Van Halen Live in Cincinnati

Van Halen is back on the tour trail. Last night the legendary band stopped in Cincinnati and I attended the show with Eric and Heather. You might recall I saw the band around seven months ago in Indianapolis. This time I had "cheap" seats, but the view wasn't bad and the sound was awesome. The show was not sold-out and I would say U.S. Bank Arena was about 80% full. The crowd was also quite different from the October Indianapolis show. While the Indianapolis crowd was immediately rowdy, it took a few songs for the Cincinnati fans to warm-up. After "Runnin' with the Devil"  the crowd  was ready to rock. Van Halen with David Lee Roth performed their classic tunes, including:

You Really Got Me
Runnin' With the Devil
Somebody Get Me a Doctor
Beautiful Girls
Dance the Night Away
Atomic Punk
Everybody Wants Some
Oh, Pretty Woman
Drum Solo
Unchained
I'll Wait
And the Cradle Will Rock
Hot for Teacher
Little Dreamer
Little Guitars
Jamie's Cryin'
Ice Cream Man (both acoustic and electric)
Panama
Guitar Solo
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
1984
Jump

I have to say this show was more sonically pleasing than my first go-around in Indianapolis. The acoustics are better inside U.S. Bank Arena, so that was a major plus. I did notice, however, that the band didn't seem as tight as before. Perhaps the wear of the road is making them tired or maybe they are just going through the motions at this point. It wasn't more than a month ago the remaining Van Halen tour dates were cancelled - then rescheduled - because Eddie had a mystery illness (rehab?) that needed immediate attention. Even if Eddie, Alex, Wolfgang and Diamond Dave were a little sluggish, there was still a general note of camaraderie.

I must admit Eddie sounded good on the guitar. That might seem like a gross understatement, but there were dates on this reunion tour where he completely fell apart. Sure there were missteps and miscues all night by just about everyone - save Wolfgang - but Eddie seemed ready to perform. That's a good thing since that's what the paying crowd came to see.

My favorite parts of the show were "Runnin' with the Devil" and "Unchained." I've always thought these are two of the best songs of the entire, extensive Van Halen catalog. Hearing them performed live is an extra treat. It was also cool to learn Valerie Bertinelli was in attendance. I saw her sitting at the sound-board with binoculars.

I'm going to count my night with Van Halen as the official start of the concert season. Hooray!

Comments

[Christian]

Unchained is my fave VH song, for sure.

[Joe]

Glad you to hear you all had a great time at the show Allyson..Take care and talk to you soon =)

[Tommy]

I am jealous of you, Eric, and Heather. I spent my night at the deuce. I am sick of pie. I'd rather have my cake and eat it, too, just like the three of you.

[Hollpass]

Glad you had fun!!! Could they make a stop at ROK?? Spent my evening with my BFF drinking too much wine and talking glam rock with our waiter!!! What a perfect evening!!

[Rhodeislandrock @ Heavy Metal Addiction]

I just read a review of the Cincy show by Rob over at Hard Rock Hideout.....looks like all of you were in the cheap seats!

I have always wanted to see Van Halen with Diamond Dave but I’m still not going. The band is coming to Providence May 25 (a rescheduled date) and I just pulled up a floor seat on Ticketmaster for $120 with all the fees. At that price, I won’t go.

Maybe I’ll change my mind the week of the show and grab a cheap seat but I’m not really up for it. I’d rather spend the money on the Maiden tour, Priest tour, Cruefest, & the Rockstar Mayhem tour.

Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/

[Rob Rockitt]

Hi Allyson,
Good to see you, Eric and Heather after the show last night. Not the best concert I have ever been to, but far from the worst.

My review at HRH is posted here:
http://hardrockhideout.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/van-halen-cincinnati-concert-review/#comment-12689

Rob Rockitt
Hard Rock Hideout

[Jess]

How cool that Vallerie was there!

And damn straight we Indies were rowdy! That's cause we know good music :)

[Kenny Ozz]

I was there. It was incredible!!! I actually had a pretty good seat, 19th row floor. I was pleasantly suprised at how good the band was. Rock!!!

[JT]

I was there too...in the cheap seats (of course). Section 214, on Eddie's side of the stage. Couldn't see the jumbotron, but it's ok because I was still close enough to see most of the action. Great show. I got chills when the lights went dark and had to fight back tears when the started "You Really Got Me." Amazing.

[Matt Hartley]

i was there and let me say it was an outstanding preformance. eddie is my all time favorite shred guitar player and he did none the less blow my mind that night.i was about 50 feet from the stage and i payed well for my tickets and it was worth every penny. and right now my favorite van halen song is either "I'm the one" from thier first album or "Jump" from 1984. Rock on Van Halen your amamzing and you guys better come for another world tour. Thank you and goodnight!