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Customer Reviews for Van Halen

Van Halen

Read Van Halen concert reviews and post your own reviews and ratings.

Average rating:

3.9

(2006 Reviews) 2006

Rating Snapshot (2,006 reviews)

5 stars

886

4 stars

512

3 stars

231

2 stars

191

1 star

186

1,521 of 2,006(76%)customers would recommend this to a friend.

Van Halen Fan Reviews - Ticketmaster

Review 1 for Van Halen

5 / 5

Van Halen was AMAZING

Tampa Bay Times Forum @

- Tampa @

, FL @

- Sat, Apr 14, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Eddie Van Halen's solo @

Opening act(s): Kool and The Gang @

Posted 04/16/2012

by gunnerfam

Location:Tampa, FL

Featured Review

The Van Halen concert was by far one of the best shows I have seen! David's vocals were great, the huge video screen was awesome and made the show enjoyable even to those in the "nose bleed" sections, and no one can doubt that Eddie is a Rock God!! I actually think he plays better now than he did 15 years ago. This is one concert that should not be missed!!

Tampa Bay Times Forum @

- Tampa @

, FL @

- Sat, Apr 14, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Eddie Van Halen's solo @

Opening act(s): Kool and The Gang @

5 of 6 found this review helpful.

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Review 2 for Van Halen

5 / 5

Just enjoy it already

Madison Square Garden @

- New York @

, NY @

- 03/01/2012 @

Favorite moment: Dave realizing that this was going to be a really good show @

Setlist: You know it by now, no Hagar stuff, 4 new, rest great @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang but felt nothing like a wedding (in a good way) @

Posted 03/08/2012

by GuyWithKid

Featured Review

I took my 8 year old daughter (her idea). I am not a big concert goer and haven't been much of a VH fan since Dave left in the 80s but when I was 13, I bought their first album and remember being blown away by its utter rawness and garage power. The thundering bass, the torrential drums that sounded like an approaching stampede of buffalo, the mind-boggling guitar licks, topped off with powerful, almost boogie-rooted vocals from a guy that could hit this note when he screamed that was completely off the register. This band sounded like nothing I'd heard before. If this concert could even come close to recreating that feeling I had when I was a kid, it would be worth it for me.

We showed up when Kool and the Gang was about halfway into their set and yes, I too was skeptical of VH's choice of having them as the warm-up. But as I settled in and watched and listened, I started to get it. If you strip away the heavy metal overtones of Eddie and Alex's sound, what you end up with is clearly rooted in down home boogie and funk (think "Beautiful Girls", "Ice Cream Man", "Everybody Wants Some"). Dave even said as much during the show when he mentioned that they played Kool and the Gang songs back when they were a club band. And to be honest, everyone in the place couldn't resist getting up and dancing during an extended version of "Jungle Boogie". Do yourself a solid and get to the show on time. Trust me, it will get you primed for VH.

VH came on around 9pm and the entire packed arena immediately stood up and erupted (and did not sit down again for the entire show). I won't get into every song they played but suffice it to say that the warm, nostalgic feeling came roaring back into my gut and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. During the first song, you could see Dave's face light up because he could feel the energy and adulation coming from the crowd. The whole band seemed pretty excited about the crowd's reaction and it came through in how they eagerly tore into each song and smiled at each other as if to say 'hey, this is going pretty well.' After the third song, Dave went over to Wolfie (who by the way, was thoroughly solid bass-wise and spot-on vocally throughout) and said "I told you I'd be better tonight!" which leads me to believe that he may have been rusty in the previous performances (which is reflected in the some the earlier comments on here).

As for the various criticisms of the Diamond One (speaking some lyrics, forgetting lyrics, not hitting notes, etc), everyone needs to understand that first and foremost, Dave is the ringleader and showman that makes this band accessible to the audience. Without him, this would be 3 guys buried in their instruments, playing admittedly incredible rock music, but lacking the connection with the crowd. Dave is there to basically say "do you believe what these guys are doing behind me?" At the MSG show, you could sense his giddiness as they successively ripped through the old nuggets that made them great. During the mounting climax of "Hot for Teacher", the VH brothers and son were grouped around the drums playing intently while Dave repeatedly looked back at them and then back to the audience, basically saying to us 'pay attention to this.' When the song ended, he commented how there is no other band in rock and roll that is capable of putting such a biblical ending on a song. Regarding forgetting the 1st verse of the new song, I am almost certain that that is staged for our benefit. He's done it from the beginning so I think if he needed to, he would've learned them by now. Same for complaining about the air vents. It's all part of the act. As for speaking some lyrics, singing in different key, etc, it's what makes it interesting. It is something all lead men do (see Mick Jagger, Bruce, Robert Plant) to mix things up a bit. If they sang you back the album, you'd get bored. So give Dave a break. His shtick makes the whole thing work.

So if you like what I like about this band, go see them. It's well worth it.

BTW, my daughter said it was the best night of her life....Mission accomplished.

Madison Square Garden @

- New York @

, NY @

- 03/01/2012 @

Favorite moment: Dave realizing that this was going to be a really good show @

Setlist: You know it by now, no Hagar stuff, 4 new, rest great @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang but felt nothing like a wedding (in a good way) @

21 of 27 found this review helpful.

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Review 3 for Van Halen

5 / 5

VH is back!

KFC YUM! CENTER @

- Louisville @

, KY @

- Sat, Feb 18, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Eddie's solo @

Setlist: You Really Got Me, Runnin' with the Devil, She's the Woman, Romeo Delight, Tattoo, Everybody Wants Some, Somebody Get Me a Doctor, Chinatown, Mean Street, Pretty Woman, Drum solo, Unchained, Trouble with Never, Dance the Night Away, I'll Wait, Hot for Teacher, Women in Love, Outta Love Again, Beautiful Girls, Ice Cream Man, Panama, Guitar solo, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Jump @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang @

Posted 02/20/2012

by MariettaTom

Location:Atlanta

Featured Review

Opening night of the tour and the place was rocking. Eddie sounded incredible, much sharper than on the 2007 tour. Dave was his old, entertaining self, and the rhythm section of Al and Wolf were rock solid. The new tunes were great and fit in well with the classics. Go see this show!! And buy the new record!!

KFC YUM! CENTER @

- Louisville @

, KY @

- Sat, Feb 18, 2012 @

Favorite moment: Eddie's solo @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang @

8 of 10 found this review helpful.

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Review 4 for Van Halen

4 / 5

Our first VH concert

St. Pete Times Forum (aka Ice Palace) @

- Tampa @

Opening act(s): Kool & the Gang @

Posted 05/09/2013

by RockFan13

We thought that both Van Halen & Kool & the Gang were great.

Kool & the Gang gave us a fun, upbeat performance that got us up out of our seats. Their sound was good, & lots of people were up & dancing. How could you not have fun with those guys?

We really enjoyed seeing Van Halen live for the first time. The guys looked healthy & gave us their best, & they had us reminiscing about how great they were in the 1970s-1980s era....Also, Diamond Dave had a video of his dogs on the big screen, so we thought how cool that this guy is also such a dog lover that he incorporated them into the show!

As for the venue, we would love to see VH again in an open arena where the seats aren't so tiny that you feel like you're cramped in a cage. It was a definite drawback.

Overall, great performances by both bands & a really fun time.

St. Pete Times Forum (aka Ice Palace) @

- Tampa @

Opening act(s): Kool & the Gang @

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Review 5 for Van Halen

5 / 5

It's Van Halen, c'mon Dave gimme a break!

KFC Yum! Center @

- Louisville @

, KY @

Favorite moment: Hot for Teacher @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang, amazing! @

Posted 04/08/2013

by bigbill5150

what can I say, It's Van Halen. If you are any kind of a van halen fan you will enjoy it.

KFC Yum! Center @

- Louisville @

, KY @

Favorite moment: Hot for Teacher @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang, amazing! @

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Review 6 for Van Halen

5 / 5

Van Halen ROCKED!

The Palace @

- Auburn Hills @

, MI @

Favorite moment: ALL @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang @

Posted 03/24/2013

by ksweet817

Location:Michigan

I have been a huge fan of DLR/Van Halen since I was 14.. was never able to get tickets in my teens, but saw this show and it was AWESOME!! Of course, I wish they looked the same as they did in the 80's... but I was amazed that they rocked so hard! Took my 21 year old son, and he said "damn Mom, I didn't know they rocked like that!". I can't wait until the next time they are in Michigan! Eddie was incredible, Wolfgang was incredible and DLR still sounded the same when they did the old songs!! LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! Couldn't have been any better unless DLR did some jumps!!!

The Palace @

- Auburn Hills @

, MI @

Favorite moment: ALL @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang @

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Review 7 for Van Halen

5 / 5

Van Halen Excellent!!!

MSG @

- NYC @

Posted 03/02/2013

by secondson12

Saw Van Halen 3/1/12 still remember how great the show was. Never faill to impress, can't wait until they hit the NYC area again. Keep rocking guys.

MSG @

- NYC @

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Review 8 for Van Halen

5 / 5

Now this is a Van Halen concert!!!!

Verizon Center @

- Washington DC @

- 03/28/2012 @

Favorite moment: Eddie's playing throughout the show. @

Opening act(s): Kool and The Gang @

Posted 12/14/2012

by jahsan

Location:Columbia, MD

There's nothing like a classic Van Halen concert. Those who have seen the original Van Halen in the past would agree. They're that amazing live. Eddie's playing (now sober and drug free) goes to show you he still can out do the other flashy guitar players such as Steve Vai, Satriani and (yes I am a fan of him too) Yngwie. Roth may not be doing too many splits and jumps at his age but makes up for it with the dance moves and still can get his audience laughing at his jokes. The set list... just classic Van Halen. Even the new songs they did have that old Van Halen sound. It takes me back to the days when Van Halen were just starting out, putting out a solid show 100%. Fast forward to today, for the band in the 50's hitting close to 60 years of age, they can show the young musicians what a concert is all about. Good music and a good crowd that loves their music.

Verizon Center @

- Washington DC @

- 03/28/2012 @

Favorite moment: Eddie's playing throughout the show. @

Opening act(s): Kool and The Gang @

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Review 9 for Van Halen

4 / 5

Old School Rock & Roll

Madison Square Garden @

- New York City @

, NY @

- 02/28/2012 @

Posted 11/15/2012

by MadgeFan

Location:New York

Top 25 Contributor

Good mix of old and new. Dave had as much energy as ever, Eddie's guitar licks were distinctive as ever and Wolfgang was great as well. His father must be proud. Bottom line is I really enjoyed the show.

Madison Square Garden @

- New York City @

, NY @

- 02/28/2012 @

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Review 10 for Van Halen

3 / 5

Fun but fairly average show

Amway Center @

- Orlando @

, FL @

Posted 10/26/2012

by VasuK

Wolfgang felt very out of place in the entire line up.

Amway Center @

- Orlando @

, FL @

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Review 11 for Van Halen

3 / 5

regrettable

concert @

- sat @

, tx @

- 06/22/2012 @

Favorite moment: when it was over @

Posted 09/19/2012

by rubano

Location:the city

from 7th row i so loud i could barely understand the words or the tunes.

concert @

- sat @

, tx @

- 06/22/2012 @

Favorite moment: when it was over @

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Review 12 for Van Halen

1 / 5

The worst show I have ever seen!!

Sonnet Center @

- Nashville @

, Tn @

- 04/27/2012 @

Favorite moment: When DLR was not singing. Eddie's solo made to show tolerable! @

Setlist: Fine @

Opening act(s): Great, at least those guys could sing. @

Posted 09/18/2012

by Anonymous

I have to start with a positive. Instrumentally very sound, like nothing had changed. Vocally..............., David Lee Roth absolutely was horrible!! He screamed through most of the songs and knew less of the words than I did. This was my wife and I anniversary trip and he completely ruined our evening.

Sonnet Center @

- Nashville @

, Tn @

- 04/27/2012 @

Favorite moment: When DLR was not singing. Eddie's solo made to show tolerable! @

Setlist: Fine @

Opening act(s): Great, at least those guys could sing. @

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Review 13 for Van Halen

4 / 5

Great Show, but the acoustics sucked

US Airways Arena @

- Phoenix @

, AZ @

- 06/16/2012 @

Favorite moment: Eddie Van Halen's guitar solos. Still a master! @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang @

Posted 09/15/2012

by CGTraveler

Location:Phoenix, AZ

We attended the Van Halen concert in Phoenix. It was an incredible show and it was great to see David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen performing again. However, at least from where we sat in the middle of the lower bowl, the acoustics sucked. Harmonic distortion was so high, it often took 15 seconds or so to even recognize which song the band was playing. Maybe it was just a phenomenon of our specific location in the arena, but it really detracted from what would otherwise have been a 5 star show. We wish Eddie a speedy recovery from his sugery and hope the band can get back out on tour again. Oh...and make sure you do a more thorough sound check.

Kool and the Gang as the warmup band was a real trip back to hot disco nights. They did a great job, but it was a bit odd to see the teenagers in the crowd who knew every word to every song. I didn't realize Kool still held so much Cool.

US Airways Arena @

- Phoenix @

, AZ @

- 06/16/2012 @

Favorite moment: Eddie Van Halen's guitar solos. Still a master! @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang @

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Review 14 for Van Halen

5 / 5

Loved it!

TicketMaster @

- Fort Lauderdale @

, FL @

- 04/10/2012 @

Posted 08/30/2012

by VettaL

Location:Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Being this was my first rock concert; it rocked! From the classic songs to listening to songs from his recent album I loved it!

TicketMaster @

- Fort Lauderdale @

, FL @

- 04/10/2012 @

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Review 15 for Van Halen

5 / 5

Truly sublime!

KFC Arena @

- Louisville @

, KY @

Setlist: Everything under the sun. @

Opening act(s): Kool & The Gang @

Posted 08/24/2012

by ubusuw

Location:Lexington, KY

I had hoped they wouldn't disappoint, and they didn't. The new material was excellent, and the original magic was back. This concert would have been cheap at twice the price.

KFC Arena @

- Louisville @

, KY @

Setlist: Everything under the sun. @

Opening act(s): Kool & The Gang @

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Review 16 for Van Halen

5 / 5

the show rocked

Scottrade Center @

- St Louis @

, MO @

- Sun, Apr 29, 2012 @

Favorite moment: when I first fell in love @

Posted 08/23/2012

by infoserv

Location:Keokuk, Iowa

I really enjoyed the show. It was too bad that we are all getting older now!!

Oh Well!

Keith

Scottrade Center @

- St Louis @

, MO @

- Sun, Apr 29, 2012 @

Favorite moment: when I first fell in love @

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Review 17 for Van Halen

5 / 5

memorable

oracle arena @

- oakland @

, ca @

Favorite moment: running with the devil and Eddie solo @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang which was funky @

Posted 08/09/2012

by rinzo

I am 28 years old and when I was born this was the greatest band around. I grew up listening to this band my whole life and had dreams about seeing them live original line-up and well I just about got my dream the other month. I had crappy seats but I could still see them on the big screen and I had the time of my life. I suggest that you all go see them live.

oracle arena @

- oakland @

, ca @

Favorite moment: running with the devil and Eddie solo @

Opening act(s): Kool and the Gang which was funky @

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Review 18 for Van Halen

5 / 5

great night in los angeles!

staples center @

- los angeles @

, Ca @

- 06/07/2012 @

Favorite moment: panama and aint talking about love! i went crazy! @

Posted 08/07/2012

by Macho52

Location:garden grove, Ca

So this was my first time seeing van halen and i was 20 at the time and it was totally worth the drive from Orange county. They played majority of the songs i wanted to hear and david lee roth has aged but that didn't stop him from rocking out like it was 1984! it was really good that they had that big screen behind them so we could see them up close. even though i was sitting in row 16 section 1 haha but yes definetely recommend seeing them! i will always love van halen! rock on!

staples center @

- los angeles @

, Ca @

- 06/07/2012 @

Favorite moment: panama and aint talking about love! i went crazy! @

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Review 19 for Van Halen

3 / 5

weird

new orleans arena @

- new orleans @

, LA @

Opening act(s): kool and the gang......THEY WERE AWESOME @

Posted 08/03/2012

by pollos2k

I have always wanted to see Van Halen in concert, music was great, vocals were kinda BAD, forgetting lyrics, drunk, most of the time did not understand words....kinda dissapointed on david lee roth

new orleans arena @

- new orleans @

, LA @

Opening act(s): kool and the gang......THEY WERE AWESOME @

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Review 20 for Van Halen

2 / 5

Sadly disappointing.

AT&T Center @

- San Antonio @

, TX @

- 06/22/2012 @

Favorite moment: When DLR actually sang. I think it happened once. @

Opening act(s): Kool & the Gang @

Posted 07/30/2012

by TikiChi

Location:Austin, Texas

I was always a VH fan when it involved DLR. I was not a big fan of Van Hagar. So when this tour was announced, I was pretty excited and thought about scraping the $ to go...but when my 16 year old said she wanted to see them too, I knew I just HAD to make it happen for her.

The cost of two tickets in the arena level, row one, ran about the same as two months worth of payments on her braces. But being the rockstar mom that I am, I wasn't about to let my kid down.

And down is pretty much how we felt when we walked out of the AT&T Center after this show. Kool & the Gang were great. Eddie, Alex and Wolfie were outstanding. DLR had to have been intoxicated. The few times he muttered any lyric, it was slurred rather than sung. His jokes rambled on aimlessly. I sensed tension between DLR & Eddie. Wolfie seemed to play along.

My 16 year old, who was so excited about this show to begin with, finally just gave up and sat down. She had difficultly figuring out a couple of the songs until the back up vocals kicked in. It was so disappointing and a waste of $. I gave the show two stars. One because Kool & the Gang was good. Two because VH went through with the whole show and did not cut it short like A7X did to the fans of San Antonio on May 18, 2011. I mean, at least DLR stayed on stage the whole time and mumbled while throwing out about a half a dozen high kicks.

He joked about how he meant to take 2 Advil & a glass of water before coming out on stage, but he accidently took 2 prescription pain pills and 3 shots of vodka....which is about what I needed after the show to drown my sorrow for my wasted $320.

Oh...and they didn't perform "Jamie's Crying"

AT&T Center @

- San Antonio @

, TX @

- 06/22/2012 @

Favorite moment: When DLR actually sang. I think it happened once. @

Opening act(s): Kool & the Gang @

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