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J. M. - I attended the Greensboro show last night. I was seated at hard stage left on the lower second level. I'm not sure how the sound mix was out front, but we were getting far too much of Wolfgang's bass and Alex's bass drums. During Panama, I couldn't even follow the song's rhythm, as it was just a double bass pedal mush. I hope it was better for the folks out front.
The song selection was superb. It was surreal hearing these guys play these old tunes. Damn, that was great!
The guys were really tight, which surprised me. I expected them to be a little sloppy, it being their second actual show. Roth didn't showcase very many of his "Owww" yells, but he kept his voice under him and was every bit the showman he was in old days. Obviously, he doesn't jump around constantly, but even that would seem over-the-top in 2007. Wolfgang did fine and was the surprise of the show....he sounded a lot like Mike on the backing vocals.
Eddie played great, but he appeared to be noodling with his effects and pedalboard at various times during the show. This tells me he's still working out the kinks in his live rig. Speaking of live rig, I wish 80s rockers would just ditch the dummy amp stacks. Who cares if Eddie's playing through one 4x12 cab hidden in the corner of th stage? His live sound was decent, but he had about 4 patches on his pedalboard that sounded off-target. He nailed Cathedral, for instance, but his delay was not set properly, so the notes were decayed too much when he maxed his volume knob. This was simply one incident in a series of tech. problems for Eddie during the show. Something happened with his Wolfgang guitar during the Jump encore. I heard it immediately and knew he was WAY off pitch with the synth track and he was obviously surprised by something going on with it. He cocked his ear, fiddled with the fine tuners, etc. With all of the wanging he did on its Floyd Rose during the show, I wondered if he'd broken a string or fractured a winding on a bass string. After they'd finished, he handed it to his guitar tech and pointed at the back of the neck.
Overall, I loved seeing DLR with the boys. They really played their asses off. Their emotion was genuine, and I think theyfinally realize how much the band (this version of the band) means to their fans. Perhaps they're beginning to realize how fun it was to play with each other before egos began to take over.
Dave R. - I went to the Greensboro show last night. We were also in the upper deck and, indeed, the sound did suck up there. The PA was poorly designed for that size room and seating layout. There was no high end aimed upwards, so for those of us sitting at or above the level of the lighting rig, all we got was thunderous bass.
However, my brother and I found a good spot in a ramp with two very nice ushers who let us hang out for about 1/3 of the show. This was on the 2nd level, toward the back, and the sound out there was fantastic and the stage view was great. I hope the sud engineers pay attention to these two shows and add some vertical fills for the rest of the tour. It was LOUD, but it sounded good. The PA was distorting some though, and that was pretty surprising given the high profile of this tour.
Roth is sounding amazing and singing all the words to all of the songs. He teared up shortly after they took the stage when he and Eddie embraced and then waved to the crowd. The only noticeably weird part was during Eddie's solo. It just didn't really go anywhere and he spent a few moments tapping on pedals like he was trying to figure out what to do next. They were actually "popping" when he engaged them. Then, when they came back out for "Jump", he didn't switch guitars and it sounded like he was playing in a different key. He may have broken a string and tried to compensate instead of switching guitars for the last song, but I can only imagine that there are 1,000 guitars next to him ready to go. It sounded totally f**ked up.
Other than that, it was a great show. They are really playing their asses off. Roth is taking it VERY SERIOUSLY and seems to be trying to prove that he's more than just an acrobat and court jester. Well, he proved it alright. That guy is 53 and he can sing some hard rock with the best of them. Highlights of the night were "Little Dreamer" and "Panama".
Meg L. - I'm still simply overwhelmed with last night's show. I saw Van Halen for the very first time in summer of 1980 at Carter-Finley stadium, opening for Boston, I was totally blown away. I never ever thought I would relive that moment again until it became apparent that Dave and Ed have reconciled and REALLY are touring. Folks, the BOYS are back, if you loved the Roth-era albums, do not hesitate, try to attend one of the shows, don't miss it, these guys are still rocking.
It appeared the boys were overwhelmed too, by the roar of fan appreciation last night, Eddie teared up, so did I. Seeing David Lee Roth and Eddie together on the stage again playing the old school days music were dead on and blew this gal away! Sure there were a few glitches, no show is perfect .
Sound was great from my seats, I was on the lower level, close to the ramp and Eddie. My ears are still ringing a bit. Everyone was on their feet throughout the entire performance. EVH looked great, played his ass off, clearly proud to see his son on stage with him, and he appeared to be happy to be back with DLR up front! DLR, I don't care what others think, he is and should always be the front man for VH, sorry but Hagar never was up to par, Van Halen plummeted downhill when Roth left. I just hope that EVH and DLR will continue to build on this momentum of the first couple of shows playing the classics and enjoy what they are doing for the fans and themselves.
Hard rock at it's finest! I'm looking for tickets to the DC show! I have to see them together again, one more time. The Cradle Rocked in Greensboro last night.
Dave T. - I am sad to say that I just came from the Greensboro, NC show and it sucked....the sound was horrible. It was the worst Van Halen show I have ever seen and I have seen them 6 times with all 3 singer's. I can't believe that the sound was so bad that I could not even tell what song they were playing after seeing the set list 3 times before the show. I am feeling totally ripped off for $90.00 to see this show. I walked out because it was sooo loud. There is no excuse for the sound being so bad when we are paying $90.00 a ticket to sit in the upper deck. I love Van Halen and have been a loyal fan since 1978 and to be subjected to this kind of poor sound at a concert was ridiculious. The band played great and Wolf did a great job but when I can't tell what song they are playing and I know every song they have ever played....something is not right.
I will never spend another dime on a Van Halen show untill they do something about the sound at their live shows...there is NO EXCUSE for the poor sound management.........Pissed Off Fan, Dangerous Dave
Lisa R. - We've seen the Police twice this year, Genesis, Heart, and now the best concert of the year "Van Halen". 2 1/2 hour show with David Lee Roth as the showman. The sound was wonderful as we were in the 4th row, unbelievable, I didn't see one person in the whole audience sit down as everyone was reved up. These guys are in their 50's performing like they are in their 20's. Song after song including Wolfie in some of the lyrics. Wolfie was wonderful, a great kid to watch and you know he's going to grow and get better and better. Alex and Eddie were on the whole show, Eddies solo was awesome as he still has it and these guys are built let me tell ya. If you are a Van Halen fan, you won't be dissapointed in this concert. We were lucky enough to meet David Lee Roth earlier and what a great guy, shook everyones hands, thanked us for coming just a gentleman. Enjoy as "They're Back"
Mike M. - Just got back from Greensboro,nc show(2nd night) and it was amazing. Dave sang great and eddie was in rare form. Wolfgang is s great musician. Alex played his a** off. The old school tunes were great. They are back. i still miss Mikey on bass,but wolfie held his own.
Carol C. - If you like out of tune out of sync music, then the show at the Greensboro Colesium was for you. I am a VanHalen fan and very dissappointed in the way the music was played, it seemed they were just going through the motions (not very well) to make some money. Dave was out of tune alot, and the band was not together alot. The only bright spot was of course Eddie's awesome guitar work.
They sang Show Your Love and stood silent during the vocal harmony shoobedowap. What a disappointment. We left before it was over, I hope for the fans that the rest of the tour sounds better.
Tim P. - What happened in Greensboro (their second show on the Davey train) was almost surrealistic. Starting out with "You really got me", then straight into "I'm the one", the band AND the fans witnessed one of the great moments in rock when they stopped. Those first 2 songs drove the crowd so wild, the emotions so high, the coliseum wouldn't stop cheering. The band was unable to go on because the noise wouldn't stop. Ed kept pointing back at the crowd mouthing the word "you, it's for you". As the nonstop roaring continued, Dave walked across the stage, grabbed Eddie and hugged him. The roar then got deafening and Eddie was so overcome, he had to wipe the tears from his eyes. They were back. I've seen Zeppelin, The Who, The Stones, and countless others, but that was THE most dramatic moment in a concert I've ever witnessed.
Sammy, I love ya man, you did some great songs and shows with Van Halen, but Dave and Eddie go together like sex and a Saturday night. Roth was made for Van Halen and Van Halen was made for Roth. I went in expecting them to be a little off because after all they're in their 50's. I was wrong. Dave hasn't lost a thing. He sang his ass off, and he's still Diamond Dave. Yeah they have a few more wrinkles, but once I saw Eddie run across that stage and slide to Wolfie, I knew they still had it. Wolfie was amazing. Can you imagine every teenage kid's fantasy of being a rock star on stage in front of thousands, and it comes true? Alex was awesome for 2 straight hours of nonstop hammering. Did I miss Mike? yeah. Did it take away from the show? HELL NO!!! I hope this tour comes out on DVD so all the fans can experience it.
The cradle was ROCKED !!!! "Have you seen Wolfie's grades lately?"
Bill C. - Drove from WV to see the show in Greensboro last night and was stunned at how well the guys did. I had horrible seats in the nose bleed section but the sound was good from that angle, friends that were on the floor said the sound sucked but thats stadium sound for ya. Dave by far took the show for me, he sang 99% of the words and stayed on key. Eddie had a killer night but was on a cord.....WTF? Alex's solo added horns in the mix and didn't miss a beat all night. Wolfgang...... well, I did miss Michael. Wolf played very well, his vocals were really good but he has the stage personality of a pole in a strip club. My biggest hope for him is that Dave and Ed can rub off on him and he comes out of his shell. Bottom line....... go see them as soon as you can
Richard H. - Just saw the show in Greensboro NC, this show restored my faith in rocknroll. Great Show
Judy L. - I went to see the concert last night in Greensboro. Let me tell you, it was worth every penny! Although the music was a little too loud in a few songs, (mainly Jump)they still rocked the house! For this being the first time in 20 something years that they have played together with David, it didn't show. The sound was a little distorted at times as well, but I blame that on the sound man and the colliseum, and not the band themselves. I would pay to go see them again, that's for sure!! Van Halen, you still got it!! You rocked the house!! Eddie Valen Halen is an UNBELIEVABLE GUITARIST! And keep David Lee as your lead singer, you have always been better with him!! Hey, & how about Wolfie?! Way to go Kid!! Keep it up, and we will go see you again on the next tour. Don't make it so long this time!!
Thomas S. - Went to the concert in Greensboro last night. It was awesome .Let's bring rock back where belongs above that R&b crap!!!!
Phil T. - Went to the Greensboro concert - i was sat up at the top row - right at the back of the stadium. I'm 44yrs old - I've been going to concerts from 15yrs old(this includes Led Zeppelin)....the VH concert last night will be ranked right up there with my top 4 or 5 best concerts of all time.......Dave Lee Roth kills me.....you have to laugh at this great showman, and his singing is better than ever......i was gonna say they have taken up where they left off in the mid 80's......but instead - i'll say this time the guys are older and more mature and look and sound better than they were in the 80's......Dave has now taken up to wearing center-ring showman type suit coats instead of bearing all his skin and wearing bandana's around his neck.......he is much more classy now than he ever was........for all of you who have bought tickets to this tour - Dave Lee Roth will entertain you - in a different way in which your used to seeing.
When leaving the stadium last night - the large crowds screamed and howled and whistled through the hallways by what they had just experienced (in all my time at concerts i have never seen such scenes).
Russell J. - EVH you are a guitar GOD, I am 36 years old, and have been playing Van halen songs for 20 years. My Wife and 17 year old Son also attended the Show. My Son said it was the single best moment of his life seeing Eddie live. he plays guitar as well and was completely star struck, what other IDOL is there?.. DLR sounded great. the Sound was muddy for it to be 2007 I agree with others on that, However, that did not ruin the show at all.
My best advice to the promoters of the tour. get an opening act for petes sake!! Kymani Marley? are you kidding me? that was the worst performance, sound, and just wrong for Van Halen fans. I have ever witnessed. I actually was embarassed for them.
Other than that I was totally stoked from the show, and to see that same fire in my son ,I had 20 years ago, was priceless. Thank-you VH.
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Important Notice: The Frankenstein Design, a registered U.S. copyright, and the VH logos, registered U.S. trademarks, are used on this website under license from E.L.V.H., Inc. The owner of this website is entirely responsible for all content and material on this website, and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, VAN HALEN or E.L.V.H., Inc.
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