was a bird's eye view of the band and the audience.

I also thought he had a ton more energy last night and sounded a lot better too. It was cool to watch Tico, that guy is unbelievable.

Disappointed Devil's in the temple wasn't played and would have loved to hear "always" or "I'll be there for you"

His voice is not what it was, but he still knows how to work a crowd and until he can't do that anymore, I think we still have quite a few more tours to look forward to.

Originally Posted by aljo (Post 1223704)

forgot to mention in my last post that I really enjoyed reading your review rdkopper and how lucky for you that you got upgraded tix!

Originally Posted by aljo (Post 1223702)

I agree about sections but it was the opposite for me, was in lower 106, row 8 Thursday night and last night chase bridge 314 row 1 and I enjoyed last night's show much more. The crowd around me was up most of the time and really having a great time. They even seemed to be into the new songs.

Wasn't sure how I would feel about the bridge seating but it was really cool to see what I thought was a bird's eye view of the band and the audience.

I also thought he had a ton more energy last night and sounded a lot better too. It was cool to watch Tico, that guy is unbelievable.

Disappointed Devil's in the temple wasn't played and would have loved to hear "always" or "I'll be there for you"

His voice is not what it was, but he still knows how to work a crowd and until he can't do that anymore, I think we still have quite a few more tours to look forward to.

Originally Posted by Captain.Crash (Post 1223700)

His family knew he wouldn't change up the set.... so they decided to stay home.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Originally Posted by Rdkopper (Post 1223708)

Is bridge seating those bar stools behind the glass???

Sent from my HTCD160LVW using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by aljo (Post 1223710)

there are 3 rows in the bridge seating. the first row is where we were and it is behind a glass, great view of all the guys, check out some of my videos and you'll know what I mean.

the 2nd row is behind us obviously and also has seating. The 3rd row are the bar stools. My husband loved the view and thought it must be amazing for a hockey/basketball game.