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How much does the setlist mean to you?
I know this has been somewhat of a controversial topic and I am not trying to stir up shit, be negative or ungrateful or anything like that. I've seen VH 20 times since 2007 and spent thousands of dollars on this band between tickets and the cost of traveling. While that doesn't make my opinion more qualified than anyone else's, the point is that I'm a sincere fan and no one wants this thing to keep going and be great more than I do.
Alright let's say Van Halen decides to do another run of dates, maybe to make up the shows they had planned for the summer of 2012. At least one of the shows is in your hometown. If you knew, with 100% certainty, that the setlist would be the exact-same 90 minute setlist they did in Sydney, at every single show, would you pay to see that? Assume that AVH and WVH are laying down the rhythm section just fine, EVH is playing as well as he did in 2012, and Dave has made a full recovery and his voice is at or approaching 2007-08 quality.
I for one would not. If this were the reunion tour I would because I was just that damn excited about it. But the novelty of the reunion has worn off, plus I'm done with pulling stunts like that because it's just too damn expensive. Last year I knew they were mixing it up; if not for that I probably only would have hit a couple shows instead of the 7 shows I hit.
I would even be fine with a 110-120 minute show that I KNEW would be a copy of one of the 7 shows I saw in 2012. But 90 minutes, with nothing that I didn't already hear last year, with about 30 of those minutes devoted to solos, covers, and Dave talking before Ice Cream Man...not going to cut the mustard anymore.
Now I'd be shocked if this scenario actually happened, I'd have to think the 90 minute, no-deep-cut setlist was only because of the festival constraints. But I'd like to see how much the setlist does or does not factor into your decision to see the band at this point.
Here was the Sydney setlist for easy reference:
1. Unchained
2. Runnin' With the Devil
3. She's the Woman
4. Romeo Delight
5. Tattoo
6. Everybody Wants Some!!
7. Somebody Get Me a Doctor
8. China Town
9. (Oh) Pretty Woman
10. Drum Solo
11. You Really Got Me
12. Dance the Night Away
13. I'll Wait
14. Hot for Teacher
15. Beautiful Girls
16. Ice Cream Man
17. Panama
18. Guitar Solo
19. Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love
20. Jump
Alright let's say Van Halen decides to do another run of dates, maybe to make up the shows they had planned for the summer of 2012. At least one of the shows is in your hometown. If you knew, with 100% certainty, that the setlist would be the exact-same 90 minute setlist they did in Sydney, at every single show, would you pay to see that? Assume that AVH and WVH are laying down the rhythm section just fine, EVH is playing as well as he did in 2012, and Dave has made a full recovery and his voice is at or approaching 2007-08 quality.
I for one would not. If this were the reunion tour I would because I was just that damn excited about it. But the novelty of the reunion has worn off, plus I'm done with pulling stunts like that because it's just too damn expensive. Last year I knew they were mixing it up; if not for that I probably only would have hit a couple shows instead of the 7 shows I hit.
I would even be fine with a 110-120 minute show that I KNEW would be a copy of one of the 7 shows I saw in 2012. But 90 minutes, with nothing that I didn't already hear last year, with about 30 of those minutes devoted to solos, covers, and Dave talking before Ice Cream Man...not going to cut the mustard anymore.
Now I'd be shocked if this scenario actually happened, I'd have to think the 90 minute, no-deep-cut setlist was only because of the festival constraints. But I'd like to see how much the setlist does or does not factor into your decision to see the band at this point.
Here was the Sydney setlist for easy reference:
1. Unchained
2. Runnin' With the Devil
3. She's the Woman
4. Romeo Delight
5. Tattoo
6. Everybody Wants Some!!
7. Somebody Get Me a Doctor
8. China Town
9. (Oh) Pretty Woman
10. Drum Solo
11. You Really Got Me
12. Dance the Night Away
13. I'll Wait
14. Hot for Teacher
15. Beautiful Girls
16. Ice Cream Man
17. Panama
18. Guitar Solo
19. Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love
20. Jump
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