The smirk - the unwritten rule of the board.

Too right! haha. My obvious guess is that Jon thought he was capable of doing the entire show. It wasn't until after Runaway where he stopped and told the crowd that he was sick and singing like shit. So it's safe to assume that from THINFS-Runaway was planned, then from WGIGO onwards was Jon doing what he could before he couldn't do any more.

The setlist is way better than others because it has way better flow and not that dreaded 4 THINFS song snoozefest in a row. The only lull in this set is tracks 4 to 7, and even then those aren't that bad.

That set of songs from track 8 to 16 have a killer order and flow, and seem to build on top of each other.

I would rather have 16 songs done well (which in this case they weren't due to being sick) than 23 songs with huge lulls.

Check out the KTF tour setlists. Amazing shows, only 16-17 songs.

I totally agree. I think he could have caused even more damage to his voice by singing with a sore throat last night. It certainly doesn't help.

I'm amazed at how he hasn't protected his voice - his main instrument, money maker - at all costs through the years. I'd rather he cancel than damage his voice more and we lose him from the stage even sooner.

I'm friends with a man who became a successful country music singer on a national level. He's Jon's age and did the same thing by pushing himself until he finally learned that he has to take care of his voice - the only one he's got - or it's all over. He finally took time off to let his cords heal and was treated by a doctor at Vanderbilt. And country is easier on the voice than Jon's 80's rock screams.

I bet Jon's wife just wants to shoot him for continuously pushing it. Or she's just given up by now because she's seen him doing it for decades!




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Bring on the vid of DB doing Prayer!

True, we care and see what performing while sick can do to his voice and we'd probably be very understanding if he cancelled our show for that reason. But we are the minority of fans.

The vast majority are not going to appreciate being screwed up at the last minute and losing their travel tickets, hotel reservations, etc. Those are the fans that would take social media by storm to bitch very vocally. The last thing they need after last show's debacle is another shitstorm tbh. In fact I've seen people say "now that Jon has been caught lipsyncing and can't do it again he's all of a sudden sick, how convenient". Imagine if they had cancelled...

This is really a damned if the do, damned if they don't situation so Jon honored their reputation as a hardworking band that never cancels unless something unavoidable forces them (I know we can discuss a few suspiciously re-scheduled shows that were selling poorly, but overall that's what they do)

I was thinking about that. Had that scandal not occurred at the previous show, I would probably be saying they should cancel. But he had more to try to prove tonight.

I'm concerned that he's been sick for days though. I had an apparent cold back in November that turned into laryngitis that lasted a month (My vocal coach friend told me I should've gone to a doctor but I'm stubborn/stupid like that.:p)

I absolutely agree, but you are comparing apples to oranges really. That KTF average setlist is truly a Greatest Hits setlist from the era. They had 2 monster albums full of hits, a Golden Globe winner (solo) song and a fairly succesful new album. Of course it's going to be a killer setlist!

The point is that setlist had an average of 1/3 KTF songs. They were not touring their biggest albums, they were touring their current album. That's what they've been doing since then and this is why I respect them, if they had kept that KFT-Crossroad basic setlist and just added the single for every new album they'd have very quickly become a nostalgia band and they didn't have the star power in the 90s to survive by touring the world every 5 years the same tired 80s hits. They would have probably be forgotten by now. That's in fact what has happened since they started ditching anything older than the current album at the beginning of every tour and almost all the new songs after like five shows. They could tour that KTF setlist and probably have decent numbers, but not every two years and not if they expected to be the no1 billboard touring act, that's for sure.

I'd rather have them believe in the albums and make an effort to include everything. And I don't care about 90% of the LH-TC-WAN songs and wouldn't mind if they never play them again!! But it doesn't make any sense to tell people your new album is your best and forget about it the minute is released. I know that TC and specially WAN was them throwing a bunch of songs together to have an excuse to tour without being labeled a nostalgia act, and I certainly didn't pretend that it didn't matter, I didn't even buy the albums! I didn't buy tickets or go to the shows! (and I was offered tickets for their 2013 show for free) but now I'd appreciate if they included anything from Bounce to WAN in this tour. The albums matter and it's a little bit insulting to your old fans to pretend that only the hits exist and only pander to the casuals while proclaiming "we are not a nostalgia act" every tour.

Well, first of all I strongly disagree about TC being just a bunch of songs thrown together. Even WAN isn't. It's very formulaic in parts and not as organic as TC, but still not just a bunch of songs. That's what they did with BB, and I'm glad they picked good songs for the most part.

Why you didn't go to the show you were offered a free ticket for is beyond me (unless you couldn't go), but that's something you've missed, not me.

The problem with the set list is that there's a number of hits that *have* to be played, some semi-hits that are fan favorites (at least in Jon's book), and some songs Jon genuinely believes in (like LH, Born To Follow, Working Man, etc.). Combine that with 4-6 new songs, and you have your setlist. Could they rotate 2-3 songs? Sure. At least they do rotate 1 from time time. Not what we'd hope for, but better than nothing.

And while some songs have been the same since the LH tour, by including more than 1-2 new songs, it's hardly nostalgia, it's just that songs like Wanted, Prayer, IML, etc. have to be played. There's no way around it...

3 last songs:
https://www.periscope.tv/w/1dRKZPlpELzJB

Prayer cuts out during the 1st verse...

I admire Jon for going out and playing. But this is insane. If you were too sick, cancel the show. I know this is comparing Apples and Oranges but last year Springsteen was playing Phoenix and was massively ill and had a really severe case of laryngitis. Before the show, he had a shot to his throat and played 3 and a half hours. Next time, get the shot Jon :)

You can't win in this situation. You cancel, you make everyone mad. You play, you get criticized for playing when you're sick. You can't assume that he has not had medical treatment, including any magic shot. Personally, I get sick, get shots, and I'm still sick for days. What works for Bruce might not work for Jon. If it were a show I was attending, I'd appreciate even a cut short show because I would have taken off work, traveled, paid for a hotel room.... a lot of fans put a lot into getting to a show and Jon gets that any doesn't take it for granted.

I agree with this 100%!

Hmm, doesn't sound half as bad as I assumed it would. In fact, I barely notice any difference to the other shows of the tour (except that one in Philly? perhaps)...

I agree. It's a no win situation, as many people may have traveled, paid for hotels, etc. That's why sites like Priceline suck. No refunds unless you can come up with a letter from God stating why you canceled.

Personally, I'd prefer a postponed show, but I get where Jon is coming from. On the other hand, he should make it up to Pittsburgh.

He must have been in pain!!! I would think that he could have faked his way through a few more songs if he wasn't... Also, why not give Phil and Dave a song each? You can't go wrong with a fun cover... Have the audience do the first verse of Wanted and talk the rest....

Regarding Phil doing a cover... I liked when he did You Shook Me All Night Long in 2013 in Europe!


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That's what was playing in my head as I was typing that last post

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While he should absolutely put on a second show to make up for it I can say without a drop of doubt this board would have crucified him for cancelling. "Sore throat, suck it up" "These people paid good money for what you charge" etc. He could never win in this situation. That being said this is a perfect opportunity to have the band sing some covers if they were just going to give them another show to make up for it. The fact that they didn't makes me think he went on thinking it wasn't as bad as it was and got sicker.
'

No. We wouldn't.

Die hard fans here are a lot of things but understanding is not one of them. I'm absolutely guilty of it sometimes.

I personally think he hasn't done himself any good going up there and trying to sing with the already damaged vocal chords he has been battling with the whole tour. Maybe he really got a shot some time before the show and thought he could pull it off. But Matt's tweet has put me off once again:

An honest apology with an explanation of Jon's health issues and why the show was cut short because of that would have been far better in my opinion. But this guy reacts like a spoiled brat anytime criticism may arise somewhere.

Actually I highly doubt that Jon will be in a good enough shape tomorrow and Saturday to go full force for the MSG shows. And these are probably the most precious ones to him on this leg.

If this video uploaded over Twitter was any indication, they ditched the Metlife backing track for the first time in this tour. And Jon did that part pretty well by 2017 standards.

https://twitter.com/sam_d369/status/849804990378123265

This.
Pittsburgh was the 4th show we've been able to see this tour (Greenville, Chicago, St. Paul). THISNFS sounded a little bit different; I thought he had decided to change it up a bit to prove that he wasn't lip synching, but I was wrong. Also, his voice wasn't powerful, but that's been a complaint throughout the tour. Anyway, as the songs progressed, he started not singing some lines and letting the audience fill them in. I believe he thought he could make it through the concert, but his voice deteriorated as he continued. He changed the set list, left out some of the new stuff, and played a few hits before calling it quits. I think he made the right decision. I'm disappointed but not angry. I feel sorry for the people for whom this was their only show.

Sounds different at least. To me, it sounds like Jon started live and then the track slowly came in, too. But then again, the note seemed longer, so maybe it was all live - or a new backing track, maybe an auto-tuned live performance from 2017 ;-)

Just curious, why is it known as the Metlife backing track?

Matt is not only on the payroll but is related to Jon. You'll never hear a bad word or criticism, even if justified. Which is fine, except he expects everyone else to think the same or they're patronised or ignored by him. In my opinion he's an arsehole.


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They've been using that line from the MetLife live stream in 2013.

Interesting, I didn't know that. I assumed they were just using the usual one for that show as well.

Sounds horrible, but at least not cheating.

Agreed.

MSG shows are the primary shows for the tour and he minimized any chance of getting healthy for them because of his "fighter" ego.

I agree that there was no winner in this situation, which made it a touch choice. And I will never question Jon's heart and willingness to give his all. But when one is faced with tough choices, it's always better to pick the long term-oriented option (protecting his instrument for the rest of his career) vs. short term gains (giving a show for those 15k thousand people in Pittsburgh).

I think he has to understand that, to deliver his best, he needs treatment for his voice.

Like I said previously, if he's already doing or has done, it means it didn't work and it is time to retire.

But the problem with Jon, it's the way he sees him as an entertainer. He thinks that he can jump on the stage, make faces, bring people to sing along - it will make them happy. In part, he's very right, just see our colleague here that was "very excited to be there" and didn't pay attention to the shift in that playback mess, but to other people like me, it will not work if the guy can't sing at all, or can't sing in a level expected to a professional singer that charges a fortune for the tickets.

Understanding is not a word I would use to describe this group. Had they cancelled because Jon was sick, people would question if it were true, come up with conspiracy theories, ask why he can perform with physical injuries and schedule necessary surgery around tour dates but not play with a "simple cold," and just be jerks about it in general. The man could collapse on stage and at least one person around here would question whether he was faking it. No, I don't have any specific person in mind. I just know how discussions go here.

Incredibly well said.

I wonder if he was feeling rough a few days ago hence the backing track to support him, but since they cocked it up they have had to do away with it.

No win for Jon really, surprised he didn't bow out with wanted and prayer, would have felt a bit more complete. But kudos for soldering on and a lot of the crowd would be none the wiser.

I think just taking an encore after Bad Medicine would make it feel more complete. It's good for everybody. It gives the crowd a heads up and sense of closure. But more importantly, he could sit down for a few minutes and gather his strength. With a break maybe he could have played wanted (the audience sings the first verse after all)... then again, maybe he wouldn't have found the strength to go back out there.

If he didn't do Wanted, he was too sick to do it. That is all you can say. I was at a stadium show that they had to cut short because of weather and safety and he came out and did Wanted early before calling it a night. The sky was green. And in case you don't live in a tornado prone area, that only means tornadoes and probably hail are imminent.

Jon's PR people are the best. They came out right away and basically said "Well at least he played." That's like me going on TV representing a client whole robbed a bank and said well at least he gave back the money.

The whole didn't want to disappoint the fans is rubbish. Why didn't he fight the load in time for Denver rather than reschedule that? I can't believe reading on Facebook and Twitter that people are buying into the he's a warrior and went on anyways bull****.

I'm coming from a position of, if you are sick, cancel instead of going half you know what. I also come from the position in sports where if a guy is injured and playing, he is more of a detriment to the team than he is a help. Just my opinion. I hope this show gets released, I'll listen to it regardless.

The guy was in a no-win situation. Cancelling altogether would upset some, while cutting the show short upset others. There was no way he'd be able to please everyone.

And there's a lot at stake when a show is cancelled on such short notice. People don't get paid and refunds have to be offered. It's a big deal.

I am sure he thought he could force himself to power through it, but unfortunately realized too late that he just couldn't. And I wouldn't be surprised if the tech error from the previous show was a factor in his decision too. If he had cancelled, no doubt some would have concluded that it was done out of embarrassment or something like that.

I feel bad for the fans that got short changed, but I feel bad for Jon too. He must have truly felt like shit to not even play Wanted.

If you have to travel to any show you attend, pay for a hotel room, and only get 2 personal days to take off a year at work, you appreciate the effort of doing a shorter show over no show. It's not like you can easily and inexpensively book another flight and get a sick note from the artist to keep your boss from docking your pay if you miss another two days for a rescheduled show. So saying that fans are stupid to appreciate the effort is what is bullshit.