Summer nights and the music of Van Halen…that’s all we need baby. Dont’cha know it!
Sammy Hagar & The Circle’s “Crazy Times!” tour kicked off this past weekend with shows in Connecticut and New Jersey. Of the 16 songs played each night, eight of them were from Van Halen’s catalog, and not all of them from the Sammy era.
Having the chance to catch the Connecticut show on Friday night (June 10th), it was clear as fans began filling up the seats that Van Halen Nation was very much present. Plenty of VH shirts, red, black and white-striped swim shorts & leggings, sneakers and hats were seen throughout the packed 5,700 seat Hartford Healthcare Ampitheater.
After a blistering set of blues rock from George Thorogood & The Destroyers, the crowd took a breather and anxiously awaited the arrival of Hagar, Michael Anthony, drummer Jason Bonham and guitarist Vic Johnson. With the house lights still down, the familiar sound of Eddie Van Halen filled the air as a recording of Van Halen’s “Summer Nights” blasted through the theater speakers. It was a fitting tribute to our fallen guitar hero and a perfect lead-in to a night of rock and roll hits spanning Hagar’s entire career – from Montrose right through to his post Van Halen days.
As for that Van Halen-heavy setlist, the band drew from the first three Sammy-era albums – 5150, OU812 and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge – while adding one other Van Halen classic. Anthony took center stage and sang lead on “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”, dedicating it to his old friend. “That was for you Eddie!” shouted Anthony while pointing to the skies.
Watch Michael Anthony Sing “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” (6/10/22 Bridgeport, CT)
After kicking off the tour in Connecticut on Friday night, the band travelled to Holmdel, New Jersey for a Saturday night show at PNC Bank Arts Center. You can watch the entire show below:
Sammy Hagar & The Circle – Holmdel, New Jersey (6/11/22) FULL SHOW
SETLISTS
June 10 – Bridgeport, Connecticut
- There’s Only One Way to Rock
- Poundcake
- Three Lock Box
- Top of the World
- Rock Candy (Montrose)
- Finish What Ya Started
- Mas Tequila
- Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy
- Best of Both Worlds
- Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin)
- Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- Right Now
- Heavy Metal
- I Can’t Drive 55
- When It’s Love
June 11 – Holmdel, New Jersey
- There’s Only One Way to Rock
- Poundcake
- Three Lock Box
- Top of the World
- Rock Candy (Montrose)
- Finish What Ya Started
- Mas Tequila
- Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy
- Best of Both Worlds
- Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin)
- Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- Right Now
- Heavy Metal
- I Can’t Drive 55
- When It’s Love