Van Halen in LA (both nights)

[The Mighty TB]

I caught both shows in LA at the Staples Arena this week. Last Fridays (6/1) from floor section 3 (Eddie's side) 3rd row isle and last nights (6/9) same section, same isle seat only 6th row. My seats both shows were outstanding and I had completely unobstructed views of everything onstage. I picked up the 6/1 ticket about a week before the show on TM for face value, so anyone going to the remaining shows, check TM the last few days before shows as they release excellent seats in the last few days.

Due to personal circumstances, I came close to not making the 1st LA show and it took a while to get into it and enjoy it for what it was.

That said, it was a very solid show. The band, especially Dave seemed really focused on nailing the songs. Eddie was pretty much spot on all night. Ditto for Wolfgang. I don't miss original bass player Michael Anthony anymore. From my vantage point only about 10 feet from the front stage rail, it was pretty tough to see Alex behind his massive kit but the guy was rock solid the entire night. The sound was really good up front and since I was on Eddie's side, I got a lot of his wall of amps sound over the vox.

Roth had some ups and downs from song to song though. For whatever reasons, he keeps trying to sing some songs way beyond his range and at times it's just painful to hear. Fortunately, this show was probably one of his better nights and he did have a lot of energy the entire set. I thought Dave was pretty rough on Somebody Get Me A Doctor and it seemed like he was completely off-key between playing guitar and singing on the first half of Ice Cream Man up to when the band kicks in. It was interesting to watch Dave go behind the drum riser a few times in-between songs and stick large orange, lemon or lime wedges in his mouth which must be something for his throat - I dunno. All said though, while Dave was a much better singer at the '07 show I saw, he was much more "Diamond Dave" this show for better (some really funny improvs during several songs) or worse (the long, rambling dog training rap before Ice Cream Man put everyone on their asses).

We got what has quickly become the "A" set, which is Romeo Delight and Cradle Will Rock as the songs that are rotated in and out of the set with The Full Bug and up until recently Girl Gone Bad or Outta Love Again on alternating shows.

I will say the one disappointment was the crowd. It may be because Staples Arena is such a big and tall arena, it just swallows sound like nothing else, but there really wasn't too many instances where the crowd really made itself heard. Dance The Night Away got one of the biggest roar of approval when the band launched into it.

For last night's show, I caught more of opener Kool and The Gang's set which was mildly entertaining. Gene Simmons and his wife and Valery Bertinelli (not together) came in and sat just a few rows next to one of my friends near the soundboard just before the show started which got a big rise out of the crowd.

Crowd was much more into the show then last weeks', especially the opening number "Unchained." If the Kings had won the cup last night, it would have been insane. Kind of disappointed that the 2nd night's set was identical to last Fridays set (they've usually been swapping out 2 songs every other show) but the first 2/3rds of the show was significantly stronger on all counts than last week's show. Dave especially was excellent up through the first 2/3rds of the set, probably sang as good most of the show as the one 2007 show I saw. He was also more "on" with the bits/raps except for the doggy story preface to Ice Cream Man which was even more rambling than last week's bit and he didn't start to crap out vocally until about Hot For Teacher onwards. Then Dave started running out of gas and was fairly rough on several of the remaining songs. Funny moment with Eddie around Ice Cream Man, he's motioning and mouthing something about how strong the pot smell is from onstage from
up front and before his solo he said something about it was so potent, he was fucked up from it.

The strangest thing about the audience up front was people would come right up to the front from the back of the floor and take pictures (or bug anyone around them to do it for them) of themselves standing in the isle mugging to their camera with the band playing right behind them onstage. Security up front was non-existent the first show. A couple times some goof would tap me as I'm focused watching the show asking me to take a photo of him and his girlfriend or buddy with the band as a backdrop. By mid show, one of the ushers was taking pictures like that for anyone who'd come up to the front!

I'm on the fence about seeing the show almost in my neighborhood in Anaheim Tuesday. If I can land a great seat like I did for the LA shows in the next few days, I'll probably go as I really want to hear The Full Bug and maybe Bottom's Up which was played last week for the first time since '83. But the money and effort for maybe 2 different songs makes it kinda iffy at best.

I viddy'd about 1/2 of the songs throughout the set which I'm uploading to YouTube through the day. Basically shot from the exact same position in the same quality as the bunch I filmed from last week's show. For some reason, my camera's autofocus when shooting video has a real hard time with the lighting onstage.

This is my YouTube channel with clips from both shows:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Bacardicus?feature=watch

T.B.

[CG]

I caught both shows in LA at the Staples Arena this week.  Last Fridays (6/1) from floor section 3 (Eddie's side) 3rd row isle and last nights (6/9) same section, same isle seat only 6th row. My seats both shows were outstanding and I had completely unobstructed views of everything onstage. I picked up the 6/1 ticket about a week before the show on TM for face value, so anyone going to the remaining shows, check TM the last few days before shows as they release excellent seats in the last few days.
Due to personal circumstances, I came close to not making the 1st LA show and it took a while to get into it and enjoy it for what it was.
That said, it was a very solid show. The band, especially Dave seemed really focused on nailing the songs. Eddie was pretty much spot on all night. Ditto for Wolfgang. I don't miss original bass player Michael Anthony anymore. From my vantage point only about 10 feet from the front stage rail, it was pretty tough to see Alex behind his massive kit but the guy was rock solid the entire night. The sound was really good up front and since I was on Eddie's side, I got a lot of his wall of amps sound over the vox.
Roth had some ups and downs from song to song though. For whatever reasons, he keeps trying to sing some songs way beyond his range and at times it's just painful to hear. Fortunately, this show was probably one of his better nights and he did have a lot of energy the entire set. I thought Dave was pretty rough on Somebody Get Me A Doctor and it seemed like he was completely off-key between playing guitar and singing on the first half of Ice Cream Man up to when the band kicks in. It was interesting to watch Dave go behind the drum riser a few times in-between songs and stick large orange, lemon or lime wedges in his mouth which must be something for his throat - I dunno. All said though, while Dave was a much better singer at the '07 show I saw, he was much more "Diamond Dave" this show for better (some really funny improvs during several songs) or worse (the long, rambling dog training rap before Ice Cream Man put everyone on their asses).
We got what has quickly become the "A" set, which is Romeo Delight and Cradle Will Rock as the songs that are rotated in and out of the set with The Full Bug and up until recently Girl Gone Bad or Outta Love Again on alternating shows.
I will say the one disappointment was the crowd. It may be because Staples Arena is such a big and tall arena, it just swallows sound like nothing else, but there really wasn't too many instances where the crowd really made itself heard. Dance The Night Away got one of the biggest roar of approval when the band launched into it.
For last night's show, I caught more of opener Kool and The Gang's set which was mildly entertaining.  Gene Simmons and his wife and Valery Bertinelli (not together) came in and sat just a few rows next to one of my friends near the soundboard just before the show started which got a big rise out of the crowd.
Crowd was much more into the show then last weeks', especially the opening number "Unchained."  If the Kings had won the cup last night, it would have been insane.  Kind of disappointed that the 2nd night's set was identical to last Fridays set (they've usually been swapping out 2 songs every other show) but the first 2/3rds of the show was significantly stronger on all counts than last week's show. Dave especially was excellent up through the first 2/3rds of the set, probably sang as good most of the show as the one 2007 show I saw. He was also more "on" with the bits/raps except for the doggy story preface to Ice Cream Man which was even more rambling than last week's bit and he didn't start to crap out vocally until about Hot For Teacher onwards. Then Dave started running out of gas and was fairly rough on several of the remaining songs. Funny moment with Eddie around Ice Cream Man, he's motioning and mouthing something about how strong the pot smell is from onstage from
up front and before his solo he said something about it was so potent, he was fucked up from it.
The strangest thing about the audience up front was people would come right up to the front from the back of the floor and take pictures (or bug anyone around them to do it for them) of themselves standing in the isle mugging to their camera with the band playing right behind them onstage. Security up front was non-existent the first show. A couple times some goof would tap me as I'm focused watching the show asking me to take a photo of him and his girlfriend or buddy with the band as a backdrop. By mid show, one of the ushers was taking pictures like that for anyone who'd come up to the front!
I'm on the fence about seeing the show almost in my neighborhood in Anaheim Tuesday. If I can land a great seat like I did for the LA shows in the next few days, I'll probably go as I really want to hear The Full Bug and maybe Bottom's Up which was played last week for the first time since '83. But the money and effort for maybe 2 different songs makes it kinda iffy at best.
I viddy'd about 1/2 of the songs throughout the set which I'm uploading to YouTube through the day. Basically shot from the exact same position in the same quality as the bunch I filmed from last week's show. For some reason, my camera's autofocus when shooting video has a real hard time with the lighting onstage.
This is my YouTube channel with clips from both shows:http://www.youtube.com/user/Bacardicus?feature=watch
T.B.

How did Dave sound on Chinatown? From every clip I've watched so far,
he fucks up that song every night. It is just way out of his range.

[The Mighty TB]

CG wrote:

(snip)

Post by CG
How did Dave sound on Chinatown? From every clip I've watched so far,
he fucks up that song every night. It is just way out of his range.

Judging from clips I've seen from other shows this tour, he did comparatively alright on the song both shows but it's clearly beyond his capabilities to sing 100% spot on even when he has a great night. That song is really more a showcase for the band jamming a fast tune, Dave's vox pretty much get drowned in the mix. It is probably along with "The Trouble With Never" my least favorite songs they're playing on this tour, there's so many better songs they could slot in from the new album.

T.B.

[xxx]

if i recall, dave screwed up and/or missed a whole line or 2 of chinatown the 2 times i saw them in chicago. i totally agree about them not playing their best songs off the new album. don't necessarily agree about the "diamond dave" thing, especially when he throws hissies about the fans/blowers on the stage- the 2 times i saw them, it made him look like an asshole.
the rest of the schtick is hit and miss. sometimes it's too drawn out and he rambles. i like hearing the old songs, though.

[IGB]

Post by The Mighty TB
I caught both shows in LA at the Staples Arena this week. Last Fridays (6/1) from floor section 3 (Eddie's side) 3rd row isle and last nights (6/9) same section, same isle seat only 6th row. My seats both shows were outstanding and I had completely unobstructed views of everything onstage. I picked up the 6/1 ticket about a week before the show on TM for face value, so anyone going to the remaining shows, check TM the last few days before shows as they release excellent seats in the last few days.
Due to personal circumstances, I came close to not making the 1st LA show and it took a while to get into it and enjoy it for what it was.
That said, it was a very solid show. The band, especially Dave seemed really focused on nailing the songs. Eddie was pretty much spot on all night. Ditto for Wolfgang. I don't miss original bass player Michael Anthony anymore. From my vantage point only about 10 feet from the front stage rail, it was pretty tough to see Alex behind his massive kit but the guy was rock solid the entire night. The sound was really good up front and since I was on Eddie's side, I got a lot of his wall of amps sound over the vox.
Roth had some ups and downs from song to song though. For whatever reasons, he keeps trying to sing some songs way beyond his range and at times it's just painful to hear. Fortunately, this show was probably one of his better nights and he did have a lot of energy the entire set. I thought Dave was pretty rough on Somebody Get Me A Doctor and it seemed like he was completely off-key between playing guitar and singing on the first half of Ice Cream Man up to when the band kicks in. It was interesting to watch Dave go behind the drum riser a few times in-between songs and stick large orange, lemon or lime wedges in his mouth which must be something for his throat - I dunno. All said though, while Dave was a much better singer at the '07 show I saw, he was much more "Diamond Dave" this show for better (some really funny improvs during several songs) or worse (the long, rambling dog training rap before Ice Cream Man put everyone on their asses).
We got what has quickly become the "A" set, which is Romeo Delight and Cradle Will Rock as the songs that are rotated in and out of the set with The Full Bug and up until recently Girl Gone Bad or Outta Love Again on alternating shows.
I will say the one disappointment was the crowd. It may be because Staples Arena is such a big and tall arena, it just swallows sound like nothing else, but there really wasn't too many instances where the crowd really made itself heard. Dance The Night Away got one of the biggest roar of approval when the band launched into it.
For last night's show, I caught more of opener Kool and The Gang's set which was mildly entertaining. Gene Simmons and his wife and Valery Bertinelli (not together) came in and sat just a few rows next to one of my friends near the soundboard just before the show started which got a big rise out of the crowd.
Crowd was much more into the show then last weeks', especially the opening number "Unchained." If the Kings had won the cup last night, it would have been insane. Kind of disappointed that the 2nd night's set was identical to last Fridays set (they've usually been swapping out 2 songs every other show) but the first 2/3rds of the show was significantly stronger on all counts than last week's show. Dave especially was excellent up through the first 2/3rds of the set, probably sang as good most of the show as the one 2007 show I saw. He was also more "on" with the bits/raps except for the doggy story preface to Ice Cream Man which was even more rambling than last week's bit and he didn't start to crap out vocally until about Hot For Teacher onwards. Then Dave started running out of gas and was fairly rough on several of the remaining songs. Funny moment with Eddie around Ice Cream Man, he's motioning and mouthing something about how strong the pot smell is from onstage from
up front and before his solo he said something about it was so potent, he was fucked up from it.
The strangest thing about the audience up front was people would come right up to the front from the back of the floor and take pictures (or bug anyone around them to do it for them) of themselves standing in the isle mugging to their camera with the band playing right behind them onstage. Security up front was non-existent the first show. A couple times some goof would tap me as I'm focused watching the show asking me to take a photo of him and his girlfriend or buddy with the band as a backdrop. By mid show, one of the ushers was taking pictures like that for anyone who'd come up to the front!
I'm on the fence about seeing the show almost in my neighborhood in Anaheim Tuesday. If I can land a great seat like I did for the LA shows in the next few days, I'll probably go as I really want to hear The Full Bug and maybe Bottom's Up which was played last week for the first time since '83. But the money and effort for maybe 2 different songs makes it kinda iffy at best.
I viddy'd about 1/2 of the songs throughout the set which I'm uploading to YouTube through the day. Basically shot from the exact same position in the same quality as the bunch I filmed from last week's show. For some reason, my camera's autofocus when shooting video has a real hard time with the lighting onstage.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Bacardicus?feature=watch
T.B.

Good review. Gene probably thought, "See, you don't have to have a
great voice to entertain the crowd." If that guy can get away singing
live, anyone can.

I'm going with a group of 8 people to the Honda Center show tomorrow.
I didn't buy the tickets so I don't even know how good they are...

I agree, there are better songs they can play off the new album. If
they do a second half of the tour, I'd like to see them drop about
8-10 songs and change it up.

I do like that "Diamond Dave" is back. I always thought they were way
too stiff the last tour. If they weren't getting along, I don't think
there would be all this interaction.



This is a band *not* getting along. It's like Sam and Mike are in a
totally different place than Eddie. He barely even looks at them and
has his head down like Slash almost the entire time -

[GoBucky]

Post by IGB

I caught both shows in LA at the Staples Arena this week.  Last Fridays (6/1) from floor section 3 (Eddie's side) 3rd row isle and last nights (6/9) same section, same isle seat only 6th row. My seats both shows were outstanding and I had completely unobstructed views of everything onstage. I picked up the 6/1 ticket about a week before the show on TM for face value, so anyone going to the remaining shows, check TM the last few days before shows as they release excellent seats in the last few days.
Due to personal circumstances, I came close to not making the 1st LA show and it took a while to get into it and enjoy it for what it was.
That said, it was a very solid show. The band, especially Dave seemed really focused on nailing the songs. Eddie was pretty much spot on all night. Ditto for Wolfgang. I don't miss original bass player Michael Anthony anymore. From my vantage point only about 10 feet from the front stage rail, it was pretty tough to see Alex behind his massive kit but the guy was rock solid the entire night. The sound was really good up front and since I was on Eddie's side, I got a lot of his wall of amps sound over the vox.
Roth had some ups and downs from song to song though. For whatever reasons, he keeps trying to sing some songs way beyond his range and at times it's just painful to hear. Fortunately, this show was probably one of his better nights and he did have a lot of energy the entire set. I thought Dave was pretty rough on Somebody Get Me A Doctor and it seemed like he was completely off-key between playing guitar and singing on the first half of Ice Cream Man up to when the band kicks in. It was interesting to watch Dave go behind the drum riser a few times in-between songs and stick large orange, lemon or lime wedges in his mouth which must be something for his throat - I dunno. All said though, while Dave was a much better singer at the '07 show I saw, he was much more "Diamond Dave" this show for better (some really funny improvs during several songs) or worse (the long, rambling dog training rap before Ice Cream Man put everyone on their asses).
We got what has quickly become the "A" set, which is Romeo Delight and Cradle Will Rock as the songs that are rotated in and out of the set with The Full Bug and up until recently Girl Gone Bad or Outta Love Again on alternating shows.
I will say the one disappointment was the crowd. It may be because Staples Arena is such a big and tall arena, it just swallows sound like nothing else, but there really wasn't too many instances where the crowd really made itself heard. Dance The Night Away got one of the biggest roar of approval when the band launched into it.
For last night's show, I caught more of opener Kool and The Gang's set which was mildly entertaining.  Gene Simmons and his wife and Valery Bertinelli (not together) came in and sat just a few rows next to one of my friends near the soundboard just before the show started which got a big rise out of the crowd.
Crowd was much more into the show then last weeks', especially the opening number "Unchained."  If the Kings had won the cup last night, it would have been insane.  Kind of disappointed that the 2nd night's set was identical to last Fridays set (they've usually been swapping out 2 songs every other show) but the first 2/3rds of the show was significantly stronger on all counts than last week's show. Dave especially was excellent up through the first 2/3rds of the set, probably sang as good most of the show as the one 2007 show I saw. He was also more "on" with the bits/raps except for the doggy story preface to Ice Cream Man which was even more rambling than last week's bit and he didn't start to crap out vocally until about Hot For Teacher onwards. Then Dave started running out of gas and was fairly rough on several of the remaining songs. Funny moment with Eddie around Ice Cream Man, he's motioning and mouthing something about how strong the pot smell is from onstage from
up front and before his solo he said something about it was so potent, he was fucked up from it.
The strangest thing about the audience up front was people would come right up to the front from the back of the floor and take pictures (or bug anyone around them to do it for them) of themselves standing in the isle mugging to their camera with the band playing right behind them onstage. Security up front was non-existent the first show. A couple times some goof would tap me as I'm focused watching the show asking me to take a photo of him and his girlfriend or buddy with the band as a backdrop. By mid show, one of the ushers was taking pictures like that for anyone who'd come up to the front!
I'm on the fence about seeing the show almost in my neighborhood in Anaheim Tuesday. If I can land a great seat like I did for the LA shows in the next few days, I'll probably go as I really want to hear The Full Bug and maybe Bottom's Up which was played last week for the first time since '83. But the money and effort for maybe 2 different songs makes it kinda iffy at best.
I viddy'd about 1/2 of the songs throughout the set which I'm uploading to YouTube through the day. Basically shot from the exact same position in the same quality as the bunch I filmed from last week's show. For some reason, my camera's autofocus when shooting video has a real hard time with the lighting onstage.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Bacardicus?feature=watch
T.B.

Good review. Gene probably thought, "See, you don't have to have a
great voice to entertain the crowd." If that guy can get away singing
live, anyone can.
I'm going with a group of 8 people to the Honda Center show tomorrow.
I didn't buy the tickets so I don't even know how good they are...
I agree, there are better songs they can play off the new album. If
they do a second half of the tour, I'd like to see them drop about
8-10 songs and change it up.
I do like that "Diamond Dave" is back. I always thought they were way
too stiff the last tour. If they weren't getting along, I don't think
there would be all this interaction.
This is a band *not* getting along. It's like Sam and Mike are in a
totally different place than Eddie. He barely even looks at them and
has his head down like Slash almost the entire time -
http://youtu.be/Q6kMxnnvWeA

Good Lord is Hagar horrible!