Bon Jovi in Sydney 8/12/18

Bon Jovi ended the Australian leg of the This House Is Not For Sale Tour in Sydney. I'd spent the week in Sydney catching up with family and friends before going to the concert on Saturday night so it's been a busy few days, but I'm finally home in Perth and writing this blog post.

Here's what was played in Sydney:

Sydney, NSW, Australia - ANZ Stadium - December 8, 2018 set list

1. You Give Love a Bad Name
2. Raise Your Hands
3. Lost Highway
4. Who Says You Can't Go Home
5. This House is Not For Sale
6. Roller Coaster
7. We Weren't Born to Follow
8. We Don't Run
9. It's My Life
10. God Bless This Mess
11. Born to Be My Baby
12. Have a Nice Day
13. Keep the Faith
14. Bed of Roses
15. Lay Your Hands on Me
16. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
17. Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars
18. Livin' on a Prayer
    
    Encore #1: 
19. Bad Medicine
20. Wanted Dead or Alive
21. I'll Be There For You
    
    Encore #2: 
22. Blood on Blood
23. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night

Videos from Sydney

"Blood on Blood":

"Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" plus the final bows:

"Born to Be My Baby". Jon goes into the crowd and sings in front of the person filming:

"Livin' on a Prayer". Jon dips into the crowd for this one too:

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

My thoughts

Jon's vocal issues have been pretty well documented by fans over the last few years. But he sounded good by current standards, even if he was kind of running out of steam in the second encore (I'm still glad he did the second encore though). There are concerts where he's been pretty much rooted to the spot and clinging to the mic stand while sounding average, and that obviously doesn't make for a good show. In Sydney, however, he was moving around, working the crowd, and being a front man worth seeing. I had the best time, and I'm really glad I made the trip.

Plus, as I briefly mentioned in my belated Brisbane post, I got to meet Phil X in Sydney... I might do a separate blog post about that?

I'm also quite proud of the fact that the lead singer of my favourite band is one of the few Americans who can pronounce "Melbourne" and "Brisbane" correctly. 😛

Birds of Tokyo were great as the support act too. They're from Perth, by the way. Hopefully Bon Jovi can make it there next time. 😉

Were you at the show?

Where to next?

Bon Jovi have announced tour dates for Europe in May, June, and July 2019. The Sydney concert also coincided with a Runaway Tours trip, so there was a Q&A with Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres, where it was reportedly revealed a new album is slated for release in 2019.

Richie Sambora Sydney set list 26/2/14 + Purple Rain & Don't Change videos

Richie Sambora's headlining solo gig in Sydney last night brought some nice surprises. INXS drummer Jon Farriss joined him and the band on stage for "Don't Change", Orianthi sang "You Don't Wanna Know" from her latest album Heaven In This Hell, and the show finished with a huge cover of "Purple Rain".

Were you at the show?

Sydney, NSW, Australia - Enmore Theatre - February 26, 2014

1. Burn That Candle Down
2. Every Road Leads Home to You
3. Taking a Chance on the Wind
4. Bridge Over Troubled Water [Simon & Garfunkel cover] / I'll Be There For You
5. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi vox
6. Wanted Dead or Alive
7. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
8. Stranger In This Town
9. Lay Your Hands On Me
10. Seven Years Gone
11. Livin' on a Prayer

encore:
12. Don't Change [INXS cover] - ft Jon Farriss
13. It's My Life
14. These Days
15. Purple Rain [Prince cover]

Richie Sambora - INXS Jon Farriss - Orianthi - Don't Change (with a drum cameo from Today entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins before Jon enters the stage)


Richie Sambora and Orianthi - Purple Rain - Enmore Theatre Sydney 26-2-14

Richie Sambora / Orianthi: Don't Change + Voodoo Child at Sydney Soundwave

Richie Sambora and special guest Orianthi covered "Don't Change" by INXS and "Voodoo Child" by the Jimi Hendrix Experience at Soundwave in Sydney on February 23. Check out the videos.

Richie Sambora - Don't Change Sydney 23.02.2014


Richie Sambora - Voodoo Child Sydney 23.02.2014


Richie and Ori also sat down for an interview with the AU Review.

Interview: Richie Sambora and Orianthi at Soundwave Festival 2014 (Sydney)

Richie Sambora Soundwave Sydney set list 23/2/14

Richie Sambora performed at Sydney Olympic Park for the Soundwave Festival. Here's what was played:

Sydney, NSW, Australia - Olympic Park - February 23, 2014

1. Burn That Candle Down
2. Nowadays
3. Every Road Leads Home to You
4. Don't Change [INXS cover]
5. Wanted Dead or Alive
6. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
7. Livin' on a Prayer

Were you at Soundwave in Sydney?

Richie will play at Sydney's Enmore Theatre on February 26 before more Soundwave dates in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth to finish his Australian tour. Music Feeds will also be broadcasting a live set by Richie and Orianthi on February 25 at 5pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time.

Richie Sambora announces sidewaves in Sydney and Brisbane

Richie Sambora, who will be performing at the Soundwave in Australia has added two additional shows in Sydney and Brisbane:

• Thursday, February 20 - The Tivoli, Brisbane (18+, tickets from Ticketmaster)
• Wednesday, February 26 - Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Licenced/All Ages, tickets from Ticketek)

Tickets go on sale this Thursday, February 6 at 9am AEDT.

Check out the event page on Facebook.

The Soundwave Festival dates are as follows (Tickets still available from the Soundwave website):

• Saturday, 22nd February 2014 - RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
• Sunday, 23rd February 2014 - Olympic Park, Sydney
• Friday, 28th February 2014 - Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
• Saturday, 1st March 2014 - Arena Joondalup, Perth

Videos from Sydney Entertainment Centre

The set list raised a few eyebrows, but love it or hate it, Bon Jovi's December 15 concert at the Sydney Entertainment Centre produced more surprises than any other show on the Australian leg. Here are a few videos from that night. (Check out the full set list and a pro shot of Happy Xmas here).

Hallelujah


The Fighter


Thick As Thieves


When We Were Beautiful

EDIT: The audio track for When We Were Beautiful has been muted due to a copyright claim. Other live performances of the same song have also been muted... In fact, the only versions of When We Were Beautiful that seem to be available for listening on YouTube are the official video and Live on Letterman performance -- both on the VEVO channel.

These Days


Always


Love's the Only Rule


Blood on Blood

Bon Jovi Sydney set list 15/12/13 + Happy Xmas (War Is Over) video

Bon Jovi had plenty of surprises in store for what had been billed as a "special encore performance" in Sydney. Were you there?

Sydney, NSW, Australia - Sydney Entertainment Centre - December 15, 2013

1. When We Were Beautiful
2. Love's The Only Rule
3. You Give Love A Bad Name
4. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
5. Runaway
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. Work For The Working Man
9. Captain Crash and The Beauty Queen From Mars
10. Bad Medicine
11. Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen cover
12. The Fighter
13. Thick As Thieves
14. Blood On Blood
15. We Weren't Born To Follow
16. Who Says You Can't Go Home
17. Wanted Dead Or Alive
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
19. Livin' On A Prayer

encore 1:
20. I'll Be There For You
21. I Love This Town
22. Run Run Rudolph - Chuck Berry cover
23. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon & Yoko Ono cover

encore 2:
24. These Days
25. Always

Bon Jovi's YouTube channel uploaded a pro-shot video of Happy Xmas. The choir was made up of some members of the crew.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - December 15, 2013 - Sydney AU - #TheFinal7

Bon Jovi Sydney set list 14/12/13 + Old Time Rock n Roll ft Kid Rock

Bon Jovi headed to Sydney for the first of two shows in the city. Support act Kid Rock and his band joined Bon Jovi on stage for Old Time Rock 'n' Roll. Were you there?

Sydney, NSW, Australia - ANZ Stadium - December 14, 2013

1. That's What The Water Made Me
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
6. Old Time Rock n' Roll - Bob Seger cover (ft. Kid Rock)
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Goin' On
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. Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars
17. Born To Be My Baby
18. We Weren't Born To Follow
19. Who Says You Can't Go Home
20. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover (David Bryan vox)
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Wipe Out - The Surfaris cover (Tico Torres solo)
    / You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC cover (Phil X vox)
21. Bad Medicine
    / Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison cover
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover
encore:
22. In These Arms - David Bryan vox on 2nd verse
23. Wanted Dead Or Alive
24. Have A Nice Day
25. Livin' On A Prayer

It will be interesting to see if Bon Jovi has something special planned for the arena show at Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Here are some videos of "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll":

Old Time Rock and Roll Bon Jovi and Kid Rock


Bon Jovi and Kid Rock - Old Time Rock n Roll - this one captures the start

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my regular and casual readers (or Happy Holidays if you don't celebrate Christmas). Here's a video of Bon Jovi performing "Run, Run Rudolph" in Sydney on December 18 (their only Christmas song for 2010).


Hope everyone has a safe holiday season, wherever you are. It's not just about amassing material wealth or getting drunk this time of year. Be sure to take a moment to remember what's most important. :)

And because I've somehow managed to not showcase this song for Blame It On The Love's previous two Christmases, here is "R2-D2, We Wish You a Merry Christmas"... John Bongiovi's first professional recording at the tender age of 17.

More Sydney 3rd night videos

Here are some more cool videos from Bon Jovi's third Sydney show (December 19, 2010) and the final show of 2010.

Raise Your Hands - A high-energy opener that set the pace for the rest of the show.


I Believe - The first of several shocks of the night. Maybe it's my Oz bias, but Jon sounds much better than he did the last time they performed this, London/Twickenham 2008.


Something to Believe In - Jon made a better fist of the screaming "somethiiiiiiing" than I thought he ever could again. Incredible performance.


These Days - An unexpectedly awesome way to end the show and a passionate performance.


My other Sydney video posts:

1. Reclaiming The Circle in Sydney
2. Unplugged gems in Sydney
3. More Sydney 2nd night videos

Visit Hath's Circle Tour blog for more goodies... not just from Sydney, but the entire tour (so far).

More Sydney 2nd night videos

Here are some more videos from Bon Jovi's second Sydney show (December 18, 2010).

Last Man Standing - I'm not 100% sold on this as an opener, but I do like the song so I'm glad they brought it back on this tour.


Just Older + I'd Die For You - I've always wondered why "Just Older" wasn't a single. It's nice to get a Slippery When Wet album track too.


Homebound Train - This is a perfect Richie Sambora song, both vocally and... guitarily (yes, I just coined a word). Suits him much better than "Lay Your Hands on Me".


Lay Your Hands on Me - Jon on lead vocals, the way it was supposed to be. ;)


Wanted Dead or Alive - I don't showcase "Wanted" on the blog too often, since it's played at every show anyway, but this was basically a duet between the crowd and Richie. A few people have mentioned that David Bryan looks annoyed about Richie getting to sing the second verse. I don't think I'd read too much into his expression though.


In These Arms - If there was one "major" criticism about the three-night stand in Sydney, it would be that neither of the big ballads "Always" and "Bed of Roses" were played. They did at least get "In These Arms" though.

Videos: Unplugged gems in Sydney

Part two of the bumper Sydney videos showcase features songs from the acoustic section of the shows.

Make a Memory (Night #1: December 17, 2010)


Living in Sin / Chapel of Love (Night #2: December 18, 2010) - My favourite New Jersey song, even sans screams. But I'd like to see them use "Diamond Ring" for the outtro. I first suggested this back in 2008 and it's never happened, but you never know, one day Jon might read my pleas and give a damn. :P


Never Say Goodbye (Night #2: December 18, 2010)


Hallelujah (Night #3: December 19, 2010) - An special moment for Sydney in the summer rain.


What Do You Got (partial) + Squeeze Box (Night #3: December 19, 2010)


Part one is at this link, with plenty more videos to come. Remember, you can also check out Hath's Circle Tour blog to stay up to date with vids.

Videos: Reclaiming The Circle in Sydney

As you may have already heard/read, Bon Jovi's three-night stand in Sydney was out of this world from a diehard's perspective, especially the second and third nights. I've been falling over myself trying to figure out what to showcase and how to split the posts up. And given Bon Jovi finally realised that this is The Circle tour, I thought some songs from that album that haven't been played that often might be a good place to start.

Happy Now (Night #3: December 19, 2010)- One of the best songs from The Circle (IMHO of course). I loved it when they used to open shows with this but I think it still works later in the set.


Thorn In My Side (Night #3: December 19, 2010) - Not one of my favourites on the album, but I've always liked it live, especially the twin jam session between JBJ and Richie Sambora at the end... although you can tell which one is the truly comfortable guitarist, haha.


Love's the Only Rule (Night #2: December 18, 2010) - Of all The Circle tracks, this is the one that "grows" the most live. Should have been a single.


I'd Die For You (partial) + Superman Tonight (Night #2: December 18, 2010) - I still think "Superman" could have done better with smarter promotion, but I guess it's a dead horse now.


More videos to come. Also check out Hath's Circle Tour blog for vids.

Sydney 3 set list

After pulling out so many surprises last night, I was afraid that Bon Jovi was going to end the year with a fizzer instead of a bang. Looks like I was wrong. Among many other things, my mate Anthony, who'd made the trip from Perth to Sydney, got his wish of "I Believe" (which made its tour debut). "Who Says You Can't Go Home" (which I've said numerous times didn't chart in Australia) was NOT played... I think for the first time since it was released? Unfortunately it was replaced with "I Love This Town", a song I was hoping would be retired, but they played a lot of favourites so I can't complain too much.

Why can't every show be like Christmas? ;)

Sydney, Australia - Sydney Football Stadium - December 19, 2010
Raise Your Hands
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
We Weren't Born to Follow
I Believe
Thorn In My Side
Blaze of Glory
It's My Life
No Apologies
We Got It Goin' On
Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
Bad Medicine / Roadhouse Blues [The Doors cover]
Lay Your Hands on Me [Richie Sambora on lead vocals]
Hallelujah [Leonard Cohen cover]
What Do You Got?
Squeeze Box [The Who cover; acoustic]
Love for Sale
Happy Now
Something to Believe In
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
I Love This Town
Keep the Faith

ENCORE:
Dry County
Wanted Dead or Alive
Livin' on a Prayer
These Days

Hath's Circle Tour blog will have all the videos and media links, but there'll be plenty of Sydney videos right here, too. I was originally going to do one massive video post covering all three shows, but I think I may have to split them up now. ;)

Sydney 2 set list

Bon Jovi's second of three shows in Sydney and all I can say is... HOLY CRAP. If you're a diehard, this was the show to be at. Jon apparently took requests during the fan club Q&A session before the show, and my jaw is still on the floor hours later. Who was at the concert?

Hopefully the final Sydney show (also the last show of 2010 and the final concert under "The Circle Tour" name) will be great too. I'm kind of hoping for "Happy Now" as an opener again.

Sydney, Australia - Sydney Football Stadium - December 18, 2010
Last Man Standing
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
We Weren't Born to Follow
Just Older
I'd Die For You
Superman Tonight
It's My Life
No Apologies
We Got It Goin' On
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Rockin' All Over the World [John Fogerty cover]
Bad Medicine / Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
Homebound Train [Richie Sambora on lead vocals]
Living in Sin / Chapel of Love [The Dixie Cups cover]
Never Say Goodbye [acoustic]
Love For Sale
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night [acoustic]
Lay Your Hands on Me
Have a Nice Day
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Keep the Faith

ENCORE:
When We Were Beautiful
Wanted Dead or Alive [Richie Sambora on lead vocals for 2nd verse]
Livin' on a Prayer
Run Run Rudolph
In These Arms
Love's the Only Rule

Check Hath's Circle Tour blog for videos and links, but I assure you I'll be showcasing as much from this show as I can. Fingers crossed that there were some great diehard fan YouTubers at the gig. ;)

Sydney 1 set list

Bon Jovi played the first of three nights in Sydney tonight. Not a mindblowing set per se, but some nice inclusions, especially "These Days". Who was at the show?

Sydney, Australia - Sydney Football Stadium - December 17, 2010
Blood on Blood
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
Lost Highway
Whole Lot of Leavin'
In These Arms
It's My Life
No Apologies
We Got It Goin' On
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Start Me Up [Rolling Stones cover]
Bad Medicine / Old Time Rock 'n' Roll [Bob Seger cover]
Lay Your Hands on Me [Richie Sambora on lead vocals]
(You Want to) Make a Memory
I'll Be There For You
Something for the Pain [acoustic]
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night [acoustic]
Work for the Working Man
Have a Nice Day
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Keep the Faith

ENCORE:
These Days
Wanted Dead or Alive
Livin' on a Prayer

Check Hath's Circle Tour blog for videos and other related links as they come.

Bon Jovi also played a VIP concert at Star City Casino the night before. Jon even sported a South Sydney Rabbitohs (Russell Crowe's NRL team) jersey. Here is reportedly what they played:

Not Fade Away [Buddy Holly cover]
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
We Weren't Born to Follow
Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
When We Were Beautiful
It's My Life
Have a Nice Day
Keep the Faith
Wanted Dead or Alive
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Livin' on a Prayer
Bad Medicine / Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]

No Bon Jovi in Rock Hall, White House council, Aussie VIP gig

Bon Jovi will not be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, which should come as a surprise to absolutely no one who's a realist. ;)

The votes are in and next year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class will include Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Darlene Love and Dr. John. Leon Russell will be receive The Award For Musical Excellence (formerly the sideman category) and industry legends Jac Holzman and Art Rupe will both receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award. The ceremony will be held March 14 at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel and it will be broadcast live on Fuse.

Read the full article here.

Truth is, Bon Jovi most likely won't get into the Rock Hall anytime soon. Not to mention Dave Marsh is on the committee, and he hates Jon so I'm sure he'll be doing all he can until his final breath to stop our boys getting inducted. Diamond, Cooper and Waits have been eligible for much longer anyway (and until this year, I had thought Waits was already in there).

Meanwhile, Jon mentioned this in interviews he's done in Australia, but he has been appointed to President Obama's White House Council on Community Solutions:

President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Council for Community Solutions. The Council will provide advice to the President on the best ways to mobilize citizens, nonprofits, businesses and government to work more effectively together to solve specific community needs.

But obviously Jon can't be at the White House right now because he's in Australia. ;) The band performed as part of a VIP concert at Star City's Lyric Theater for Oprah's touring party, and just released a photo of Jon with Russell Crowe via Facebook and Twitter.