Bon Jovi in Allentown 2/05/18

Bon Jovi (as a band) hadn't played in Allentown since 1984, when they were Scorpions' support act. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora played solo shows there in the 90s, but either way it's been a while. One might have expected a very predictable set list for Bon Jovi's first ever headlining gig there. It turned out to be the most surprising set of the year (so far). Here's what they played:

Allentown, PA, USA - PPL Center - May 2, 2018

1. This House Is Not For Sale
2. Raise Your Hands
3. You Give Love a Bad Name
4. Whole Lot of Leavin'
5. Lost Highway
6. In These Arms
7. Born to Be My Baby
8. Who Says You Can't Go Home
9. It's My Life
10. We Weren't Born to Follow
11. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
12. Keep the Faith
13. Amen
14. Bed of Roses
15. Lay Your Hands on Me
16. Runaway
17. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
18. Bad Medicine
    
    Encore:
19. Dry County
20. Wanted Dead or Alive
21. Livin' on a Prayer

"Dry County" made its tour debut, having not been played since the Because We Can Tour. "Saturday Night" and "Captain Crash" were played for the first time this year. "In These Arms" made its second appearance of 2018. And "We Got It Goin' On" was dropped (which I'm not at all sad about, but it was a surprise given it's pretty much been a staple for over a decade now).

Videos from Allentown

"Dry County". Won't lie, this is pretty rough vocally, though I think Jon sounds marginally better as the song progresses. But I love the song so much I probably wouldn't have cared if I were there:

"In These Arms". A decent performance by current standards. The camera pans to Phil X during the solo but it's definitely John Shanks playing it:

UPDATE: "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night":

If you'd like to share any videos from Allentown, feel free to link to them in the comments. 🙂