Bon Jovi Continues to Rock With ‘This House Is Not for Sale’ Tour

Aryeh Harris-Shapiro

Bon Jovi is proud of everything the band has accomplished in its 33 years of hard rocking anthems and ballads. The title of the group’s upcoming 14th studio album “This House Is Not for Sale,” speaks to the confidence in the worth of that legacy, and the U.S.  tour is as much a victory lap as it is a promotional effort.

The six-week, 20-date tour comes after a period of turmoil for Bon Jovi. After the last live circuit, 2013’s “Because We Can” tour, longtime guitarist Richie Sambora left the group. The split appeared to be amiable and Sambora was replaced by the band’s touring guitarist Phil X. What followed was a split between the New Jersey band and Mercury Records, and the release of an album called “Burning Bridges” Lead singer Jon Bon Jovi also attempted to buy the Buffalo Bills and has lobbied to get the band inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But now the spotlight is on the music. Bon Jovi managed to reconcile with Mercury parent company Universal Music Group, and “This House Is Not for Sale” will be released on Nov. 4.

Each ticket purchased comes with a physical copy of “This House Is Not for Sale.” The tour was also preceded by a series of “Tidal X: Bon Jovi” events, which saw the band performing the full album in full at intimate venues while explaining its context and the band’s recent struggles. The Oct. 20th show, at New York’s Barrymore Theatre, was also broadcast live. While the album doesn’t appear to be a return to the band’s “Slippery When Wet” heyday, it does promise the same slabs of catchy arena rock that Bon Jovi fans have long enjoyed.

Bon Jovi’s “This House Is Not for Sale” tour kicks off Feb. 8 and comes to LA’s Forum March 8 and NYC’s Madison Square Garden April 7-8.