Van Halen
Entertainment Centre
Perth, AU
April 29, 1998

Set List

Review by Richard Sojka - rsojka@inf.net.au

I am a long-standing fan having followed the band through its changes of Dave, Sammy and now Gary, so this concert was something I have looked forward to for a while. Happy to say I was not disappointed. The band kicked ass straight up with a loud welcome yell from Michael and then into Unchained, excellent lightning effects darted about Gary's energetic stage moves. Eddie was still though the crowd’s center of attention, as all eyes gazed on his amazing guitar playing. The boys were fired up and happy jumping about, letting out amazing riffs and tunes, it truly rocked our entertainment centre.

I definitely thought the highlights of Romeo Delight, Feel Your Love Tonight (with sing along) and Year To The Day, were something special - well worth seeing the concert for. Also the singing of Michael in Somebody Get Me A Doctor, and Eddie joining the vocal game on a few classics was great. Alex's new drum effects and ability in the solo are also worthy of mention.

As for Gary's singing the old Van Halen classics in the role as frontman for Van Halen, well that’s been proven to me. The man knows how to play a crowd and sing a few throat sizzlers. During Panama he leant into the crowd to grab some paper and was grabbed by a few enthusiastic ladies ("give me some help over here" to the roadie), he signed it and threw it back while the band just played on (nothing new!).

I know many would have liked to see Dave or Sammy up there but Gary handled the task well and I believe there is plenty of scope for the band to progress forward after hearing the new tunes live.

Apart from a minor drum adjustment during the solo (one frantic roadie, and one long drum roll from Alex!), a few timing issues with the beginning of Eddies guitar solo and the lead break in When Its Love (please don't flame me, even god makes mistakes) it made an evening worth remembering.

I hope Eddie’s words "see you again soon" ring true.

Firstly, let me say that when about 6 months ago, I saw on the News Desk, that Van Halen was coming to Australia I could have walked on air. I swear, it took me at least an hour to get the stupid grin off my face. I can't remember the last time I was that completely and insanely stoked about anything.

I am a huge fan. To all my friends, I am the "VH freak". I have all their albums and lyrics. I wear their t-shirts. Its almost all I ever play on my stereo. D.O.A. and Mean Street continually blow my walls down. Louder is better!!

Anyway, after all of this, I couldn't get over it. I was going to see Eddie, that's right, my ultimate guru legend "LIVE!!!". Man, I practically busted a gut thinking about it.

Well, what was it like?? F@#cking awesome, and F@#cking loud. I was without doubt, one of the greatest nights of my life. I shit you not. It has taken me 14 years to actually see Van Halen in the flesh, and from where I was, they blew my brains out.

The cover band "Hurricane Mary" was OK, but you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. The whole place was waiting. No one gave a F@#k about the 'support'.

When Eddie and the boys finally came on stage, everybody went nuts. Remember, Van Halen has never come to Aussie before. We've never seen 'em. It was like a revelation for thousands like me. Behold, Jesus Christ!!

First up was 'Unchained', this went off. I was immediately impressed with Gary Cherone, who wearing a tight black suit screamed his gutts out the whole night. The bloke was never still, not even for one second. The boys did well to pick him. He is one hell of a showman and a kick ass replacement.

Next song was 'Without You'. I think this is one of the songs they did best. It was just like the album and so damn loud that it surprised me. There was some serious power applied.

Performance of 'Fire In The Hole' realy stuck in my mind as the light show was above and beyond the call of duty. Smoke (lots of it), highlighted in brilliant red light rose from behind the band and curled forward over the top and spilled up towards the roof. It realy did create a sense of fire and hell. It was so angry, that it was like something straight out of 'Doom'.

Eddies performance the whole night was in my biased opinion "unforgettable". His ease of playing and skill kicked ass in every damn song. Every solo in every song left me thinking "What an absolute dude!".

Reality realy struck home when he played 'Eruption'. I sat there and looked around me, then I looked at him. I looked around me again, then back at him. Then backwards and forwards etc,etc. Somewhere in the middle it clicked.... "Eddie Van Halen was actually playing 'Eruption' in front of me in real life! There he is in the flesh, and he's playing it for me and those around me!! WOW!!" I'll remember that 'sinking in' of reality to the day I die.

I think my favourite song during the concert was when Michael Anthony sang 'Somebody Get Me a Doctor'. I must have been the rhythm or something, but it realy caught my mood. After that song, the whole centre went crazy. As Mike bowed, Gary then said "Micheal thanks you, his family thanks you and his dog thanks you." I think he was trying to convey how much Mike likes singing that song. Even though Mike sang it, I thought it was real sentimental. Sort of like one of the 'old' boys singing one of the 'old' songs. It was real fun. I'd like to see him perform it again.

Alex's drum solo blew everyone away. F@#k he's a co-ordinated prick! Talk about fast! Little wonder why Van Halen are such legends of rock. Everyone in the band is 'bullshit' talented.

I was especially buzzed when Mean Street was played, but was a little bit let down by Gary's delivery. Mean Street, my favourite song of all time, needs to be delivered like someone just killed your mum. F@#ckin angry! Gary's delivery I thought was a little to deliberate, and stressed each line too much. Sure he fired up with balls, but he needed to be a little faster and more cutting. Don't let me give you the wrong impression though, judge for yourself!!

The show ended with 'Panama' followed by the ol' reliable 'Jump', although Alex started 'Panama' with the drum intro to 'Everybody Wants Some'. This was very cool.

By half way through Jump, the whole house was standing. Everyone was going completely off. I just stood there going banana's, and screaming like everyone else.

What a wicked concert!!!!

Hey Eddie, come to Aussie again!!!!!

Wayne and Donna slept out for tickets for the concert, it was worth the wait. We've waited ten years to see you live

Gary was awesome, Eddie was unreal, Alex was wicked and Michael was wild. You should do it again. It was good of Gary to take time out to have photos taken with us back at the hotel after the show, and especially cool of him to autograph my tour shirt.

Just a question to Eddie and Alex - I SAW THE CARROT fall out the car at the hotel haha. I know where that came from. What was it for? We have photos if you would like to see them.

Thank you for a memorable night it was worth the wait, hope to see you again SOON!

It was awesome. The music was pumpin' and the lights were amazing. It was the best concert I've ever been to. All I can say is IT WAS BLOODY MAGNIFICENT!!