Van Halen
AIS Arena
Canberra, AU
April 18, 1998
Review by Tony Moore - tonymoore@hotmail.com
Wow! I have never seen a band that looked so happy or seemed to be having so much fun. And to add to this they were awesome!
After waiting over 15 years to see them I was not disappointed. Far from it. The mix of old and new songs was great and it seemed like Ed was having a blast playing the old favourites again. To see Ed in person playing classics like Romeo Delight and Feel Your Love Tonight was like a dream come true although it would have been perfect if they had played "You Really Got Me". Oh well, you can't have everything.
Gary was simply incredible and fitted in amazingly well. He handled all of Dave and Sammy's stuff to perfection. Although after the show I heard some people complaining about the way he dances and that Dave and sammy didn't dance like that, but..Hey guess what? This isn't them. I thought he was great and was pleased that he was himself and didn't try to act like somebody else.
The sound quality where I was (near the front) was a lot better than at other concerts I have been to at the same venue and the lighting was excellent. The lack of effects and pyrotechnics wasn't missed as the music was enough.
If the rest of the tour is as good as this then the world is in for a huge good time!
Review by Chris Brice
Being a bit uncertain of what Gary was like, I was extremely impressed. All I wanted to see in my life in concert was Eddie doing his thing, it was all I could have expected. The whole crowd stood in awe of Eddie during his solo, a masterpiece.
Review by Ossie Terron - ossie-jr@usa.net
Not really knowing what to expect from Gary Cherone I was very impressed. I remember walking into the concert listing to Unchained and tripping back years it sounded so much like the original. I was realy impressed and from there on I was wondering whether Gary could live up to the rest of the songs which he did without a problem.
I think more than anything everyone was just pleased to finally see everyone in Australia. Finally for me it was a concert that could have gone on forever. Next time they come it will have to be like a Van Halen woodstock and go on for about three days.
However songs that really impressed me live were Right Now Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love and Dreams. Great concert Guys. You should have been here earlier. Hope you come again. We'll need to see you guys agin as a last memory after Sammy's here.
Review by Danny Arcus - jwood@dynamite.com.au
Having waited since 1978 to see the boys live, I can honestly say it was worth the wait. It was, without a doubt, the best concert I have been to. The quality of the music was superb, and the new front man, Gary Cherone, didn't let the fans down. He was pure energy.
I was also pleased to see that VH haven't been tempted to "jazz up" their act with the use of gimmicks such as pyrotechnics, etc. My wife and I came to see the band perform, and that's exactly what we got.
The smallish size crowd was treated to a great selection of VH music, my favourite was Humans Being, followed closely by the accoustic version of "Josephina".
We are very disappointed that our local radio station, FM104.7, who promoted the gig refused to play the new single "Without You" - we can't work it out, but luckily, we've purchased VHIII, so we can listen to it, and my favourite "Once" whenever we want.
Lastly, a personal thanks to Eddie, Alex, Michael and Gary for a performance that I will never forget. You've made this fan very happy indeed!