Van Halen Concert - January 26, 2008

At American Airlines Center in Dallas.

As a generic 'alt-rock' guy, I still retain a healthy appreciation for good old fashioned rock and roll. The spectacle of David Lee Roth's reunion with Eddie and Alex Van Halen (and Eddie's son, Wolfgang, on bass) plus the fact that I got my firm's tickets in our luxury box coaxed me into an unlikely Saturday night.

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On our way to dinner in Victory Park, the crowd was lined up and ready to go. We made our way in around just before 9:00pm and made it just in time for the triumphant pyrotechnic entrance of the band, with DLR waving a huge red Van Halen flag as the band started into "You really got me". Once Dave strutted down with the band in his sequined circus coat and started doing his kicks and swirls I couldn't help from laughing in disbelief. He's a great showman and really is funny and entertaining to watch.

The band was tight and DLR's voice was actually pretty good, even the "Ow's". The big problem I had was....I only knew about 6 of the songs, as my main exposure to Van Halen was the Sammy Hagar era. I didn't enjoy it all that much for that reason. Panama was great, as was Jump and Runnin with the Devil. There was a DLR solo acoustic set, a 7 minutes drum solo and a 7 minute Eddie Van Halen guitar demonstration. The drum solo was pointless, but I'm glad I've been to at least one concert that had one. I thought they were going to do stuff from their whole catalogue, but apparently DLR won't sing any 'red rocker' songs.

All in all, a pretty good concert. Loud rock and roll and masterful guitar work is fun to listen to, but better if you know the songs.

01. You Really Got Me (from Van Halen, 1978)
02. I'm the One (from Van Halen, 1978)
03. Runnin' With the Devil (from Van Halen, 1978)
04. Romeo Delight (from Women and Children First, 1980)
05. Somebody Get Me a Doctor (from Van Halen II, 1979)
06. Beautiful Girls (from Van Halen II, 1979)
07. Dance the Night Away (from Van Halen II, 1979)
08. Atomic Punk (from Van Halen, 1978)
09. Everybody Wants Some (from Women and Children First, 1980)
10. So This Is Love? (from Fair Warning, 1981)
11. Mean Street (from Fair Warning, 1981)
12. Pretty Woman (from Diver Down, 1982)
13. Drum Solo
14. Unchained (from Fair Warning, 1981)
15. I'll Wait (from 1984, 1984)
16. And the Cradle Will Rock (from Women and Children First, 1980)
17. Hot for Teacher (from 1984, 1984)
18. Little Dreamer (from Van Halen, 1978)
19. Little Guitars (from Diver Down, 1982)
20. Jamie's Cryin' (from Van Halen, 1978)
21. Ice Cream Man (from Van Halen, 1978)
22. Panama (from 1984, 1984)
23. Guitar Solo (incl. "Women in Love" intro, "Cathedral", "Eruption")
24. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (from Van Halen, 1978)

Encore

25. 1984 (from 1984, 1984)
26. Jump (from 1984, 1984)