Review by Ante Dragovic - a.dragovic@vacc.asn.au

Brilliant. The first time in Melbourne and they rocked. Highlights of the night were "Romeo Delight", "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" and "Somebody Get Me A Doctor". They interacted with the crowd well and it was the first time ever I saw Eddie with an acoustic.

"Cathedral" gave me goose bumps as did the riffs from "Panama" and "Humans Being". Just fucking spectacular!!!!

Before i review the concert, I have to tell about the signing at the Hard Rock Cafe.

The guys are real friendly!! I got to shake hands with all of them and wish them the best, while my sister Lisa talked to Gary and asked him to play "Dreams" at the Melbourne concert.

Now for the review:

Overall, the concert was very good. I must admit to being a little sceptical having Cherone at the mike, but he performed really well. Ed was brilliant as always and the rest of the band were playing great.

The new songs weren't going over as well with the crowd as much as the classics, but that is to be expected. The new songs did NOT however clash with any of the oldies.

Highlights were

WHY CAN'T THIS BE LOVE
FIRE IN THE HOLE
DREAMS
JUMP
PANAMA
HUMANS BEING

But the real magical part of this concert was this: just before "Dreams" started Gary shouted out:- "This is for LISA!!!"

We both freaked out!! My bloody sister got a personalised concert!! What a guy Gary is to remember her name for that!! It truly made OUR night a dream....

Excellent visuals. Lighting VG. Lotsa old old stuff. Just enough Eddie for the fans. Did Alex have a neck brace on? Gary in top form. 8/10.

There was an air of expectation, will Gary cut it, will Alex's head fall off, and will Eddie's hip stay in place?

Having witnessed Gary in Australia before via Extreme, we had a good idea of what to expect (but the flares took us by surprise). It was the definitive Van Halen sound of Eddie's guitars, mixed with the vocals and stage presence of Gary.

Gary will never replace the sounds of Dave and Sammy, but why should he? His own interpretations make for a refreshing change and entertaining show, giving us a taste of the new era of Van Halen and making the sounds of old his own.

Tracks like Fire in the hole, Without You and Josephina gave us confidence that Van Halen has been reborn (yet again). Gary carried the older era of tracks such as Right now, Jump and Panama with Style and renewed vigor.

We are looking forward to many more Van Halen albums, and here's hoping it doesn't take another 20 years to play here again.

By the way...Eddie is god!!!

Mark & Darren!

Eddie burst onto the stage whilst the crowd went wild, the rest of the band followed, Eddie greeted Melbourne and started pounding out 'Unchained'. People were singing along and loving every note coming from Eddie's fretboard. He was amazing, his guitar solo was really something!!! Not to mention Alex's drum solo which was also pure mastery. Gary was better than i thought he'd be but he still doesn't compare to Dave and Sammy. He was very entertaining to watch but was lacking something.

The best songs were probably Somebody Get Me A Doctor,Right Now and Panama. The crowd loved every song but some people near me were booing Cherone!!! He wasn't that bad. They finished their last encore,'Jump' came out to the front and bowed for the appreciative crowd. This was truly a magnificent concert experience.

It was a Rockworthy event of epic proportions! As the guys opened with Unchained, they came out wearing ring leader like costumes. Gary's voice was perfect for the older material. I find myself struggling to say it, but he excelled both Roth and Hagar as a frontman and lead singer. He ripped up hard on Sammy era songs too like Dreams and Why can't this be love, matching even the highest of Sammy's ultra high notes with ease.

At one point during Aint Talkin' Bout Love, he jumped off the stage and ran through the first 10 rows without security noticing. He fell off a seat and kept singing as fans helped him up again. He then tried to climb up the lower balcony, but thats when the men in blue came in. The crowd went bananas!

There were too many higlights to this concert, but what did it for me was Michael Anthony singing lead for Somebody get me a Doctor. Anthony screamed like his ass was on fire and as the the crowd screamed for more at the end, Gary said "Michael thanks you and his dog and cat thank you. Now it's an offical Rock and Roll Show!" I've heard early recordings of Van Halen in the 70's, and the over the top energy is back!

Being a guitarist, My ears were naturally fine tunned in to Ed's thunderous sound, and what a sound! He was on fire! This is DEFINITLY the best era to see them live. Something I'll remember for a long time.

Well, after waiting twenty years they were finally here. The set list hasn't changed much since New Zealand so I'll just say what I thought of the show. This band don't need gimmicks, that's for sure.

Inspired playing is what gets this band and it's audience off. Alex played his drum solo with as much zest and gusto as I've ever seen from a drummer. I've never seen an audience enjoy a drum solo as much as this one. Pencil thin Gary is like a spider on a hot stove. He's a total original with a great voice who has allowed this version of the band to continue as if nothing had ever happened.

Mikey is a true rock and roll showman. He grins his way through the set laying down those hot chops along Alex which allows Edward to soar.

Edward is an amazing musician. It brings a smile to your face just hearing him duplicate his licks so effortlessly from the records to the stage. I can go to my grave now saying, "Yeah, I've seen Van Halen. I just hope they come back. Ten out of ten in my book. Go and see them. You won't regret it.

Its been a couple of days since the concert and I am still breathless and overwhealmed. What can I say about Eddie and the boys...? UN-FUCKIN-BELIEVEABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wooohooooo, what a cool concert, eddie and alex were cookin and thats what everyone wanted to see. i thought gary did a pretty good job despite what most people. they played a bit too much of the older crappy synth songs but edie and alex made up for that in their crazy extended solos, bla bla bla bla i gotta stop writin this and go listen to some music

Yowsers.

That was one hell of a concert.

Seeing Edward's guitar solo was something quite special for me as a long time VH fan. The guy is everything he's written up as, and more.

Alex as well. One of the best drummers there is, he makes someone like Jack Irons look hamfisted. His solo was quite awesome. The third section in particular when he moved over to the snare, congas and crash for the accenting, and was pulling out all that polyrhythmic stuff... breathtaking. I was watching him keep time with his feet in that section, they were pounding the stage, each in a different timing! The neck brace was an interesting look too. Christ he rocked though. Some of his fills were mindboggling. Just watching the guy was great, his technique and control were incredible.

Gary didn't disappoint either. A bundle of energy, strutting, posing, and what a voice. His vocals on "Mean Street" where he changed the phrasing around were a highlight of the night for me.

And of course, Mike. "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" was another highlight. Pretty decent singer, as well as a scarily locked in bassplayer. Man, that rhythm section was _tight_. As a bassplayer I aspire to be locked in to that degree!

The band's performance as a whole was stunning. I've waited a long time for this, and I was not disappointed. They were so tight, it was scary. One feature of their performance often overlooked is their backing vocals, some of their harmonies were just awesome. They've got to be the best group of singers since Queen.

Highlights were many and pretty continuous... "Mean Street", Ed's intro, they stop, Gary greets the crowd, then BANG! into a mercilessly tight version. "A Year To The Day" - I was hanging to see this, and boy, was it amazing! "Humans Being", always loved this song, Gary's singing was far superior to Hagar, Eddie's solos ripped. "One I Want", wow, this rocked. "Somebody Get Me A Doctor". "Romeo's Delight" - my flatmate who I went with reckoned this was a few bpm slower than the album version interestingly. "Dreams" was stunning.

Well, the whole thing basically. I've seen U2 and Pearl Jam as well this year. They made Pearl Jam look like hacks - VH actually like move onstage and engage the audience. And while certainly musically superior to U2 (who I'm sure wouldn't mind me saying that, Ed and Alex are amazing musicians) also gave them a run for their money in terms of spectacle.

Pound for pound one of the best concerts I reckon I'll ever see. If there are any other bands going around at the moment as tight and vibrant as this unit I wanna see 'em.

What an amazing difference Cherone has made to this band. That acoustic "Josephina" was yet another highlight for me. His harmonies were even better than on the album!

All in all a very memorable concert experience. As I say, I waited a long time for this, and I went home a happy camper. Watch out America!

Twenty years was way too long to wait for this!

With the lights out and the boys about to climb on stage, the immense sound from the sell-out Melbourne crowd chanting Edd-ie Edd-ie Edd-ie Edd-ie The man himself sparks up with a guitar sound that every guitar player in the world can only dream of, and what a tune to start off with, "Unchained". I was just about filling my jeans!

I've seen some players in my time, but nothing could ever prepare me for Ed. A showcase of chops and an on-stage personality all his own, the man just rocked the house.

As for the rest of the boys, Alex proved to be totally solid, intuitive and literally smoked the rest of the drummers on the planet. With a solo containing some of the best latin rhythms this listener has ever heard, he was truely awesome.

Michael Anthony, what a voice!! I just wish we saw the little man wrap a cape around his neck and run around with that legendary Jack Daniels Bass.

Gary's voice has always been great singer, and he proved it once again. Perhaps not the best frontman the band has had, but he did do well considering the short space of time he has been wearing those shoes. I'm sure it will come together when he learns to party on-stage Van Halen style, and starts working an audience like I know he can.

Over all a great show, lacking only a few much needed tunes such as "Hot for Teacher", but this has been an unforgetable experience. I only hope we will see them again after the release of the next album, after all Japan has seen them more than a few times and we're only a JUMP away.

Thanks for the memories guys, keep it up - the world desperately needs more Van Halen rock n' roll!!!!

Van Halen are by far and away the best band to ever tour Australia. One only hopes that it won't be another twenty years before we see them again.

Gary is a revelation as a vocalist and as a frontman for the band. Eddie's sound was superb and once again he proved that he is the king. The only criticism I can make is that the show did not go on long enough but I am really excited that someone is fronting Van Halen who is not afraid to do some old stuff.

Here's hoping 'Unchained' becomes a stock standard piece in VH concerts.

The show was excellent, with Eddie and Mike singing some parts of the songs. Eddie and Alex both did shortened solos, about five to ten mins each (which both rocked of course) Gary did a really good job singing the Roth and Sammy songs

Also, I was lucky enough to get a 'meet and greet' pass to meet Van Halen. Before the show, I got to say hello to all of the band and shake their hands - cool! Needless to say, I had a huge smile on my face when I met them. I also got my picture taken with the band and got to hang around backstage and talk to their tour manager - Definatly a concert to remember.

I think I spotted Eddie's wife Valerie and their kids? at the concert. The rest of the bands familys may also have been there but i'm not really sure what they look like.

Anyway the concert was great (even though I got caught taking pictures) and I'll always remember it.

So thank you Gary, Mike, Eddie, Alex and all the VH crew .

"woooooaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!" That was easily the loudest and coolest of any concert possible, "Eddie is truely king !" Damn he can play !!! Apart from the fact sammy was missing and i had hoped he would be there --but. . . "but" . . .that band just keeps getting better .

Gary the new singer's voice aint too bad at all except he just cannot do what sammy can for those song's :(

The concert was full of energy and the crowd lept to their feet for "Panama" & "Jump".

One song which i was totally devestated they didnt play was "finish what you started . . ." (now That song rock's!" ..if i was one of those bitch ass critic's i would have had to shut my mouth because they have No reason to critise a perfect night -thank god i was here to see them . . . "they still are and always will be . . number : ****1**** thank you vanhalen !

I saw Van Halen in Denver with Sammy Hagar as the lead singer on the "Right Here Right Now" tour and it snowed for the whole show and it was a brilliant concert.

I'm gonna have to say that this show in Melbourne was much better. It was absolutely unbelieveable!! The sound was awesome!! The lighting was spectacular!! and the guys kicked ass!! I have to say that it does not get any better than that.

VAN HALEN YOU KICK BUTT!

Darkness.

In the distance a voice crescendoed to a might roar, "Melbourne...Are you ready?"

And with voice still resonating within Melbourne Park, 15000 fans roared their approval as Van Halen stormed onto stage powering into the opening of "Unchained".

It was the first time Van Halen had performed in Melbourne, and only the second time in Australia. With a mix of all three Van Halen eras the performance was aimed to please all - but from the audience's reaction it was clear that the old favourites of Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Panama and Jump were the most popular.

Highlights of the concert included the lighting - very spooky, especially during Edward's solo and the quieter moments of the concert. The lights were also synchronised to the vocals (especially in Josephina when Gary sang "Can you see the light" and during Fire In the Hole). There were no fireworks, escalating drumkit or other "pyrotechnics" - but in Edward's own words the music has always come first for this band.

Without You ended with the "Beatles" ending - as mentioned in other reviews - and this was a great way to perform the song live. One I Want was the third tune, and Edward absolutely thrilled the crowd with his solo. It sounded even better live than it did on CD... It was a pity I was on the left of the stage, and couldn't see his magical fingers tearing shreds out of the fretboard.

Old Hagar favorites such as When Its Love, Dreams, Why Can't This Be Love and Right Now were all recognised by the crowd. These were well balanced by DLR era songs such as Unchained, Mean Streets and Romeo Delight.

Mike was awesome during Somebody Get Me A Doctor - singing lead, while pounding out on his bass. Someone handed him a bottle of Jack Daniels during the concert, which he has a few swigs, and then decided to keep the bottle!

Year To The Day was brilliant live. Edward's solo was placed inbetween, and I cannot even begin to comprehend how the man has so much control over his instrument. Bits of Cathedral, Eruption and 316 were in it, with Edward playing 316 while lying on his back, looking at the roof of the tennis centre!

Al's Drum Solo got the crowd really pumped - he was wearing a neck brace, and with the way he beats out on the toms it's just as well. He also played to a latin feel background music, which ended his amazing solo well.

The last song before the encore was Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love. This got the crowd into raptures... and it was the loudest the audience was (yet). Gary responded by running into the crowd. He jumped over the chairs, and tripped at one stage, but kept singing. Security Guards picked him up, and then he was off again.

Gary then jumped up on to the lower balcony, one metre in front of me!!! This man will seriously injure himself on stage with his excitement :) At other times during the concert he climbed amps, fell backwards, threw microphone stands and teased security guards. This guy really knows how to work a crowd. He even teased the Melbourne crowd about Canberra being the capital and get a huge "boo' from the crowd when he asked if Sydney was a better place than Melbourne!

Unexpected delights out of the concert included the Aborigine playing didgeridoo during the intro to Dirty Water Dog, and the acoustic performance of Josephina. Edward's background vocals were perfect - and Gary got a chance to show his vocal talents.

And with that the band kicked into overdrive, as Panama began and again the crowd responded. The bands timing and delivery was awesome all night - and listening to this performance of Panama would have brought a big grin to even to the DLR diehards.

It came down to the final song, and the audience were still awaiting Jump, and when the first few notes came out on the synth the audience and band went wild as one. After that the band ran off for the second time, and the lights came on... signifying the end of the concert.

As an aside, this concert was originally booked for Festival Hall - there was no way 15000 fans could fit into that venue, which was just as well!

The wait was finally over. 20 years we've been waiting to see this band, and boy did they put on a show.

The band were awesome, Eddie, as usual was MAGIC, Alex as underated as he is as a drummer, was fantastic, Gary impressed the hell out of everyone, and my favourite, Mike, who sang 'Somebody A Doctor' as well as anyone could (Man, what a voice !) not to mention his background vocals were awesome. What a band, what a show.....

PLEASE COME BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When Melbourne wants to turn on a big night, she turns on a big night. Tonight was no exception. Within throwing distance of each other was the Moscow Circus (scary, considering the theme behind VH III), almost 80,000 people gathering at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch an Aussie Rules football game, and last but most importantly, 15,000 insane, over-starved Van Halen devotees waiting to see what we have been waiting for for WAY-TOO-LONG.

The town was a buzz, there were people everywhere, but tonight meant only one thing for me and probably every other person like me in the audience. Tonight I was going to see what I thought unseeable, touch what I thought untouchable, feel what I thought could not be felt. I was going to see the mighty Van Halen with my own eyes, not on a small two-dimensional screen, but in the flesh.

The lights went down in “Melbourne Park” to cheers of the crowd, within moments the familiar guitar chopping sound in the intro to "Unchained" is filling the vast space. The lights are up, and, yes, before my very eyes is Eddie, Mike, Alex and the extremely (pardon the pun) energetic Gary Cherone pumping out the best R&R in the world.

After going through numerous reality checks on myself (some I failed) it was time for Eddie to perform his first lead-break for the evening. After bowing to the stage and screaming “we are not worthy”, I turned to my mate with a tear in my eye and said “I never thought I would see this shit live”. Van Halen had arrived, I was the happiest man alive.

But wait, that was just the first song. “Without You” came next, and what a great song this is. I think that it may become Gary’s first trade-mark song at the head of the band. “Lord, strike that poor boy down”, oh shit, this can’t be happening, I’m in VH Heaven. Now, can somebody tell me, was the lighting during “Fire In The Hole” some of the best on-stage lighting around or was it the elicite substances playing games with me.

I could go on forever about this performance, and I think I will. After making a “Sammy song” sound pretty damn good, it was time for “Romeo Delight”. I have to say that this was one of the biggest highlights for me during the evening. It was the most awesome execution of a song that has ROCK stamped all over it that I have ever heard.

Pop quiz, how many pounds does Alex lose during one of those drum solo’s?

“Dreams” went off without a hitch (do these guys ever make a mistake?). It was a nice touch having the aborigine with the didgeridoo introing “Dirty Water Dog” (I’m really starting to love this song). OK, who let “Michael Fucking Anthony” loose with the mic? He did a damn fine job of “Somebody Get Me a Doctor”, letting Gary do some gymnastics on his stack at the back of the stage, I think it was a warning of what was to come.

Up next was Ed’s guitar solo, and it fit so nicely in the middle of “Year To The Day” that you would have thought that it was meant to belong there. As you would expect the finger-work was flawless.

In a local radio station interview a few years ago with Extreme, they were asked what their favourite live song was. Both Nuno and Gary agreed that it was Van Halen “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love” (I don’t think that was what the interviewer meant). This may explain why Gary went nuts during the song and ran out into the audience. I have never seen anything like it.

“Right Now” was the last song of the set, and I have to say it definitely gains something when played live.

“Josephina” opened the last set which captivated the entire crowd. You could have heard a pin drop. That ended pretty soon when ‘Big Al’ started the intro to “Panama”. The crowd went into a frenzy, but incredibly went up even further when “Jump” started. What a way to end an historic night.

Seemingly as quickly as it started the gig was over, and people were filing out of this and the other events that were on around the city. A lone person was standing outside handing out ‘fliers’ for the Sammy Hagar “Red Rocker” tour. Sammy who? How quick we forget.

I found out that my football team won quite easily from some supporters that were sharing the same piece of pavement as me. Basically I did not care how the Moscow Circus went, but that is me. Anyway, I had just seen the real “Greatest Show on Earth”.

David Lee Roth, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Guns 'n' roses, Kiss. All awesome bands. All excellent concerts. All were just fillers until VAN HALEN shook the Tennis Centre's foundations!

In my opinion, Van Halen certainly lifted rock concert standards up a notch or two. There is now no need to compare Gary with Dave or Sammy. He is in a league of his own. The ferocity of Alex's playing astounded me especially as he had to play in a neck brace and no doubt some pain as well although you couldn't tell from his awesome solo.

Gary appeared as much a fan as everybody else when Mike rocked on Somebody Get Me A Doctor. It was also cool when Gary, Ed & Mike shared the singing on Why Can't This Be Love.

Eddie's playing was note perfect! To see him play live was a dream come true. I don't know whether to be inspired by him or walk away from my guitar (however I don't think I could resist my Music Man EVH signature model).

All the other highlights you'll see in the other reviews. But one thing that will stick with me is how much fun these guys appeared to be having. They really enjoy what they do and that made the concert that much better.

Long live Van Halen Mach III!

The concert was great! This was the first time that Van Halen have been down under and my friends and I were just blown away! They were awesome live and I strongly recommend the concert to anyone!

LONG LIVE THE NEW VAN HALEN

The second concert of Van Halen's Australian tour was just as mind blowing as the first one in Tassie but for different reasons. The set list was better for the Melbourne show as they played Romeo Delight, Dreams and Year to the Day which was incredible and should be included in every VH set.

The lighting was better and the crowd was a lot bigger and to add to this Gary Cherone went more nuts than he did in Tassie which is pretty hard to do. He blew everyone's mind at Melbourne Park by going into the crowd during Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love and sang with the crowd who were in a VH frenzy by now. Also another highlight was when my friend pointed out to me "look at Cherone he's humping the speakers" "ah yes I replied". (It was hilarious stuff).

For all those who were at the Melbourne concert the banner that Michael Anthony held up at the end on the concert was created and made by us.

You can't ask for much more, we meet and had a conversation with Van Halen, got their autographs, found guitar picks, saw the best concert of our lives, twice, each with different songs included, was second row at the concerts, had our banner filmed by Van Halen's handy cam and had Michael Anthony hold up our banner on stage and take it with him.

All I can say is "is Van Halen looking for two devoted roadies to be included for the Europe leg of the tour" as that would be the only thing to top the last two events.

Van Halen 3 Australian Tour

Awesome

How many How many say I

The 1998 Van Halen concert in Melbourne was orgasmic. Eddie is the king of rock! The set list involved songs from VH3 as well as songs from way back. The lighting show was fantastic, however I was disappointed that Eddie's solo only went for a few minutes instead of 14 minutes, and on top of that Michael didn't even do his bass solo!

I am disapointed with the lead singing of Gary. He reminds me too much of David Lee Roth - he jumps round the stage like a fag.

However, it was the best day of my life and I can go to sleep now knowing that I have seen the greatest rock band and guitarist ever. My life is complete.

The lights went down and the arena thundered with the sound of Eddies guitar in dropped D tuning churning out Unchained.

That was it, I was off, hands punching the air with the ectasy of the first Van Halen concert ever in Melbourne. Here I was, at VAN HALEN, the sound was loud but clear, the lights in perfect sync with the music, capturing the moment perfectly.

Then as the wicked riff of Mean Street starts I am approached by security staff demand that I sit down or leave. I turn to them and with a wry grin yell in their face, "THIS IS NOT A JULIO IGLESIES OR MARIAH CAREY CONCERT THIS IS VAN f@#CKING HALEN."

The security people could not understand that I was getting into the gig and gave me the choice, either sit down or get out whilst I argued my point they thought it would be a good idea to get the cops to help them. They finally told me that if I wanted to stand I have to give up my seat and go to side of stage up in the rafters. I was not going to sit nor miss the gig so I begrudgingly moved. This was not to spoil my fun though.

Gary Cherones voice easily and convincingly cutting song from both Dave and Sammy and delivering the songs off VH3 with class. Eddies playing is just awsome at the moment and his sound huge. Mikey played with the consistency we all know and love tieing the band together. Alex played with intense accuracy.

The crowd was packed in at Melbourne park the was light applause when new material was played but it was good to here classics like Romeo delight and unchained played live. Gary went it to the crowd during Aint talkin bout love and collected some girl in the face on he' way. Overall it wasn't to bad but not the best show ive seen but its was better than i expected 6/10

I thought that the show in Melbourne on the 17th of April was absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!!! Since I'm only 14 yrs old I am one of the only teenagers to have gone! My 15 yr old sister went with me since we both love Van Halen! I would like to congratulate the guys for their excellent performance!!! I also met Mike, Alex and Eddie at the Hard Rock Cafe!