DLR @ SUMMERFEST headcount!

[Orgazmo]

Here is a pic from the show...

[Jimdandy]

Reviews from Smmerfest? Anybody?

[High Life Man]

Good times. But nothing new.

It was extemely packed...I'd say about 10,000. Made it tough to get beers and take a piss, but it was was fun nonetheless.

That's the list time I'll spend all day waiting for a DLR show. He's got to mix it up a bit more.

[kull70]

Summerfest

I went with my wife and two of her friends and was a bit disappointed.

To save time I'll break it down into easy to digest morsels:


Summerfest venue: Too crowded. Roth played at the Potowatomie Hard Rock stage which is fairly sizable. The problem was, the size of the crowd devoured the inadequate seating, it spilled out in every direction in a mass of humanity that had its origins somewhere in Canada! Note to Summerfest big wigs, if you are going to have Dave back, you are going to have to stick him in the Marcus ampitheatre because his act draws more people than starving flies to an open grave. It was beyond packed. Someone earlier in this thread had said 10,000 fans...that might be a fair estimate (though i think it is a bit conservative) but whatever the number it was far, far, far too many to for that venue.

Sound: We were so far back that we didn't need to do anything more than talk normally to hear each other speak. I could hear everything, but it sounded like your car stereo playing while you are in the garage working. Dave sounded really good, his often maligned singing voice held up very well and he certainly has not "lost it" like some sammy nut huggers love to claim.

Song list: Same old classic VH. Don't get me wrong, I love that stuff but am I alone in thinking that much of his solo stuff is just as fun to hear? Man, I would love to hear a few tunes from the DLR Band album, or throw in something rocking off of the Eat 'em and Smile album, like "Elephant Gun" or the song "It's Showtime" from A little ain't Enough.

Sammy reference: At one point Dave said he didn't want to disparage Sammy and then he made a reference about his manhood, or lack of it.

Van Halen reference: Only one that I can remember. He basically said soemthing about this next song was written when he and the VH brothers were young and how much they enjoyed it. No barbs or name calling at all.

The band: They sounded tight. Ray Luzier is just flat out good. Brian Young has Eddie's playing down pat. Not perfect but close enough. The new bassist was competent.. I like the sound of Lomenzo better but the new guy held it down well. I really wish Dave would just forget the VH reunion until something concrete materializes and focus on putting out good rock albums. Just do it. Get a band together, stick with 'em and put out an album or three with the same guys. Keep Luzier, keep Young and Toshi, hire Lomenzo and do us all a favor and put out a freakin' real rock album. I don't care what you call the band just give it a shot. The line-up they have is really talented musically and they have been playing together for long enough. He can always throw in 3 or 4 classic VH tunes into your live show to appease us fans. I am just tired of waiting for VH to get back together. I for one really enjoy his solo stuff. He has been doing essentially the same show since 1998. I have seen him on each of these tours. back in 2000 I was really disappointed that he didn't play even one song from the DLR album and that was the year it was released! What the hell?

Dave: From our distant vantage point it was evident that Dave was not leaping around. He was wearing some white and black striped shirt with a short haircut. He was witty and funny and I still really dig the spinning baton bit. The crowd always eats that up. He did well as usual.

Overall: Not as fun as his House of Blues show last year but still a great time. If you want to be able to receive the full effect of a concert at these open air shows, then come early...REAL EARLY. We got their a full 3 hours early and could get no closer than about 75 yards, just behind the elevated bleachers. Several thousand people had come even earlier than we did and sat through some pretty decent opening acts to be able to see the show. This show was slightly better than the Sam and Dave tour I saw at Tinley Park.

My opinion: Play more solo era stuff! Record new material! Your DLR album was killer man! Everyone I know that has heard it has asked for a copy! Start a new band! make new music!!! Make the VH bros. come to you!

[Jamocha Joe]

I was wondering why the lack of stories from Summerfest. I thought everyone sold their computers for gas, were in cheese rehab or jail. Sorry to hear it disappointed. Especially since expectations were really high.

I'm glad I went to the July 1 show at Ribfest instead. I got there 9 minutes before the concert started and got a prime spot for sight and sound.

[Orgazmo]

You guy's are right it's pretty much the same set of songs that he's been doing since 1999. There were a few new twists though, he did Jamie's Cryin' which I hadn't heard in the previous set lists. He also had a cool bluesy version of Just A Gigolo with just him & BY. I especially liked his comments before the song; he's like, I've been coming here for 21 years. He then looked at a girl in the crowd & said how old are you, 21? Is that your mom behind you, mom did I fu** you??

Even though I was a little bored at times since I saw him in '02 & '03, it still was a great show.

[DlocRoth]

Sounds like the show rocked....

But y'all are pissed cuz your vantage point sucked.

[Jimdandy]

I'm going to say that these fests are not equipped and /or allowed to let a guy like Dave turn it up to 11.

Agree that he could shake up the set list a little. Not much to. HFT to open is perfect. He will always have to do Panama, Jump, Cali Girls, Just A Gigilo, and Ice Cream Man. Love it when he does Mean Streets, Dance the Night Away, Unchained and ...And the Cradle Will Rock. Wait, thats just about the whole show. When he was touring with that other guy I know he did Atomic Punk and Little Dreamer in Tinley Park, that was awesome. How about House of Pain, Little Guitars, Light Up the Sky, Drop Dead Legs, Tobacco Road or Thug Pop.He doesn't need to come up with any new material, plenty to chose from.

[Orgazmo]

At least he removed Shoo Bop. I'd like to see him add Let It All Hang Out, Little Texas, or even Bump N' Grind.

[CVH Rulz]

I think as long as he is only doing one-offs here and there and these mini-tours, we will not see any major shake-ups in the song list.

I'm sure that's why he'll wear the same few stage outfits over and over too. Just packs a bag and goes wherever. Not like the old days of the big tour productions.

[VonHalen]

im in

[VonHalen]

lol

[Jochen]

Sorry to bring up an old topic, but I was at the show, and I was wondering if anyone happened to tape it?