Official August 13/15 Wantagh, NY, Nikon At Jones Beach Theater Meetup/Review Thread

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Welcome to the Official August 13 Wantagh, NY, Nikon At Jones Beach Theater Meetup/Review Thread. This thread is to discuss anything leading up to the show, as well as all reviews.

Let's hear it !!

[Momshell]

I'll definitely be at this one if anyone's up for a tailgate?! 😃

[ELVIS]

Nope...

You're on your own...

[Southpaw]

I'm going courtesy of a free ticket. At least they mixed up set list a bit. Haven't been to Jones Beach theatre in years. Party hearty!

[VAiN]

I'm going courtesy of a free ticket. At least they mixed up set list a bit. Haven't been to Jones Beach theatre in years. Party hearty!

I was there a few years ago and was shocked when I found out they don't sell beer or booze...

[Momshell]

Yup...was there a couple of weeks ago...no beer. Prepare to tailgate!

[Momshell]

Had a thought...they're playing 2 in a row at JB...think they'll change it up at all? On our way there now!

[Momshell]

Anybody else here?

[Momshell]

They are selling beer in the venue.

[BumBahDeeDah]

Holy shit!! If they do release a DVD of this tour, this might be the show!!

[BumBahDeeDah]

Holy shit!! If they do release a DVD of this tour, this might be the show!!

[Dan]

Have A Great Time,Momshell.

[chuckjitsu]

Anyone seen/read any "pro" reviews for the 8/15 show? I'm curious because I thought Dave sounded great, so if any review bitches about his vocals, I'd really like to know how he could've been better.

[78/84 guy]

Anyone seen/read any "pro" reviews for the 8/15 show? I'm curious because I thought Dave sounded great, so if any review bitches about his vocals, I'd really like to know how he could've been better.

He's still off on some stuff. Like Dance The Night Away. But I think it is senseless criticism for the most part. But on the other hand HE is the one doing it & doesn't have too. I swear when he hit's that upper register he is almost trying too rush the song or something. He did it on a few lines of Romeo also. No way he is as good as 07/08, but it's close too his best singing overall. It is what it is. Dave at 60 !!! Thought he was great on most everything else. 2 show's here ? Take the best of both and give us a god dam dvd already !!! I love the swagger and revealing stories he's been sharing. Great stuff !! Great tour.

[Dan]

I Have Not Seen Any Ladies Flash Their Boobies Yet.:P

[DavidLeeNatra]

I Have Not Seen Any Ladies Flash Their Boobies Yet.:P

they hang so low now that you just didn't see them...those cougars are wild as hell, I tell ya...

[BumBahDeeDah]

Dave was as good as 2007. Scale of one to ten, for what I think is his current ability, he was at least an 8.5. The Van Halens are so solid, it's almost as if it hinges on the singer. Dave was outstanding. Very little mushmouthing, no big "I forgot the fucking words!", conserved himself at the right times during songs, sang the songs that I was worried about pretty well (DTNA and In A Simple Rhyme were more than just passable) and didn't overdo the crazy tics and mannerisms we've grown to cringe at. I was really happy with tonight's show, and happy for them. Probably happier for myself since all my friends identify me as a Van Halen/David Lee Roth guy.

One negative: they have to bring back someone screaming "I bring you the mighty Van Halen!" At the beginning of the show.

[Southpaw]

Just a few observations...
The show was outstanding. When they came onstage Dave and Eddie approached each other, talked and pointed to each other in a "let's do this right" kind of way.

The show was definitely pro shot. If anyone has the knowledge to access film of this show get it and watch you will be pleased with the results.

Eddie was SPOT ON! You have to see to believe.

Dave was amazing! Yes his voice cracks and off tone at times but he sang all the lyrics with very few flub and seemed locked in. Quite a few impressive high kicks and a couple of splits. Pretty impressive for a 60 year old. His gaydar was on heightened alert. Can a person be so comfortable in their skin to perform like that and be straight? I don't care either way. He is a showman!

Zero interaction with Wolf. I thought that was strange.

I think Eddie likes performing with Dave because he really can concentrate on playing while Dave entertains the crowd. Sammy doesn't have that stage presence and Eddie is forced to help out with antics.

The backround vocals were good and help with Dave's vocal shortcomings.

Overall great show and happy I went. New York is a tough crowd to please but they came out determined and delivered. Place was packed and energized. Don't be surprised if they release a video of this show. Proud to be a Van Halen fan!

[Von Halen]

His gaydar was on heightened alert.

So, you're saying he spotted you in the crowd?

[BumBahDeeDah]

Zero interaction with Wolf. I thought that was strange.

ALMOST zero. But that might be even more evidence-besides the overall performance Dave put on- that the show was being shot for a live package. Dave knows that the camera and the people love to see him and Eddie mugging it up and interacting, so he might have been concentrating on that. Dave also dominated the video screens, too. CHARAZMA!

[78/84 guy]

ALMOST zero. But that might be even more evidence-besides the overall performance Dave put on- that the show was being shot for a live package. Dave knows that the camera and the people love to see him and Eddie mugging it up and interacting, so he might have been concentrating on that. Dave also dominated the video screens, too. CHARAZMA!

Live package ?? That might come out in 2025 !!

[Southpaw]

Kinda weird how that 6 word sentence was so compelling that you focus on that more than any observation in my post. I call it like I see it. Sorry to offend. Speaking of seeing, if Dave spotted me in the nosebleed section amongst the 10,000 other middle aged men playing air guitar I am honored!

[Angel]

Kinda weird how that 6 word sentence was so compelling that you focus on that more than any observation in my post. I call it like I see it. Sorry to offend. Speaking of seeing, if Dave spotted me in the nosebleed section amongst the 10,000 other middle aged men playing air guitar I am honored!

That 6 word sentence stood out like a sore thumb. Do you know what gaydar even is???

[Von Halen]

Kinda weird how that 6 word sentence was so compelling that you focus on that more than any observation in my post.

I focused on the rest too. It's just my nature to be a smartass.

Sorry to offend.

You really believe I'm that easily offended? No fucking way!

[DLR Bridge]

[chuckjitsu]

This is from the show comments section at the Links:

"I judge each show by Roth's performance because the rest of the band "brings it" every night from what i've seen on YouTube. Roth brought out his chest voice and classic screams alot tonight. I'm very critical of Roth but walked away very impressed with him tonight. So happy with his performance i might try to snag a ticket to Saturday night's show as well."

There you go. So if an admitted Dave skeptic can be won over by the quality of Dave's performance (to the point of wanting a second helping), why can't Dave catch a break in the "professional" reviews? The reviews, even the generally positive ones, seem to follow some variation of the "Van Halens great, Dave not so much" type stock reviews. I'm not saying there's a general anti Dave bias out there with the pro reviewers, but man, the guy can't seem to get the credit he deserves, especially when performing as well as he has for this tour.

[BumBahDeeDah]

They don't like Dave but wanna be him. I also think they don't really honestly review, but rehash what they believe or have their reviews and opinions about what they see in front of them by past bad performances and even the offstage drama. Some of these cunts are still calling it a "reunion tour".

[DLR Bridge]

Some of these cunts are still calling it a "reunion tour".

Seriously. He's been back in the fold for what, 8 years now?

Idiots.

[Southpaw]

Go to Newsday.Com to read a positive review of last night's show. Dave declares "this is one of our best shows of the season, as it should be" to the sold out show.

[78/84 guy]

But yeah. I was critical of Dave at the start of this tour. It looked like a repeat of 2012 for him. He has improved big time !! Still not 07/08.............but hey he was about 52 back then and had something too prove. After listening too a lot of other singers his age or older I will let him slide as long as I see the effort. And it's there. So is the swagger finally. So good for him. Look's like they are hitting their stride. They should extend the tour.

[DavidLeeNatra]

They should extend the tour.

to Europe...as Dave promised in the press conference from '07...but there is still the biggest idiot in sports running the band, I guess...

[DLR Bridge]

But yeah. I was critical of Dave at the start of this tour.

I was both critical and mortified. Had high hopes for the Kimmel thing and it was a train (nose) wreck for Dave. Thought sure the Ellen thing could have been a way to spread the good word and Dave was just, I dunno, phony and trying too hard. Thought Billboard performance was ok until I heard Dave doing his "the Van Halens this... the Van Halens that..." Press circus act. And as much as I know ya can't judge a performance by a cell phone vid, I was not thrilled at all with what I saw from the first show or two.

But dammit, if those mother f#%kers haven't been on absolute fire since show number three. Way to go boys. Way to go! Now, about that ADKOT follow up...

[chuckjitsu]

I was both critical and mortified. Had high hopes for the Kimmel thing and it was a train (nose) wreck for Dave. Thought sure the Ellen thing could have been a way to spread the good word and Dave was just, I dunno, phony and trying too hard. Thought Billboard performance was ok until I heard Dave doing his "the Van Halens this... the Van Halens that..." Press circus act. And as much as I know ya can't judge a performance by a cell phone vid, I was not thrilled at all with what I saw from the first show or two.

But dammit, if those mother f#%kers haven't been on absolute fire since show number three. Way to go boys. Way to go! Now, about that ADKOT follow up...

I was concerned as well after the less than stellar tv stuff from the spring. I'll have to check out those first couple of shows again- I don't remember Dave being that off, but my memory...

Now, about that ADKOT follow up...

With you there brother. My hope is that they take the momentum/good will from this tour and channel that in to a new album, and sooner rather than later. Sitting around for years at a time just doesn't cut it. Take a couple of three weeks off to rest or whatever, then get to work! If they timed it right, they could have a new album out by next summer and could hit the sheds again. Works for me!

Measured in Van Halen time, that's probably ridiculously optimistic, but a guy can dream, right?

[Whorehey]

But yeah. I was critical of Dave at the start of this tour. It looked like a repeat of 2012 for him. He has improved big time !! Still not 07/08.............but hey he was about 52 back then and had something too prove. After listening too a lot of other singers his age or older I will let him slide as long as I see the effort. And it's there. So is the swagger finally. So good for him. Look's like they are hitting their stride. They should extend the tour.

I was Speechless in Seattle...

Dude tutned it around big time.

[fraroc]

What I've noticed from last night's show is that Dave is trying to keep a little more in his range...Unfortunately Dance The Night Away, he's still trying to sing it WAY higher than he did on the record.

I personally think last night's show was a million times better than the 2/28/12 MSG show. Dave sounded better and looked way healthier, he wasn't using the pop star headset mic (I saw the last show with the headset mic, it really didn't work out for him.) He even did a few karate kicks and a small ground split, which for a 60 year old man, is impressive. Eddie was playing absolutely phenomenal, almost as if the 2004 debacle never happened. Compare this tour with some 2007-2008 Reunion tour footage and you'll notice that Wolf is way more comfortable on stage now. Alex's drumming was top notch, as always.

The stage show is a million times better than last tour. Last tour, all we had were lights, a multi-tiered drum riser, and a gigantic screen spanning the entire stage. This tour, we actually have a setup that looks really cool. the visuals on the lighted screen behind Al were VERY cool (and painfully bright, but hey, what are you gonna do?), the suns on the drum riser were a nice touch and I just think that the rounded lighting rig really works with the stage show they're putting on.

This tour is seriously what the ADKOT tour should have been. I enjoyed seeing them on that tour, but this tour just destroys the ADKOT tour. A perfect storm of Dirty Movies, Drop Dead Legs, and In A Simple Rhyme done live and Dave sounding pretty damn good.

[howie]

Caught them in London last week and it was the closest thing to 1981 from the get go - a full on "here it is" and they wailed till the end...it was fucking outstanding

[howie]

So for all of you naysayers, I'm already planning the second show (it was that good...)

[howie]

And props to WVH - he made this whole extravaganza possible..

Dude has the chops and promotes the deafness in the ears I've missed for so long - we owe him a lot...

[Momshell]

Love that the positivity is back here at the Army! I'm having an amazing time at all of these shows!!!

[chuckjitsu]

Love that the positivity is back here at the Army! I'm having an amazing time at all of these shows!!!

What's your assessment of Dave's vocals? He's sounded really good on the vids. I'd assume he'd sound good live too, but there is a difference between the vids and live for sure.