REPORT: =vh = to headline australian festival april 20-21

[mh5150]

http://link.tapatalk.com/api/click?k...3fa90138fffaae

David Lee Roth, Billy Joel to headline Stone Music Festival
Kathy McCabe, National Music Writer
February 16, 2013 11:31PM

BILLY Joel and Van Halen will headline a surprise addition to the Australian festival calendar inspired by the '70s cult biker film Stone.

The vintage rockers will perform at the inaugural Stone Music Festival at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium over the April 20 and 21 weekend.

It will be a one-off event with hard rock supergroup Kings Of Chaos, Richie Ramone, Buckcherry, Lifehouse and Illumination Road also confirmed for the bill.

Major Australian rock acts, including some reunited 90s chart-toppers, are also expected to be named on the bill in the lead-up to tickets going on sale on Thursday.

Joel is renowned for his love of motorcycles which puts him in the frame for the event while Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth said the film had been discovered in America via “cinephiles” like Quentin Tarantino.

Van Halen have been courted by several Australian promoters to tour here in recent years.

The wonderfully eccentric Lee Roth, who lives in Tokyo with his Australian cattle dog Russell, said he had been encouraging his bandmates to tour outside of America.

“The Van Halens are watching from afar and if anything are just becoming aware that maybe he’s onto something,” Lee Roth said.

He said he was looking to “sharing some strong drink and bulls… stories” with their co-headliner Joel.

The promoters have also joined forces with fans of the 1974 film to recreate The Stone Run, a motorcycle ride down the F3 freeway which was held in 1999 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the movie.

Back then, about 34,000 mates and movie fans took part.

A single day ticket for the festival starts at $179 and a weekend pass at $319 and go on sale from noon on Thursday.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Added "report" to the title....

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Another one...

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainme...216-2ejud.html

Van Halen jump at chance of Anzac gig
February 17, 2013

Linda Morris
Features writer

IT'S BEEN off and on again for the past couple of years.

Now it's been confirmed - Van Halen, with their flamboyant frontman, David Lee Roth, is coming to Australia for the first time in a quarter of a century to headline a brand new weekend music festival.

The inaugural Stone Festival at Sydney's ANZ Stadium will also feature the original piano man, Billy Joel, the surviving Ramone, and high-profile Australian acts in what promoters bill as a once-in-a-lifetime music celebration timed for the Anzac Day weekend.

The two-day event will feature a commemorative motorcycle ride and hot rod show.

Although he is approaching 60, age has not wearied Roth. The lead singer ties back his long blond mane these days and has shed the skintight spandex tights.

He carries impact injuries from his robust stage act but continues to choreograph those aerobic leg split jumps.

''Nostalgia is the unrelaxed grip on the past because of the fear of the future,'' Roth said.

''It is an artist's sole responsibility to reflect their life - so whether you are a Beatle or an Andy Warhol or a music classic rocker, let's move ahead. If you are clinging to an old image it becomes kind of pathological, one-dimensional.''

Van Halen last toured Australia in 1998. This will be the first time the original line-up of the Van Halen brothers and Roth have graced these shores.

Their absence has not been for Roth's lack of interest. ''You'll have to ask the rhythm section [why]'', Roth quips.

He alludes to the acrimony that has mired Van Halen. ''They [the brothers] have approached their life from a much more traditional standpoint. They have families, they celebrate birthdays, they sleep regular hours more often than not; I'm truly a wanderer.''

Roth says Australian audiences can expect a playlist reflecting the band's heavy metal roots, its flamboyant pop tunes and tracks from the band's critically lauded 2012 album, A Different Kind of Truth.

''We are one of the few acts that could open for a Jimmy Buffett on one night and play with Metallica on the other and still move with alarming credibility.''

Roth remains unmarried and lives in Tokyo where he learns Japanese, sword play and Japanese fine arts.

''What I do have is groupies who are on their first and second divorces,'' he said. ''They email me in advance and describe exactly what they are going to be wearing.

''Yes, I do have issues.''

[ashstralia]

in other news, ice cream is cold.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

in other news, ice cream is cold.

If/when you find some others, link them here....

[VHscraps]

My first thought is - Is it a hoax ! ... Some DLR impersonator pulling a fast one on the Aussie media? Did the report in The Age say 'These days Roth ties his long blong hair in a ponytail'.

Really ... last pics I saw of him in Tokyo his hair was still short.

Well, whatever - maybe Dave's Rolling Stone interview last week was a way for him and Alex (the not-so-subtle mentions of regular contact) applying some pressure to Ed.

Is Wolfgang still on tour with some other band?

I'll belive it when it appears on the official VH website

[vaijuju]

what's about the festival's webside ?

seems good

http://www.stonemusicfest.com/membersarea/members/

[VAiN]

I'm getting flashbacks..

[78/84 guy]

Very cool shit......if it indeed happens.

Funny thing about VH these days. No matter what is said in print or on a contract, it's hard to believe it until WE see it wiith our naked steaming eye's ! Lol. I thought we were all getting a little carried away with thr Rolling Stone comments he had. Time will tell.

[clarathecarrot]

Ok I am corrected by the posters a...but it sure looked like to me at first DLR to headline...then VH to headline in the second article...I was like wich is it DLR or VH..?

Seems like they are promoting DLR and Billy Joel .

I was all grooving with thinking who DLR was going to line up as his band...lol..?

[clarathecarrot]

..and remember the last time they were set for Australia it all fell apart just weeks before the show I think the whole weekend concert was cancelled.

[mh5150]

VHND.COM just confirmed...

http://www.vhnd.com/2013/02/16/van-h...alia-in-april/

[78/84 guy]

Cool. Not to far off. Hope it's filmed so I can find a boot of it. Lol.

[ZahZoo]

Hmmm... well we'll just have to sit back and see what unfolds here...

[VHscraps]

I grant you, I may be too cynical, but a "stellar lineup of legendary international and Australian acts to be announced"?

Below those announced on the bill apart from Joel & VH?

Seems pretty close to the event ... to just be lining up legends etc.

[78/84 guy]

Well it's hard to find big crowds of people to play in front of these days. More acts will come if they get a call.

[BITEYOASS]

OK Eddie, you better not back out on the......



This song always pops up whenever I get a bonus.

[Droomer5150]

NO! F*CK NO! If this is true and they do end up playing...looks like I got screwed over again! I live in Perth and don't have the money to fly over. FFS. why. WHY!!!??

Soundwave Rev part 2

[PETE'S BROTHER]

I'm getting flashbacks..

no shit! i'm stayin' stateside this time

[PETE'S BROTHER]

..and remember the last time they were set for Australia it all fell apart just weeks before the show I think the whole weekend concert was cancelled.

we saw this show instead....

[vandeleur]

Fuck make this true ....

[sadaist]

i got a copy on my photobucket. Now it will have a friend with this new one.

[clarathecarrot]

we saw this show instead....

It is a good story for the book of making and good from a bad,around the old timers table when the topic is; well sonny let's gramps tell you about the time....

[VHscraps]

So, this Stone Festival - in celebration of a 1974 biker movie - names VH, Billy Joel and the Kings of Chaos (amongst others). As a premise for a festival, it seems ... novel! I have to keep checking it is not April 1st.

I just can't help being sceptical - even though VHND says it had the story confirmed by someone connected to the band.

In these days of instant info, maybe I am being impatient - but it is odd that not one of the acts, or their members - websites, twitter, facebook - makes any mention of this gig, which would seem to be a big deal - held in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Stadium - and there are some twitter posts in the last few hours from members of Kings of Chaos, but no one saying "hey dudes, we're playing an 83,000 stadium with the mighty VH".

Is this a promoter jumping the gun ... or ... something ... else ...

[FORD]

OK, now that I see the poster and see that it's a two day festival, it makes a little more sense. My first impulse was "what the fuck are Van Halen and Billy Joel doing on the same bill"??

Not that I don't like some of Billy's older stuff, but it definitely would be two different audiences there.

[Angel]

So, this Stone Festival - in celebration of a 1974 biker movie - names VH, Billy Joel and the Kings of Chaos (amongst others). As a premise for a festival, it seems ... novel! I have to keep checking it is not April 1st.

I just can't help being sceptical - even though VHND says it had the story confirmed by someone connected to the band.

In these days of instant info, maybe I am being impatient - but it is odd that not one of the acts, or their members - websites, twitter, facebook - makes any mention of this gig, which would seem to be a big deal - held in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Stadium - and there are some twitter posts in the last few hours from members of Kings of Chaos, but no one saying "hey dudes, we're playing an 83,000 stadium with the mighty VH".

Is this a promoter jumping the gun ... or ... something ... else ...

The Van Halen a Different Kind of Timeline FB page has posted it...

[VHscraps]

The Van Halen a Different Kind of Timeline FB page has posted it...

Would that be an alternate reality timeline!

[VHscraps]

OK, now that I see the poster and see that it's a two day festival, it makes a little more sense. My first impulse was "what the fuck are Van Halen and Billy Joel doing on the same bill"??

Not that I don't like some of Billy's older stuff, but it definitely would be two different audiences there.

This is an 83,000 seat stadium - probably holds more if need be when used for concerts. Are they really gonna sell out TWO days of this, with only two big name acts ...

Hopefully I am wrong, but I'm just not buying it at the moment.

[VHscraps]

OK, now that I see the poster and see that it's a two day festival, it makes a little more sense. My first impulse was "what the fuck are Van Halen and Billy Joel doing on the same bill"??

Not that I don't like some of Billy's older stuff, but it definitely would be two different audiences there.

Maybe my mind is befuddled, but I seem to remember reading an interview with Billy Joel back in the 80s, and I am pretty certain that he said Eddie Van Halen had met with him about the possibility of co-producing what became the album 5150 ...

[damngoodtimes]

this is two full months ahead of the Japan dates. I would actually feel better if it was closer to those dates; better chance of filling in a few more Aussie shows, maybe NZ and make it one trip.

This seems much more likely to be two separate deals.

I'd like to see enough activity where it becomes a real tour again and we start to see summer dates in the states. maybe...

[sadaist]

Not that I don't like some of Billy's older stuff, but it definitely would be two different audiences there.

True dat. I also dig me some Billy Joel. Not really his obscure stuff, but the 20 greatest hits are songs everyone pretty much knows & loves. Id pay to go see him.

[FORD]

I thought about going to that concert a few years back when he was touring with Elton John, and they were playing on each other's material and what not. Seemed like an interesting concept for a tour. Didn't end up going, but I got a bootleg of that tour somewhere......



Not sure if I could see Billy actually on stage with Van Halen though

[chi-town324]

if it is indeed true it's very good news... been some kind of week for the band huh?

[Zing!]

Hmmm... DLR talks at length in his book about 'foment.' Is that what he's doing right now?

Like anything else VH, I'll believe it when I see it...

[FORD]

if it is indeed true it's very good news... been some kind of week for the band huh?

Maybe someone in camp VH decided they had to put some "positive" news out there to contradict the negative impressions that a lot of folks took away from Dave's interview in Rolling Stone?

Hey, whatever works....... though if this turns out to be a false start too, I don't think they will have a single fan left in Australia. And I couldn't blame them.

[VHscraps]

Hmmm... DLR talks at length in his book about 'foment.' Is that what he's doing right now?

Like anything else VH, I'll believe it when I see it...

Well, the promoter's sure got a LOT of work to do to sell out an 83,000 capacity stadium for two nights in a row in approx. 8 weeks with such a glittering cast of big-draw acts - especially as the ONLY mention of this Festival (that has been set-up to celebrate an obscure 1974 biker movie ... I have to keep reminding myself) is in relation to this Van Halen / Billy Joel story today.

I tell you. This story is total hogwash.

[TJMKID]

This is two full months ahead of the Japan dates. I would actually feel better if it was closer to those dates; better chance of filling in a few more Aussie shows, maybe NZ and make it one trip.

That's why I'm suspecting this Stone Music Festival could turn out to be Soundwave Debacle Part 2. Why is VH flying all their concert gear 8,000 miles from CA to Australia just to play one show? Why not book several dates in the big cities --- they'd surely draw as much as the cringeworthy Fairy Cherone tour in '98, no ??

Be a nice way to fill up the time before packing it all up and shipping it 3,000 miles for the Japan gigs in late June. I mean, fuck --- make an Asia tour out of it and hit Singapore, Thailand, and China for some dates and rake in the cash! Eddie and Alex have never been to their mother's homeland in Indonesia so they could make some nostalgia family time visiting with Wolfie there.

[FORD]

Maybe Ac/Dc will let them borrow their stuff?

[TJMKID]

Maybe Ac/Dc will let them borrow their stuff?

Hard to say --- Angus called VH a "pop band" at the '84 Donington Festival so Ed probably hasn't forgiven him for that!

I'd bet it's going to be cheapest concert gear they can rent Down Under. Seems like a really huge expense to fly all your shit 8,000 miles for one gig. Madonna or U2 would do it because they know they'll be making $30 million+ at several shows before they leave the continent.

[twonabomber]

That's why I'm suspecting this Stone Music Festival could turn out to be Soundwave Debacle Part 2. Why is VH flying all their concert gear 8,000 miles from CA to Australia just to play one show? Why not book several dates in the big cities --- they'd surely draw as much as the cringeworthy Fairy Cherone tour in '98, no ??

I'm sure the Fender rep there can get a backline of 5150 III's and whatever Wolfgang is using. The main PA, monitors, stage, and lighting will be provided by the festival. All Ed's gotta bring is a few guitars and pedalboard, maybe Al's kit from last year...but yeah, going for one show doesn't make sense, then having to go back that way for the Japanese shows. Unless they camp out in Hawaii in between gigs.