Van Halen @ Jiffy Lube Live 8/29/2015

I went to see Van Halen ($20 good ol' groupon) with Ariel and Ilem. Saw Heathen and Jason, Marysol, her mum, and Marc there. I was on the lawn, but nevertheless had to see Van Halen on a Saturday. I went in expecting Eddie and the Van Halens to ROCK, and Dave.... well to be Dave.

Diamond Dave and Eddie

As we got there kind of late, we noticed a huge amount of people (more than I thought would be there!), and proceeded to park in what seemed like the furthest away lot ever. Fortuitously this would turn out to be good, as we were close to an exit when the time came!

After walking to the venue and passing 1,000s of people, we were hearing Kenny Wayne Shepherd finish up his set with a Jimi Hendrix cover. OH WELL. It sounded alright, but we weren't really paying attention, unfortunately. I think I was still processing the way more than last time people.

Merchandise wise, there was a lot, but it was all (as expected) overpriced. I didn't get anything. Shirts ($45), tote ($20), picks ($20), poster ($15), water bottle, mug, cap.

Diamond David Lee Roth

Diamond David Lee Roth was the consummate showman that he's always been- flamboyant and a bit off key as ever. I've only seen him recently, tho. He changed his outfits about 6 times- black blazer, vest, leath jacket, blue jacket, hat, scarf. I dare say he had more outfit modifications than Rob Halford. Dave's vocals were... well Dave. I think the songs and the Van Halens more than made up for the (at times) struggling vocals.

The screen behind the band was pretty sad, orange and black like an old pinball screen (some legs walked by for "Drop Dead Legs"). There were a bunch of lights, and the side screens showed the band, but other than that it was a bare bones show.

Alex Van Halen

The backing vocals sounded remarkably full, it sounded like they piped Michael Anthony in, or Wolfie has taken some singing lessons. I couldn't really tell, but they sounded solid.

Wolgang Van Halen

Setlist wise, we DID get some songs I've not heard live before ("...Sky", "...Legs," "...Rhyme," etc.) which was very nice in addition to classics ("Runnin' ...", "Hot For Teacher") and the unavoidable ("Jump").

Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo was still the centerpiece of the show- pretty amazing still. I was still pretty transfixed during it, and it was well worth the price of admission. The drum solo was watchable/listenable, but still I couldn't get into a drum solo by the mighty Alex Halen. Might as well throw in a Bass solo and give Wolfie a chance (which they kind of did for a very small intro). Musically/technically we couldn't complain about anything. Really, DLR was the only sore point- and you can argue forever about who was the better singer (Roth or Hagar), who to replace DLR with, how are people paying for this, etc. etc. All I can say is Dave was entertaining, but his best singing days are way past. But this guy still bought a ticket.

Overall it was still highly entertaining and somehow we escaped from the JLL way quicker than normal

Next show: EPICA

Photos

Merch
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Setlists

Van Halen (8:46- 10:45)

• Light Up the Sky 
• Runnin' With the Devil 
• Romeo Delight 
• Everybody Wants Some!! 
• Drop Dead Legs 
• Feel Your Love Tonight 
• Somebody Get Me a Doctor 
• She's the Woman 
• China Town 
• I'll Wait 
• Drum Solo 
• Little Guitars 
• Dance the Night Away 
• Beautiful Girls 
• Women in Love 
• Hot for Teacher 
• In a Simple Rhyme 
• "Dirty Movies" 
• Ice Cream Man (John Brim cover)
• Unchained 
• Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love 
• Guitar Solo 
• You Really Got Me (The Kinks cover)
• Panama 
• Jump