Review by Mike Brunn
Growing up in the NYC area, I’ve been a Bon Jovi fan before there was a band called Bon Jovi. In 1983 my local radio station used to play the song “Runaway” from this unsigned artist and I instantly became a fan. Over the decades I’d see the band a dozen times in concert. In 2022 when Jon was clearly struggling vocally I figured I had seen the last of Bon Jovi in concert. I was okay with that, as Jon owed the fans nothing.
Fast forward two years and Bon Jovi released 2024’s excellent documentary “Thank You, Goodnight”. Jon was very open about his vocal issues and how he’d never get back on stage if he felt he couldn’t deliver. I really respected that. In today’s era so many artists get on stage and perform with tracks, lip synch, etc. Jon was clearly not looking to go that route.
Then in October 2025 Bon Jovi announced that they would be playing a series of shows at the legendary Madison Square Garden. I wondered if Jon would be able to pull it off, but I remembered his comments in the documentary. I spoke with my wife and kids and we all decided to go (it would be my kids first time ever seeing Bon Jovi in concert). We purchased tickets to night number 4!
Leading up to the show we were excited, but I personally still had thoughts in the back of my mind, “can Jon really do it?” I’d soon know the answer. July 14, 2026 was finally here and it was my time to see Bon Jovi for the first time in over 15 years! During the first three MSG shows I purposefully stayed away from YouTube videos, as I wanted to experience these performances “first hand”, so walking into MSG that night I still didn’t know what to expect. I will also add it was my first time seeing Bon Jovi without Richie Sambora.
Opening with The Beatles classic “Little Help From My Friends” was fitting, with Jon’s first words sung that night being “What would you do if I sang out of tune”. The moment was not lost on me. Of course the answer was, “I get by with a little help from my friends”. It wasn’t the first time I saw Bon Jovi perform this song in concert (that would have been 1995), but this was a very fitting opening to the concert.
For the next two hours and twenty minutes Jon Bon Jovi and the boys would rip through 22 songs, both old and new. Along side classics such as “You Give Love A Bad Name”, “Livin’ On A Prayer”, “Born To Be My Baby” and “Wanted Dead Or Alive” were newer songs such as “Legendary”, “Beautiful Drug”, “Living Proof” and “Red, White and Jersey”. The fans in attendance were having a great time, and it was clear that the band was as well! My biggest “complaint” about the setlist that night was that the band inexcusably did not perform the aforementioned “Runaway”. That’s a travesty.
I’ve seen comments online saying “Jon sounds as good as ever” and I’ve seen comments saying, “Jon needs to retire”. Being there in person I can honestly say I don’t think either comment is accurate. Was Jon was good as he was in the 80s and 90s, clearly not. Age catches up to all of us and Jon is no exception. But it’s clear Jon has worked hard to get back on stage, and at times I thought he sounded really good. The band is tuned down, which helps makes singing these songs a little easier, and they also help him sing the high parts in some of the songs. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion. I’d say the only song that I felt didn’t come across well vocally was “Always”. It was the last song of the night, and it’s a tough one to sing to begin with, so I’m not completely surprised.
I also want to take a moment to give props to Phil X. Yes at times I did miss seeing Richie on the stage, but more times than not I never even thought about it. That surprised me. Phil X filled those shoes as good as anyone can which is no surprise, he’s a great talent. It was also amazing seeing David Bryan basically have the same energy on stage as he did back in 1987. The man seems to not have aged one day.
As the show ended I felt goose bumps up and down my arms. I was watching Jon smile ear to ear and I could feel the pride he felt being back on the stage. Was it perfect, no. But was it a good time? 100% yes! And at the end of the day that’s what rock and roll music is about. If ticket prices weren’t so high, I’d gladly go again. But, more than anything I’m happy for Jon and the boys that the 2022 shows weren’t their last.
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