Bon Jovi in Chicago 26/04/18

Here's what Bon Jovi played in Chicago:

Chicago, IL, USA - United Center - April 26, 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. When We Were Us
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. Runaway
12. We Got It Goin' On
13. Keep the Faith
14. Amen
15. Bed of Roses
16. Lay Your Hands on Me
17. God Bless This Mess
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
19. Bad Medicine
    
    Encore:
20. (You Want To) Make a Memory
21. Wanted Dead or Alive
22. Livin' on a Prayer

I'm happy to see "Knockout" gone again despite my affection for This House Is Not For Sale overall, and I think "Raise Your Hands" is a stronger choice for that second spot. "When We Were Us" was also back in the set, having not been performed since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Videos from Chicago

"Wanted Dead or Alive":

"Runaway":

"Raise Your Hands":

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

A few days ago, Anthony Kuzminski sparked some debate by ranking each song in the Bon Jovi and Jon Bon Jovi back catalogue for Ultimate Classic Rock. He was also at this show and live tweeted from behind the stage. Here are a few of those tweets:

The ticket Gods work in mysterious ways and someone offered me a ticket to the show tonight. Tepid opening, quickly reversed by “Raise Your Hands” pic.twitter.com/tviiPqS68q

— The Screen Door (@thescreendoor) April 27, 2018

Ok, after a lot of blank stares from a good performance of “When We Were Us”, crowd wakes from their nap for “Born To Be My Baby”

— The Screen Door (@thescreendoor) April 27, 2018

I’m behind the stage as a gift from someone, so aside from a perfect view of their asses, I can see the entire crowd. It’s very rough going so far aside from the SWW and NJ numbers.

— The Screen Door (@thescreendoor) April 27, 2018

“It’s My Life” plays like the mega hit it is. Now it’s “We Weren’t Born To Follow”. People back in their seats and on their phones.

— The Screen Door (@thescreendoor) April 27, 2018

Not going to lie, there’s a huge gap on that stage without @TheRealSambora , that being said Phil X is damn good and a lot of fun to watch. If Richie ever came back I’d like to see Phil take on some mean rhythm guitar. @BonJovi #KeepTheFaith #BonJovi

— The Screen Door (@thescreendoor) April 27, 2018

I adore “Make a Memory” but it’s not a great encore song. “Wanted” without Richie’s harmonies is blasphemous. In the end, most people formed over $100 to hear “Livin’ on a Prayer” which has the place on their feet.

— The Screen Door (@thescreendoor) April 27, 2018

Bon Jovi in Chicago 26/03/17

Bon Jovi brought their This House Is Not For Sale Tour to Chicago, and here's what was played:

Set list: Chicago, IL, USA - United Center - 26 March 2017

1. This House Is Not Fot Sale
2. Knockout
3. You Give Love a Bad Name
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. Roller Coaster
7. We Weren't Born to Follow
8. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
9. We Got It Going On
10. Who Says You Can't Go Home
11. It's My Life
12. We Don't Run
13. God Bless This Mess
14. Scars on This Guitar
15. New Year's Day
16. Lay Your Hands on Me
17. Born to Be My Baby
18. Have a Nice Day
19. Bad Medicine
20. Keep the Faith
    
    Encore:
21. Raise Your Hands
22. Wanted Dead or Alive
23. Livin' on a Prayer

Nothing new, though "New Year's Day", which has only been played a couple of times, got another airing -- again in the place of "The Devil's in the Temple". "Labor of Love" was listed as an audible but didn't make the set list.

Videos from Chicago

"Keep the Faith" from behind the stage:

Here's the band taking their final bows:

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

Were you at this show?

Bon Jovi Chicago set list 23/10/13

It's only been a little over three months since Bon Jovi's last concert in Chicago. And I suspect that oversaturating the market over the past few years has more to do with the reportedly poor ticket sales this leg than the continuing absence of Richie Sambora, but I've heard mixed reviews about this show. Were you there?

Chicago, IL, USA - United Center - October 23, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
11. Keep the Faith
12. Amen
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Diamond Ring
15. (You Want To) Make a Memory
16. Born to Be My Baby
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Takin' Care of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
20. Bad Medicine
    / Old Time Rock 'n' Roll - Bob Seger cover

encore:
21. Wanted Dead or Alive
22. Work for the Working Man
23. I'll Be There For You
24. Runaway
25. Have a Nice Day
26. Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi Chicago set list 12/7/13

Bon Jovi's tour resumed in Chicago. Unlike the previous two legs, there was no official announcement ahead of this leg about the unavailability of Richie Sambora. Were you at the show?

Chicago, IL, US - Soldier Field - July 12, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Born to Be My Baby
5. Lost Highway
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. (You Want To) Make a Memory
12. Bed of Roses
13. In These Arms
14. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
15. We Weren't Born to Follow
16. Who Says You Can't Go Home
17. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Dancing in the Street - Martha & the Vandellas/Jagger & Bowie cover
18. Bad Medicine
    / Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison cover

Encore:
19. Runaway
20. Wanted Dead or Alive
21. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
22. Have a Nice Day
23. Livin' on a Prayer
24. Always
25. I Love This Town

Livin' on a Prayer opening Chicago

In a rare move, Bon Jovi opened with "Livin' on a Prayer" at their second Chicago concert on March 9, 2011. Here's the Greatest Hits intro video, followed by the performance.

Chicago 2 set list

No mindblowing inclusions, but there were a few tweaks for Bon Jovi's second night in Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois, USA - United Center - March 9, 2011
Livin' on a Prayer
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
We Weren't Born To Follow
Lost Highway
Blaze of Glory
It's My Life
Runaway
The More Things Change
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Hot Legs [Rod Stewart cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me [Richie Sambora on lead vocals]
Bed of Roses
Diamond Ring
I'll Be There For You
Love For Sale
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Work For The Working Man
Have A Nice Day
Keep The Faith

ENCORE:
Dry County
Wanted
In These Arms
Always

Videos on the Circle Tour blog in due course.

Chicago 1 set list

Bit ordinary for Bon Jovi in Chicago, but there is a second show tomorrow night.

Chicago, Illinois, USA - United Center - March 8, 2011
Blood on Blood
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
We Weren't Born to Follow
Lost Highway
Whole Lot of Leavin'
It's My Life
Runaway
The More Things Change
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover] / Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]
Lay Your Hands on Me [Richie Sambora on lead vocals]
(You Want To) Make a Memory
What Do You Got?
I'll Be There For You
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Start Me Up [Rolling Stones cover]
No Apologies
Have a Nice Day
Keep the Faith

ENCORE:
Wanted Dead or Alive
I Love This Town
Livin' on a Prayer

Check out Hath & Co's Circle Tour blog in due course for videos. I, of course, owe you some video showcases for previous shows, which I'll put up when I have a break today or tomorrow.

Damned, Dry County, Blaze, Pain, Faith, Turn the Page from Chicago

As promised, some choice videos of Bon Jovi's second night at Chicago's Soldier Field (July 31, 2010), and the final show of this North American leg.

IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG / DAMNED - The ever-emotional intro followed by a damn funky song that should be played more often. (Yes, pun so intended.)


DRY COUNTY - Jon sings an extra verse at the end! I can't really make out the words though. This is my favourite song so it'd be cool to get in Perth but given the 10:30 curfew it's probably unlikely.


BLAZE OF GLORY


SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN - I want this in Perth too but I'd settle for ANYTHING from These Days.


TURN THE PAGE (featuring Kid Rock)


And let's throw in this from the first night (July 30) too.

KEEP THE FAITH / SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL - Very cool... but am I the only person who thinks the orgy of fireworks going off on the screens look a bit odd?


The Circle Tour resumes in Mexico City on September 24, 2010.

Chicago night 2 set list + Blog contest winner + JBJ E! interview

This set isn't confirmed yet, as we were relying on second hand sources via Twitter, but Bon Jovi's final show of this North American leg seemed to demonstrate that the second night in a city is usually better than the first. There was no "Keep the Faith" but got "Happy Now", "Damned", "Blaze", "Something for the Pain", "Dry County" (reportedly with an additional verse) and Seger's "Turn the Page" again.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA - SOLDIER FIELD - JULY 31, 2010
Happy Now
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
Lost Highway
Blaze of Glory
It's My Life
Damned / (If Loving You is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right [Luther Ingram cover]
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
Lay Your Hands on Me [Richie Sambora on lead vocals]
Turn the Page [Bob Seger cover/ft. Kid Rock]
I'll Be There For You
Something for the Pain [acoustic]
Runaway
Work for the Working Man
Have a Nice Day
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night

ENCORE:
Dry County
Wanted Dead or Alive
I Love This Town
Livin' on a Prayer

Videos on the BJCT blog as they come, and I'll be showcasing some on Blame It On The Love too.

The winner of the Live Before You Die blog contest was also announced on BonJovi.com... Congratulations to Katie from Louisville. You can read her winning entry at this link.

And finally, Jon Bon Jovi caught up with E! prior to the Chicago concerts...


And that's it! No Bon Jovi gigs to follow for over a month. Whatever will we do with ourselves in that time? :P

Chicago night 1 set list + review

Bon Jovi has played the first of two nights in Chicago that will bring this leg of the Circle tour to a close. I am loath to criticise sets containing "Always", "Bed of Roses" and "Sympathy for the Devil", but I actually thought they might just have pulled out something more for Chicago. Maybe tomorrow.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA - SOLDIER FIELD - JULY 30, 2010
Blood on Blood
We Weren't Born To Follow
You Give Love A Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
Lost Highway
When We Were Beautiful
It's My Life
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
We Got It Going On
Bad Medicine / Old Time Rock and Roll [Bob Seger cover/ft. Kid Rock] /Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me [Richie Sambora on lead vocals]
Bed of Roses
Diamond Ring
I'll Be There For You
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night [acoustic]
Runaway
Work For The Working Man
Have A Nice Day
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Keep The Faith / Sympathy for The Devil [Rolling Stones cover]

ENCORE:
Always
Wanted Dead or Alive
Livin' On A Prayer

The BJCT blog should have videos up as they become available.

Anthony Kuzminski has reviewed the show on his blog The Screen Door.

For 150-minutes on Friday night, Bon Jovi fought a bloody fight on the concert stage where they did their best to keep the 55,000 in attendance occupied. I’d be lying to you if I said it was a resounding success. It wasn’t a flawless show, but it didn’t stop Bon Jovi from trying their damndest.

Read the full review at this link.

LH Magic Memory #3: Chicago 3rd show

Yesterday I said Kansas City was arguably the best set of the main North American leg. Of course it's all subjective but the third night in Chicago a couple of months earlier would certainly rival it. Check it out.

Chicago, Illinois, USA - United Center (26/2/08)
LOST HIGHWAY
YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME
RAISE YOUR HANDS
EVERYDAY
I'D DIE FOR YOU
JUST OLDER
I LOVE THIS TOWN
I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD w/ Jumpin' Jack Flash
WILD IS THE WIND
WHOLE LOT OF LEAVIN'
BORN TO BE MY BABY
KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR (Bob Dylan cover)
BLAZE OF GLORY (feat. Daughtry)
WE GOT IT GOING ON
IT'S MY LIFE
BAD MEDICINE w/ Shout
THESE DAYS (Richie)
LIVING IN SIN w/ Chapel of Love
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU
BED OF ROSES (This Left Feels Right)
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME
HAVE A NICE DAY
KEEP THE FAITH
LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

Encore:
BLOOD ON BLOOD
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
TWIST & SHOUT (Topnotes cover; better known versions by the Isley Brothers and the Beatles)
TREAT HER RIGHT (Roy Head cover)

I've highlighted the rarities and gems; the only real downside to this set (not including the TLFR version of "Roses" which was rectified later in the tour) is the fact that they finished on two covers. The show was almost three hours long. Throw in "I'd Die For You" and all those New Jersey songs; Richie singing something other than "There For You", and "Just Older" (best song on Crush) and you have one killer set for the diehard.

THESE DAYS with the King of Swing, Richie Sambora, on lead vocals


WILD IS THE WIND