Dave at the fair!

[MikeL]

I had the pleasure of taking in my second DLR show of the summer tonight. We had great seats (14 rows back and off to the left slightly) at the grandstand at the MN state fair. We'd had a long, long day of walking around the fair, so it was nice to have a chair to sit in for a bit before the show began.

Show time was pushed back to 8:30, instead of the published 7:30. There wasn't an opening act. There were 4 large video screens, and at least 4 cameras (2 roaming in front of the stage, 1 back by the spots, and 1 on the drum kit) filming the show. They played ALAE twice before the show started--the last time being just before the band came on.

Everything began as the previous shows have. The band started to play, and Dave came out to a huge round of applause. The crowd was really pumped about seeing DLR, which surprised me a little. Many of those folks had bought their tickets for that night expecting to see Poison. Looks like they got an upgrade, and that they knew it. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] It was a very diverse crowd, with ages ranging from teenagers to a few senior citizens.

Dave looked great, wearing a neon yellow pair of pants and shirt that were just a bit too bright. Unlike the previous show I'd been to, he kept this outfit the entire time.

The band was better than when I saw them in the second show of the tour. The backing vocals have come along nicely. Bart looked very comfortable playing everything, and Ray got a lot of time on the jumbotrons. That guy sure does go through a lot of sticks. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] The bass player (who's name escapes me) seemed dead on, and like I said his singing has improved markedly.

Dave was outstanding! His voice was strong, and sounded great. He didn't do the scream often, but when he tried he hit it. The cool thing about the giant screens was getting to see all of Dave's facial expressions. You don't notice just how animated he is, even from just 20 feet away. It's really a blast to watch, and you can tell how much effort he's putting into everything.

Most of the normal songs were played, along with Yankee Rose. That was a real treat, and the crowd went nuts for it. I'm not sure what that might imply for the future, but people sure enjoyed it. Sadly, Unchained didn't make the set this time. It seemed like there was a bit of a time crunch happening, as the fair's nightly fireworks began behind the stage at about the same time the Jump was starting. Dave and the band seemed oblivious to this rather loud display going on right behind them. Near the end of the song Dave seemed to notice, as the finally (for both the concert and the fireworks) was fast approaching. I don't know if it was timed to work this way, but the fireworks ended just as Jump did. Dave went off to a thunderous reponse from the crowd.

Some of the highlights were Dave taking the time to tell a couple of stories. See my post in the 101 forum for these, as I think they fit well there. They were pretty cool. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] The MN state fair hires a sign-language interpreter for each grandstand concert, so there was a lady on a little platform off to the right of the stage. She was working her ass off to keep up with Dave. At one point (I think during So This Is Love) Dave disappeared off the stage, and showed up on the platform with the interpreter. This was one of those moments you just knew was going to make you smile, no matter what was about to happen. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] Dave played around with her in his typical way, being raunchy yet somehow charming. She had a hell of a time translating what he was saying to her, as she was laughing so hard. This went over really well with the crowd.

For those of you that are somewhat uptight and don't know how to go with the flow, you'll be happy (or maybe unhappy) to hear that Dave didn't do the 'shit sugar' routine. He still did the jack off with Jack bit, and had something I hadn't heard before involving a scotch'n'sofa. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

All in all, it was a really cool show. Both Dave and the band are better than they were 2 months ago. For seenbad and anyone else getting ready to see DLR in Seattle, prepare yourself for a damn good time. I never stopped smiling. How often do you go to a show where that happens? Simply outstanding! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Just as an aside, Dave is probably hanging out with Nile Rogers this weekend. He's in town to perform with Chic at the fair tomorrow night. If only I knew what bar they'd be at...

[OLO]

Mike thanks for the post! I am soooo looking forward to seeing DLR at bumpershoot after reading about your experience. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

1 week to go!!!! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[Bassman]

Hey! I saw Dave's show last night too, and Mike L. described everything just right.

Dave wasn't lying awhile back when he said "I've got the high note and I'm ready to go!" Tell you what, I think he sang better last night than on any of the old VH bootlegs I've heard. The dude is also in incredible shape! Obviously he's been taking care of himself.

MESSAGE TO DAVE AND MEMBERS OF VAN HALEN:

Someone should lock you all in a room together and tell you, "make it work, motherfuckers!"

Life is too short to be playing these bullshit games!! Seeing Dave put on such a great show was fun and at the same time frustrating. Frustrating because I KNOW now that Dave still has it, and that if him and VH would get their heads out of their asses and reunite, they'd be back on top in about ten minutes. If Ed, Al & Mike would've joined Dave onstage last night, the crowd would have gone fucking apeshit!

They would make a hell of a lot of people happy even if they could only manage to play one more tour together.

I guess that's not a good enough reason though, huh? [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Master Joe]

Great posts lads, I was smiling while reading them.

I have to admit it, I don't post here often - but you guys are always the first to post DLR reviews, I have just been to the army and the dome and nothing. It was the same thing with the last Roth show - the Links had the first review's.

Excellent work!!!!

[Glenn]

Sounds cool Mike, but what does this mean;

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MikeL:
For those of you that are somewhat uptight and don't know how to go with the flow, you'll be happy (or maybe unhappy) to hear that Dave didn't do the 'shit sugar' routine. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Those of us that think the shit sugar routine is tired and pathetic are uptight?

Just wondering. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[AllSoupNoFish]

[img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[ANGEL4U]

Hippie is going to send me some pictures of the show!!! Did you take any pictures Mike or Bassman? Glad you peeps got to see Dave, anyway [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[MikeL]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Glenn:
Sounds cool Mike, but what does this mean;

Those of us that think the shit sugar routine is tired and pathetic are uptight?

Just wondering. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dave is Dave. Some folks make far too big of deal out of very minor, very short parts of the show. So yeah, I think that's being pretty uptight. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Nope, no pictures from me, Angel. No recordings this time either. I just wanted to have fun and enjoy this one. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Glenn]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MikeL:
Dave is Dave. Some folks make far too big of deal out of very minor, very short parts of the show. So yeah, I think that's being pretty uptight. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>The next time I'm on the bus downtown and the creepy old guys start harrassing the young girls with their 'shit sugar' type remarks, I'll try to be less uptight about it. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

I guess one man's harrassment is another man's entertainment. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[MikeL]

That's a rather different context Glenn, and you know it. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[Glenn]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MikeL:
That's a rather different context Glenn, and you know it. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Just having a little fun Mike. And you know it bro. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[MikeL]

Fun is what we do here. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Raldo]

Thanks for the review of the show. Since I live in New England with no logistical way of getting to the Midwest and West shows, I have to live thru these reviews. So far, nobody has been disappointed at his performances. DLR is back and hopefully in circulation very soon with VH.