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A Van Halen concert is all about the adrenaline.
For over a quarter of a century, the Los Angeles quartet has been hosting large-scale celebrations centered around the release that thunderous metal can offer, all the while avoiding the ponderous seriousness that plagues too many in its genre. Van Halen always has been an unapologetic party band.
And a performance in front of 14,722 at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center on Thursday night had all the ingredients the band has been bringing to shows since the 1970s. Actions that would seem clichéd in another act are forgivable with Van Halen, for they set the prototype way back when.
Explosively virtuosic guitar solos by Eddie Van Halen? Check. Brother Alex's four-limbed percussive onslaught? Yep. Chugging and spewing from a fifth of Jack Daniels? Decorating the mike stands with bras cast up from the crowd? Populist glad-handing that would make a politician proud? They did it all.
After a lengthy layoff, the band has reunited for this tour. There are those who wish it were a reunion of the original foursome that featured wild man David Lee Roth on vocals. Instead, Sammy Hagar — who replaced Roth in 1986 — is back in the fold.
But a big surprise in Thursday's show was how well Hagar has adjusted to the role. Surrounded by musicians who are among the most respected in their genre, Hagar correctly judged that what the band really needs is an affable host, an everyman party monster who can work the rim of the band's elliptical stage and make everyone in the crowd feel like an active contributor to the vibe.
And what a vibe it was. The mostly male crowd stood throughout the evening, pumping fists and singing along with material from throughout the band's career.
Yes, Hagar has tossed aside his discontent with singing songs made famous with Roth's rough-edged police siren of a voice. Opening with "Jump," the band also dug up "Unchained," "Panama" and a pair of songs from the band's 1978 debut that still epitomize their sound, "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" and their cover of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me."
A pair of acoustic tunes by Hagar was a nice mid-evening respite from the roof-rattling rock, but the most memorable moment came when Eddie Van Halen stood at center stage and showed off his skills on a lengthy unaccompanied solo, reminding everyone that — while Hagar may be the host of this party — he's the one setting up the shots of adrenaline.
FUCKWADS!...15000! AHAHAHAHAAAAA
For over a quarter of a century, the Los Angeles quartet has been hosting large-scale celebrations centered around the release that thunderous metal can offer, all the while avoiding the ponderous seriousness that plagues too many in its genre. Van Halen always has been an unapologetic party band.
And a performance in front of 14,722 at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center on Thursday night had all the ingredients the band has been bringing to shows since the 1970s. Actions that would seem clichéd in another act are forgivable with Van Halen, for they set the prototype way back when.
Explosively virtuosic guitar solos by Eddie Van Halen? Check. Brother Alex's four-limbed percussive onslaught? Yep. Chugging and spewing from a fifth of Jack Daniels? Decorating the mike stands with bras cast up from the crowd? Populist glad-handing that would make a politician proud? They did it all.
After a lengthy layoff, the band has reunited for this tour. There are those who wish it were a reunion of the original foursome that featured wild man David Lee Roth on vocals. Instead, Sammy Hagar — who replaced Roth in 1986 — is back in the fold.
But a big surprise in Thursday's show was how well Hagar has adjusted to the role. Surrounded by musicians who are among the most respected in their genre, Hagar correctly judged that what the band really needs is an affable host, an everyman party monster who can work the rim of the band's elliptical stage and make everyone in the crowd feel like an active contributor to the vibe.
And what a vibe it was. The mostly male crowd stood throughout the evening, pumping fists and singing along with material from throughout the band's career.
Yes, Hagar has tossed aside his discontent with singing songs made famous with Roth's rough-edged police siren of a voice. Opening with "Jump," the band also dug up "Unchained," "Panama" and a pair of songs from the band's 1978 debut that still epitomize their sound, "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" and their cover of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me."
A pair of acoustic tunes by Hagar was a nice mid-evening respite from the roof-rattling rock, but the most memorable moment came when Eddie Van Halen stood at center stage and showed off his skills on a lengthy unaccompanied solo, reminding everyone that — while Hagar may be the host of this party — he's the one setting up the shots of adrenaline.
FUCKWADS!...15000! AHAHAHAHAAAAA
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