I put off posting anything about these shows because... well, I didn't really want to watch any of the videos. I mean, Jon has sounded pretty painful for several years now unfortunately -- but it was Houston that triggered a string of "Last Man Standing" quotes (specifically "That boy don't lip sync").
But let's back it up a bit. Here were the set lists.
Houston, Texas, USA - April 26, 2022
Toyota Center
- Limitless
- The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
- You Give Love a Bad Name
- We Weren't Born to Follow
- It's My Life
- Beautiful Drug
- Born to Be My Baby
- This House Is Not For Sale
- Just Older
- Let it Rain
- Keep the Faith
- American Reckoning
- Whole Lot of Leavin'
- Do What You Can
- I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
- Lost Highway
- Roller Coaster
- Have a Nice Day
- Livin' on a Prayer
encore: - Wanted Dead or Alive
Dallas, Texas, USA - April 28, 2022
American Airlines Center
- Limitless
- The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
- You Give Love a Bad Name
- We Weren't Born to Follow
- It's My Life
- Beautiful Drug
- Born to Be My Baby
- This House Is Not For Sale
- Just Older
- Let It Rain
- Keep the Faith
- American Reckoning
- Whole Lot of Leavin'
- Do What You Can
- I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
- Lost Highway
- Roller Coaster
- Who Says You Can't Go Home
- Livin' on a Prayer
encore: - Wanted Dead or Alive
- Bad Medicine
"Have a Nice Day" was dumped after whatever happened at the previous show.
Videos from Houston
"Have a Nice Day". This was the song immediately before "Prayer" -- Jon pulls out of the end of the first line, turns around and makes an explosion gesture at his throat, which foreshadowed what came afterwards:
"Livin' on a Prayer". Jon's always been pretty awkward at miming when it's called upon for TV appearances -- but he does try to make a decent fist of not singing down to the front rows so it may not have been too obvious on the night, I dunno:
To be fair, I don't think "Prayer" has ever been 100% live -- they've played to a click track and sung over some playback since the 80s. But it really saddens me to see Jon struggling as much as he is.
Jon did come out after that "Prayer" debacle and sing "Wanted Dead or Alive" (i.e. not on playback), but the crowd took the whole first verse and Phil X's harmonies are turned up loud enough to drown out the lead vocal:
Videos from Dallas
"Livin' on a Prayer". He is singing it this time:
"Keep the Faith". Just a great song and a great showcase for the band. Despite not being the classic Bon Jovi lineup, this is still a good group of musicians and I think that has been forgotten amidst all the voice dramas:
One more show left for the 2022 Tour, unless they announce new dates...
Feel free to share your thoughts below. 😊
