Van Halen
Deer Creek Music Center
Indianapolis, IN
July 22, 1998

Set List - Click here!

Review by Jerry Baughey - jbaughey@arch.com

Well, I just got home from the Van Halen show and all I can say is, WOW! I have been a die hard Van Halen fan since the Diamond Dave days and I was just a little bit skeptical going in to tonights show. I was in for a real treat!

Eddie, Alex, Mike and Garry were in top form tonight. They played a great mix of the old, the new, and the really old. Every thing rocked solid!

My favorite moment had to be when Eddie dived into the opening riff to "Mean Street"! So cool! The crowd went nuts! Eddie is still the reigning "King of Rock Guitar"! Every note was perfection!

Gary is a true showman! And he can sing (which is a plus!) I think he spent quantity time on every inch of the stage! He handled the old material better than I have every heard it sung before!

Two thumbs up for Van Halen Three!!!!!!!

Incredible, and awesome are just a couple of words that come to mind after tonights show. Eddie, Alex, Michael, and Gary were on fire. The energy they put forth was exausting. Every song, every solo ROCKED, if anyone went away disappointed they had to have been stoned.

Gary silenced any skepticism I had, he handles the old song very well. Eddie will always be the greatest guitar player ever, his performance tonight can't even be described. I was also stunned by the singing of Michael ...awesome, and of course Alex blew em' away. Keep up the great work guys, and we know you will.

Wow! What a great show! This was my first Van Halen concert ever and I was not disappointed. The boys put on one hell of a show! From the very first song to the very last song, all four members performed with more energy, intensity, and enthusiasm than I've seen at a concert in a long time.

I'll start with Gary. This guy can sing! I'll admit I was skeptical, I didn't really like the new album quite as well as past albums, but he won me over tonight! I don't think I've ever seen anyone with that much energy before! He was all over the stage! I have to admit I am a big Sammy Hagar fan but tonight Gary proved to me and to the city of Indianapolis that he definitely fits right in with this band! Anyone who disagrees needs to have their head examined! He can sing the Dave stuff and Sammy stuff almost better than they can! And after hearing these new songs off of III performed live tonight I will definitely be giving the album another listen. They were definitely something to behold live!

Now, on to Alex. This guy is a monster on the drums! If his injured arm is still bothering him, it sure didn't show tonight! He played like a madman all night! And his solo was killer! In any other band, Alex would steal the spotlight. He punished those drums!

Mike is next. This guy played his heart out all night. He looked like he was really having a great time out there! I have to admit though, I am kinda disappointed that he doesn't do his bass solo anymore but he made up for it when he took lead vocals for Somebody Get Me A Doctor. He proved that not only is he a master of the bass but he has a great voice as well.

And finally, Eddie. What can you say about this guy? He's gotta be from another planet or something. He's not human! When he did his solo, the whole crowd was in awe! He proved that he is the best guitarist in the world! Throughout the entire concert he constantly amazed me with his playing. He looked like he was having the time of his life out there. It seems that having a vocalist that he is actually friends with is causing him to let loose and play better than ever! Ed is THE KING!

All in all, it was a fantastic show! They played a great mix of new songs, old songs, and really old songs. You couldnt've asked for more! I went to this concert expecting to have a good time but I never expected this! I was literally blown away! On a side note I have to mention the crowd. For the most part the crowd was great. They were on their feet, yelling, cheering and singing along. But there was this guy sitting next to me who stood stonefaced the entire concert. He didnt move a muscle. Didn't break a smile. Didn't clap. Looked like he was dead. I almost wanted to belt the guy for going to a Van Halen concert and not participating. It was kinda distracting too. Every time I would clap or cheer he would shoot me strange looks. Other than that though, I had a great time! Anyone who still has a chance to see them this tour, dont miss out! You'll be missing one hell of a show!

Man, what a show! Van Halen rocked! Eight hours later, I'm still amazed and in awe of what I saw. Eddie, Alex, and Mike were the best I've ever seen them. Gary was great, but I'm convinced that anyone can sing for VH, and they will still be the best band in the world.

The set list was almost perfect. Highlights for me were "Unchained", "Mean Street", "I'm The One", and "Feel Your Love Tonight". I would have liked to hear "Romeo Delight instead of "Right Now". No one should sing that song but Sammy. Mike was great singing lead on "Somebody Get Me A Doctor". "Humans Being" was awesome live. They were all performed excellently.

I paid $150 for my seat (third row, Eddie's side) and it was a bargain! I'm going to see them tomorrow in Pittsburgh. If you have the chance to get to one of their shows, you must go. It's awesome! VAN HALEN RULES!!!

I've had the priviledge to see the last seven tours. Last night was probably the best VH show I've ever seen. Granted we had front row tix, but that isn't going to skew this review. I performed a little test to prove to my friends that this is still a great line up. I took a friend who indicated that VH is only VH with DLR, two which felt the same about Sammy, and myself who could care less...it will always be great music (by the way, I footed the bill for this little test). All of them were completely taken aback by the show. VH3 has converted at least three who before were stuck in their non-evolving ways.

Now for the show. It rocked. Plain and simple. The played enough of every era to satisfy everyone. The entire band was so energized. I read on the VHML how Eddie looked so happy. I would have to agree...he did. He looked about half his age. He never stopped moving and groovin'...happy as hell. However, the smile may because he is laughing a people like me with their jaws hanging wide open at what they are witnessing. Gary rocked. He truly is a showman. Alex will always be Alex. Despite the sequencer I heard was such an alarming facet of his solo (via VHML), it was tastefully done. I can't say I missed Mike's solo, but him taking lead vocals on "Somebody Get Me a Doctor" was probably better than any solo because it demonstrated to this audience that Mike not only provides the foundation to the tunes, but also he can sing his ass off.

The show was great. I strongly urge any era fan to check it out. You will not be disappointed.

Of course Van Halen is always going to be Van Halen. They sure did not pack them in at Indy! I thought Van Halen had a terrible sound man. I have not missed any of their concerts since 1984. I could not even understand what the hell Gary was singing. I have not listened to the new album yet.

I was not impressed with Eddie's solo. He kept it real short this time. I was in the front row, out in the lawn, and in the middle of the pavillion at times. No matter where I was standing. They sounded like shit. I am a true Van Halen fan. I would never dog them out like I am. But I am speaking the truth. I would consider that show one of the worst things I have ever spent $73.00 on two tickets for.

My final comment. Hey! Van Halen I hope you take some of that ticket money your robbing people of and buy a real singer.

UNCHAINED!!!! That's the only word I can think of to describe the show King Edward and the boys put on at Deer Creek. This was the best damn Van Halen show I have ever seen. Gary Cherone kicked all ass with his enthusiastic stage show, and once again, Eddie left the crowd shocked at his guitar playing skill.

Mr. Jack Daniels (the bottle) found himself on stage with his long time partner Mike Anthony. And let's not forget Alex, when he did his drum solo, all I could feel is the ground pounding from the kick ass double bass!!! The king started into Humans Being, and everybody went off.

And I gotta give it up for those awesome songs off 3, they sure do rock! Then for the encore with Josephina, Panama, and the almighty classic, Jump, had me wonder if I came to a concert or a sing along. Somebody get me a doctor, because I about passed out last night!!! Rock on, and LONG LIVE THE KING!!!!!!

I am a long time fan and this is my 1st VH show, and I must say it was great. I thought Gary did a great job covering the DLR songs, but I am not so sure for the Sammy tunes.

I was happy to see a guitar solo in the middle of "Year To The Day". Eddie's guitar sounded great through the whole show! It was worth it just to see Edward play an acoustic guitar! Everyone should go!

This was the second night in a row I saw Van Halen. I was more impressed with this show in Indianapolis than Cincinnati. This night, the band seemed to flow better.

VH seemed to go through the motions in Cincy. The bad concert in Cincy followed by three people getting stabbed in the parking lot. (They must of been Gary Cherone fans. - Just kidding). I would not have thought this unless I saw the Indy show. But the truth is, Gary Cherone needs to go. If you read my review from Cincy, Gary was seen back stage as very unhappy camper. (Wonder why!?). That is another story though.

The highlights of the night was simply the great flowing music. I have thing to say though. "Year To The Day" needs to be thrown in the garbage. What a cheap copy of "Stairway To Heaven".

Plain and simple, we need Sammy back. The attendance would pick up and we could again pride ourselves as VH fans.

Van Halen proved to me tonight that they are the greatest rock and roll band on earth. Once again it was a really quick change from Kenny Wayne Shepherd's setup and Van Halen practically leaped on stage. They absolutely tore the roof off of the Deer Creek Music Center!

Alex's drums simply cut through the crowd with an energy that made me jump up. Eddie still has the greatest guitar tone on the planet and he sounded perfect on the old songs. Gary is the premier frontman for these guys. He teased the crowd saying that if we were misbehavin' enough that they would play some old songs. He is all over the stage with an energy neither Dave or Sammy ever brought to the band and he sings songs from both eras with ease.

Eddie was so animated as he jumped and ran everywhere and it was great to see him and Michael Anthony playing tag and having a great time. You can really tell these guys are having fun again just as all the other reviews have stated.

Eddie and Gary did a wonderful rendition of Josephina and after a fan got hauled away for running on stage they finished the end with rocking versions of Panama and Jump which I'm still hearing in my head. The solos by Eddie and Alex were short, but they contained all the good elements. (Cathedral, parts of Eruption, etc...) Michael also sang Somebody Get Me A Doctor and that was great too.

Despite early thunderstorms and a rainy night Van Halen still created that magic that has left me blown away. A must see show that will ultimately be a great time with a truly great band. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!