I was debating getting the $35 tix for tonight, but not for a short setlist and if Jon is sounding bad. I would end up leaving feeling sad that it has come to this. If the first night he is struggling, tonight will be worse, and since there are lots of tix left too, even in the pits , Jon is likely to be pissy.

I just watched those vids and one for Raise Your Hands and It's My Life.... At least now I know why there's no Always, Bed of Roses or I'll Be There For You

Definitely the worst I've ever heard :(
I think Jon should just call in sick and refund everyone's money.

If he continues like this next time he decides to tour here it will be at RSL clubs because no one will pay $150 and up to see that rubbish :/

I'm embarrassed to be a fan.

Steve

I don't know if the casuals noticed, but yes, Jon's voice was definitely way below its best (as I guess it has been for a while). It squeaked pretty audibly during Faith and I was worried he was going to be in a shitty mood after that but he wasn't. Dave and Bobby in particular, Phil to a lesser extent, really saved him vocally (and the crowd of course when it came to the hits). Other times he compensated by changing the timing, speaking instead of singing, etc as you've probably seen on the videos.

He could be sick, I guess. I will say that I have been struggling like crazy with hay fever/allergies the past couple of days in Melbourne, and I know Jon's voice should still be better than it is but it could be a factor at least.

I was further back than I have been for Bon Jovi before and there were very noticeable ebbs and flows. The girl next to me spent most of the night texting and I saw her update her Facebook status to something like "Basically every Bon Jovi song after 1999 is a pile of shit with wank juices" -- I disagree with the sentiment but they are picking the wrong songs, especially if they're not even going to mix anything up anymore. I love Memory, but it doesn't belong in that spot. Although I was surprised to hear people behind me (who didn't know a lot of the songs) singing along to Memory -- Lost Highway was the song that got played to death on radio during that tour IIRC.

Like Savvi said, Sleep to the end was pretty high energy and it's a shame they can't keep that up for the whole show.

I actually had a good time though, probably because I wasn't expecting any surprises, which is the way to go this tour. I've only ever been inside Etihad Stadium to do a tour of it before (and that was years ago when it was still Telstra Dome) so it was a nice first event there.

I could take or leave Kid Rock's music but he is one entertaining mofo. Can't help but love his energy.

It's crazy how much you don't notice the off key while your at the show. The out of breath and missing words I noticed, but Jon didn't sound that bad from where I was sitting. Was probably the music drowning him out.

My thoughts exactly .....

He definitly doesn't have the flu! If he did, he wouldn't have been at the press conference and he would have been able to do anything on stage. The flu can be fatal, you have to stay in bed to recover.

Summer in Australia officially started a week ago, so if anything has clogged up his throat, it's likely the change from winter in Japan to the high pollen count here.

In saying that though, I presume the Etihad roof was closed?

Anyway, I suspect his voice will improve. I hope to hear Dry County in Sydney.

I don't know if this is the case, but usually the videos sound worse than live performances, anyway...

Press Review

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/...208-2yysu.html

The energy and atmosphere add to the live experience. Jon indeed can't sing for shit these days but don't let us armchair critics ruin your memory of the show.

Oh it hasn't haha. This is my 6th Jovi show and I can safely say it was a good one. It was a fun night. It is easy to critique a show on paper and from YouTube vids. Like you said, the lve experience and atmosphere adds a whole heap.

I'm pumped for tonight (albeit it $35 seats haha) and more so my home city show in Perth on Thursday.

Side note - after the show there was a long cue of people outside the ticket gate purchasing tickets for tonight's show.