Jon Bon Jovi Reveals ‘The One Thing’ He Has Control Over On Upcoming Tour

Jon Bon Jovi is getting back on stage, and he’s revealing his exciting plans for his band’s upcoming tour.

In a new interview with Planet Rock, the 63-year-old rock legend opened up about Bon Jovi’s highly anticipated 2026 world tour, which kicks off in July with a string of sold-out shows at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. When asked if the band planned to perform “in the round,” Bon Jovi quickly shut it down, saying, “No. That much I think I know. I’ve seen a couple of diagrams [of the stage] that they’d like to go and build.”

What the frontman is controlling this time around, though, is the setlist. “The one thing that I am in control of, the only thing I’m in control of [is the setlist],” he said. Bon Jovi shared that he’s been rehearsing “two hours a day, four days a week,” experimenting with potential show structures.

READ MORE: Bon Jovi Shares New Update to 2026 Tour After 6-Year Tour Hiatus

Inspired by Metallica’s M72 tour — which features two-night stops with completely different setlists — Bon Jovi said he spoke with drummer Lars Ulrich about the concept. “He goes, ‘We have enough songs that it works,’” Bon Jovi recalled. “And your catalog… I went, ‘I’m digging that concept.’ So not that we’re gonna do that, but I have enough songs and enough hits, I could do two separate entire shows and have hits on both sides.”

The tour marks Bon Jovi’s return to large-scale touring after his 2022 vocal cord surgery — a recovery journey documented in Hulu’s acclaimed series Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story. His most recent album, Forever (Legendary Edition), dropped in October.

The upcoming global trek will take the band to major cities including London, Dublin, and Edinburgh — with more stops being added in New York and Wembley stadium due to high demand.

This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.