Official 3/5 Philadelphia Meetup/Review Thread

[Momshell]

Pretty Woman

[Momshell]

part of Eddie's solo/ATBL

[Momshell]

She's the Woman

[Momshell]

EWS

[DLR'sCock]

Lookie what I found on YouTube! Sounds great!!

WOW! The band is tight as hell of course, and Dave's voice sounds great! He sounds like he's getting stronger, more comfortable, and singing a bit smarter too, at least here in this clip it is the case. They are really hitting their stride. The band is tight and loose!! Awwww yeah!!

This tour and album is going to make some waves, I tell ya!!!

Great find Momshell!! My best friend was at this show tonight, 8th row!

[DLR'sCock]

I love how at the end of ICM Eddie introduces Dave to the audience.

[twonabomber]

Ummm...

Joe Thunder, LP?



He only owns this site, fer christsake.....

Thun-turd is closer to Pittsburgh than Philly...

[fryingdutchman]

I love that they're keeping "Full Bug" in the show...I hope it stays for Atlantic City!

Dave needs to bust out the fuckin' harmonica I say....

[Zing!]

I love how at the end of ICM Eddie introduces Dave to the audience.

Absolutely. Like music to my ears when Ed does that. And I agree that it definitely sounds like Dave's voice is improving with each show and he's getting a little more swagger in his step (if that's even possible). At any rate, he's found his groove on this tour - even throwing in little screams. By 5/19 the show should be a face melter.

[Zing!]

I agree! They were talking sequel last year.

Yep - Midnight Run. Apparently Va has never seen it. Always great to pull quotes from when a Meetup/Review thread is quiet. Unless you're easily offended and/or have no sense of humor. Haven't heard about a sequel - not sure that would be a good thing. Why mess with perfection? Plus Grodin looked about 90 the last time I saw him. Okay, back on topic - great show in Philly, even if the crowd mistook the show for an Eagles game. Besides, how can I argue with this guy. I don't know what the fuck he's talking about.

[DLR'sCock]

http://www.philly2philly.com/entertainment/entertainment_articles/2012/3/6/28620/van_halen_maintains_status_rock_legends_philadel

Van Halen maintains status as rock legends at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center
By Joe Vallee at 5:24 am on Tuesday March 6, 2012




If you’ve ever been to a Van Halen concert, you pretty much know what you’re going to get. A workmanlike effort from no matter who is behind the microphone, extended mind-blowing solos, some jokes combined with juvenile humor for good measure, and a two-hour barrage of classic rock staples from one of rock and roll’s best all-around discographies.

Let’s face it, whether you love or hate Van Halen, chances are everyone can name at least one song each from one of their original six album’s made with David Lee Roth from 1978 to 1984. For 34 years and multiple lead singer (and now bass player) changes, Van Halen has been in the stream of public consciousness. And Monday night’s performance at Wells Fargo Center was an exact reminder of why.

Set openers Kool & the Gang were arguably the band’s best ever opener, playing their funk classics and smooth grooves such as ‘Too Hot,’ ‘Hollywood Swinging,’ ‘Get Down On It,’ and their anthemic set closer ‘Celebration.’

Van Halen followed shortly after with set opener ‘Unchained’ and ‘Runnin’ With the Devil,’ with guitar god Eddie Van Halen tearing through both songs with reckless precision.

The band wasted very little time showcasing their new material from the month-old ‘A Different Kind of Truth.’ ‘She’s the Woman’ (an old club song dating back to the 70’s) and the album’s first single ‘Tattoo’ blended well next to concert favorites ‘Everybody Wants Some,’ ‘Somebody Get Me a Doctor,’ and ‘The Full Bug’ from 1982’s Diver Down, a rarity that until recently hasn’t seen the light of day since 1983’s US Festival.

Back where he properly belongs for his second consecutive tour is David Lee Roth, whose demeanor has gone from “Squirt me one more time and I'll F$%K your girlfriend” to more of a circus ringmaster. Maintaining an ear to ear grin for most of the hour and fifty minute set, the upbeat Roth threw in some slightly comedic tempo changes (a la James Brown, which the band jumped right on) as well as some candy to the audience during ‘Hot For Teacher.’ Roth even showed a video of his sheepdogs while playing the acoustic intro to ‘Ice Cream Man’ (That is Roth playing on the original recording by the way).

Despite abandoning the Garth Brooks-like head set that was used earlier in the tour, there were times when Roth appeared to be trying too hard vocally (mainly on ‘Dance the Night Away’) as he sang (as well as talked) his way through the set. Despite the occasional vocal shortcomings however, Roth held his own on new track ‘The Trouble With Never,’ ‘Beautiful Girls,’ ‘Panama,’ ‘Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,’ and set closer ‘Jump.’

Check out Aileen Bannon’s Exclusive Concert Photos on Facebook! And remember to ‘Like’ us!

As usual, older Van Halen sibling Van Halen (while keeping his trademark shades on for the ENTIRE show), is as steady as ever at 58 years of age. Van Halen’s kit (which included four bass drums converted into two gigantic ones) is much reminiscent of the one he used on the band’s initial 1978 tour. Alex effortlessly hammered his way through some of the sets heavier tracks like the new ‘Chinatown’ and ‘Hot for Teacher.’ The only issue was his signature drum solo, which unfortunately clocked in a little under three minutes.

There’s not much more that can be said about the genius of Eddie (and I know it sounds like I know these guys, but you can only use Van Halen SO many times in this article). I thought the point was reached where you had seen everything the 57 year-old guitarist had to offer. However, you’ll know that’s clearly not the case after you listen to ‘Truth.’ This is the best I’ve heard him play since the Van Halen III Tour in 1998, and it was pretty evident the entire show that he’s ecstatic to be out playing again. A ten-minute Eddie Van Halen solo is worth the price of admission alone. And as you’ll see below, he once again delivered



Eddie doesn’t move around quite like he used to after hip replacement surgery, but still made the occasional trips across the stage to interact with his son Wolfgang, who seems to have rejuvenated his father after joining the band. The 20-year old bassist, who looked out of sorts in his first go-round with the band in 2007, maintained a strong stage presence while surprisingly handling the departed Michael Anthony’s background vocals with occasional help from his dad. Originally, I was strongly against the decision to not bring back Anthony. However, after watching him on Monday night, Wolfgang seems to fit right in. While he has a little bit to go before he’s quite on par with Anthony’s vocal ability, you could make a strong case that if it weren’t for his influence,‘Truth’ may never have come to fruition.

Many will agree that one of several tour highlights thus far has been the diverse set list the band has chosen, and Monday’s show was no exception. Though some notable songs (‘Jamie’s Cryin’, ‘Little Guitars,’ ‘And the Cradle Will Rock’) were absent from the show, the band did a solid job of mixing in their new material with their hits as well as deep tracks (‘Girl Gone Bad,‘ ‘Hear About it Later’). In fact, some tracks are so deep that they haven’t been played since the Carter administration (‘Woman in Love’ from Van Halen II).

The energy the band maintained throughout the show was admirable. But then again, effort has never been an issue with Van Halen. Even in the band’s heyday, a practice was never missed on account of their notorious rock and roll lifestyle. And despite their history of excess, they never bit the heads off of doves, fought a heroin addiction, or found themselves (for the most part) on the wrong side of the law (No, Roth’s pot bust doesn’t count). The only thing that ever held Van Halen back was Van Halen themselves.

The biggest question that remains here is whether Roth and Eddie can get along for an extended period of time. You saw the awkward body language between Eddie and Sammy Hagar on the 2004 tour. But in the early stages of this trek, their seems to be goodwill towards all. Despite their volatile history, Roth and Eddie both realize at this stage of the game that they need each other to bring out the best in themselves. Eddie has survived cancer and (for now) his issues with alcohol. If he can coexist with Roth on even the most civil level, there’s no reason why Van Halen can’t keep this thing going for a little while longer.

After all, everybody loves a party. And despite being a bit older and not as flashy, Van Halen showed Monday that they can still blow almost any band off the stage on any given night. And now that they’ve got some momentum (as well as a bit of youth), they could actually make this ride last after years of lost time.

Set List

Unchained
Runnin' With the Devil
She's The Woman
The Full Bug
Tattoo
Everybody Wants Some!!
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
China Town
Hear About It Later
(Oh) Pretty Woman
Alex Van Halen Drum Solo
You Really Got Me
The Trouble with Never
Dance The Night Away
I'll Wait
Hot For Teacher
Women In Love
Girl Gone Bad
Beautiful Girls
Ice Cream Man
Panama
Eddie Van Halen Guitar Solo
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Jump

Contact Joe Vallee at jvallee@philly2philly.com

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Thun-turd is closer to Pittsburgh than Philly...

Yeah, Joe was from Butler, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh....

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Yep - Midnight Run. Apparently Va has never seen it. Always great to pull quotes from when a Meetup/Review thread is quiet. Unless you're easily offended and/or have no sense of humor. Haven't heard about a sequel - not sure that would be a good thing. Why mess with perfection? Plus Grodin looked about 90 the last time I saw him. Okay, back on topic - great show in Philly, even if the crowd mistook the show for an Eagles game. Besides, how can I argue with this guy. I don't know what the fuck he's talking about.

Was that what you were saying? Fuck man, had no idea..

[Zempi]

Was at the show. Camera died at the end but it was awesome. Saw them in 2007 (not in Philly) while I liked that show, I loved this one. So remininscent of the past and equally matched. The only thing is (and I am FROM Philly originally though have not lived for years) Philly crowds ARE strange. I thought there would have been alot of energy from the crowd-I thought the crowd was laid back. I understand just wanting to watch a good show. No one says one has to be up and about dancing every minute. But it really helps performers really be into the crowd too. However it was a Monday night.

Overall though, it was awesome. We had great seats and I love this band! I had also remembered how well Dave wore that long hair so well-compared to now. We all age..so that is life. But great performer. His voice was much better than 2007, but we all know he is not the best singer. But he is the best frontman for a rock band Going to the AC show. Psyched!

[Dave's PA Rental]

HAIL!

Holy shit, it just keeps getting better! Cock said it upthread that Dave is singing "smarter" and I completely agree. Thank god he ditched the headgear...now when he clears his throat it doesn't get broadcast over the PA. Wolfie is so friggin rock-solid, and I like that it seems like he is gaining more confidence each night. EVH seems more comfortable just being EVH than i've ever seen in my 30 years as a Van Halen fan...I wish I had the $ to go see them multiple times this tour...oh well. Hopefully we will get a DVD from one of the California homecoming shows...