Van Halen
Silverdome
Launceston, AU
April 14, 1998

Set List - Click Here!

Review by Merton - kissmyass@trump.net.au

Well where do you start? I guess let's do the behind the scenes thing. Due to circumstance myself and a mate got to meet the guys before the show which to be quite honest if a bomb hit the place life would have been complete! Reading all the press reports about how cool the band are, how these guys go out of their way for fans, nothing could be more true, Eddie, Gary, Alex and Michael were true gentlemen. Thank you all for making Dreams come true.

OK let's get down to the business side of things.

THE VENUE: Well what can you say Tasmania let the band down big time, I was and still am totally amazed that Van Halen did not cancel the gig! It's just that the population of Tasmania is not really big and when the news came that VH were touring here it was too good to be true. But I was a little sceptical about how many people would show, optomistic YES but only time would tell. My thoughts were correct the crowd was good I suppose for a bunch of people that you would think have never seen a rock'n'roll show in their lives! Fuck me guys its a rock show you can move and get into it!!!! I must say I was very embarassed to be Tasmanian, I feel the crowd and the shitty venue really let the band down.

The fucking venue was a bike track (the Launceston Sivlerdome) shaped like a silo looked like a big water container and the set out in side was tragic (not the stage) the stage was in the middle, floor area in front (basically a basketball court) then seating. Overall a discracefull presentation for one of the World's premier rock acts.

THE SHOW: After settling in the 3rd row, I was ready for some good old VAN HALEN ROCK! And the boys did deliver, opening with the Edster shredding into "Unchained" the fun had begun. Gary's vocals were amazing, his showmanship was incredible, the guy has so much energy!!! And he loved every minute of it!! Ed was of course, you cannot sum this guy up with good, awesome, amazing, nope he was just fucking incredible!!!!!! Michael & Alex kept the beat happening without a fault, a powerful bass sound and awesome drum beat.

Next came "Without You" (my personal fav. off III) and it was in my opinion the best song the played on the night, it sounded great Ed did'nt miss a note, Gary again blew my mind. Followed closely by "One I Want" which was a cool idea also one of the cooler tracks off III, the song has a Rock Groove to it, the Atmosphere was definately happening, this song reminds me a little of "OU812" stuff a fucking song that literally says "get in the groove"

Gary chewed the Roth stuff up and spat it back out, he sounded better than Roth ever did! "Mean Street", "Feel Your Love Tonight", "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" could not have sounded any better.

I'm sure about this time Alex threw in an awesome drum solo, (my memory is still a bit jaded) the guy was just toying with the crowd, I'm not a drum solo fan but the speed of this guy is awesome! Even in my novice opinion I can tell a great drummer! And Alex is one of the best!

Of course Ed did his bit "Eruption" flowing into a haunting rhythmic groove, nothing more can be said fucking incredible! Michael did his thing with "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" for a little guy he is amazing, his vocals were great, the guys were obviously having a ball.

"When It's Love", "Human's Being", "Why Can't This Be Love", & "Right Now" I thought I would never say this, Gary made these songs sound fresh/alive once again, a new band had emerged from a tired band in a rut, I though it would have been impossible for Gary to pull off Sammy's stuff but he just did it so easy! "Why Can't This Be Love" I was not sure but I thought I saw the crowd move in this song? Don't Quote me on this though!

"Josephina" was a highlight the first song of the encore, Gary and Ed doing Acoustic version, harmonies sounded great and they didn't take themselves too seriously, it was like they were playing for a few close friends, it was great and sounded great. "Panama" & "Jump" ended the evening Michael was doing laps of the stage during Panama, he looked great and was having a ball... this ended an awesome display of ROCK, I for one was totally blown away, they will never return to Tasmania but hey! Tasmania does not deserve bands like Van Halen, thanks guys for coming and making Dreams come true.

special thanks to Scotty, Bradman & VAN HALEN.

Last night Tasmania witnessed the best live performance in its' history.

Van Halen 3 Goes Off!!!!

A small crowd of about 4000 saw Edward and the boys churn through 2 hours of pure pumpin' rock.

Opening up with "Unchained" and closing with "Jump" the highlights of the show were the guys not missing a beat with a very tight "Without You" (kickin') and following that with a brilliant "one I want". The stuff off 3 really kicks!

My personal favourites were "Humans Being" and "Right Now".

Sammy who?

Gary has taken the lead vocal spot with a stranglehold and now I know what Ed means by having singer with 10/10 ability and 0/10 attitude - Gary is a pleasure to watch (and listen to).

Thank you to Van Halen for coming to Tassie and giving us a show never to be forgotten!

This was a lifetime wait for me and I was not dissappointed!!!!!

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....thats all i can say......rocked and rocked!!! Well they ony finished just over an hour ago and im still on planet-9!! wahoooooooo

I was standing back stage.....on Eddie's side and it rocked....they guys put on a good show.....the turn out wasnt that good though....but the crowd finally got into it at the end....most the night they were just shouting EDDIE EDDIE etc etc! it was cool!!

Alex's drum solo was.....BRILLIANT!!! Eddie's solo was short but straight to the point....HE IS GOD!!!

I managed to get some pics though.....mostly of the stage....Eddie's Rig...Monitor Rig....FOH Rig...The Stage etc etc....not much taken of the band because they were pretty stricked on photos and camera *sniff* oh well....got my backstage pass here though...so i will scan it and send it!

Got to shake Eddie's hand as they walked off to the side of stage....AWESOME!!! wahooooooooo!!!

If anyone wants any pics let me know via email.................dunkman@microtech.com.au

If anyone wants to know any other info....drop me aline dudes!!!!

Simply brilliant! Any one who is a fan of quality music should attend a concert.

I have been a Van Halen fan for a long time, but I have never had an appreciation for the band as I do now after seeing them perform live. I was initially concerned as to how Gary would handle some of the older songs, but he was sensational. In fact, if one did not know any better, one could not tell that the set had been performed from three generations of lead singers.

It's not possible to fit enough superlatives in one sentence to describe the band and concert. Simple words alone are not enough to describe Eddie's guitar craftsmanship or the energy and skill of one of the best drum players ever, but it is the complete package, no single element, that must be seen to be fully appreciated.

I sincerely hope that the band enjoys their Australian tour, and hope that they receive all the accolades and success that they so richly deserve.

I was in the front row in the middle of this concert and the whole show was the best live show I have ever seen. Gary absolutely kicked arse and eddie was just the best the whole show was faultless and should never have ended.

The first time Van Halen has played in Australia, and the first concert was in Tasmania, my home state.

The band played to a very small crowd of about 2500 people, most of these were seated in the stands. It was the most amazing concert because you were 3 - 4 metres away from the guys. You could go and sit down, then walk back up to the stage front again.

Gary Cherone showed why he was chosen to replace the amazing Sammy Hagar, his stage presence was incredible. Unfortunately, I believe it was suggested that they would not return due to the lack of participation from the crowd. Totally amazing concert as part of their warm up for the world tour.