Live DVD? Instant Live CDs? ILoveAllAccess Style Soundchecks?

**Apocalypso** · 01.25.07, 05:57 PM

Since Van Halen is without a record label, I believe there is a strong chance we might get some shows offered through InstantLive on cd. This of course means the band would have to at least change up a couple songs in the setlist to make it worth fans buying more than one or two shows, something I would be honestly surprised Van Halen, especially with Roth would do. I caught tours by The Cult and earlier, Bauhaus (both bands without current record contracts) in the past couple of years and I can say firsthand it's a pretty sweet deal. Neither band really went further than mixing up or swapping in and out a couple songs per show (unlike say, The Black Crows who offered some shows through IL and *really* mixed up their sets every show) but it was worth picking up 2 or 3 shows for each tour. The other, less desirable option is offering shows through ITunes downloads which would be lossy sound quality.

Also, I would be very surprised if Van Halen does the "premier package" thing beyond perhaps offering the best tickets for top dollar this tour. I was not a big fan of the '04 tour but I will readily admit catching a 6 song informal soundcheck before the actual show was worth the price of the show itself, especially considering the band played a few Roth era deep cuts (without Sammy, heh) and Eddie was in decent shape during the day. I just don't see that happening with them this time around - although I guess it would be kind of cool to hear them play a few Hagar era deep cuts this time around as it's highly unlikely they'll play any Sammy tunes during the shows.

And they *really* need to film a show for a live dvd release. Even if the shows are crap, an official release in home video should be a given considering the unlikelyhood they'll hold it together past this year with Dave.

T.B.

**hain23x** · 01.25.07, 05:59 PM

great--60 CDs of the same show

they'd make more money if every set list was different!

(wow, two setlist posts by me in less than a minute! woo hoo

)

**Superbird** · 01.25.07, 06:08 PM

I second the Live DVD idea. It doesn't matter if they aren't like 1984 or whatever. It's history; Dave, Ed, and Al for the last time probably.

**hain23x** · 01.25.07, 06:15 PM

I have bought some Instant Live Crowes shows over the past few years and you can really get some different shows with not very many duplicate songs if you look at the set lists.

I'm sure Van Halen know how to play a gazillion songs

but they'll play the same 16 songs every night

maybe if someone told them that there's money to be made from changing setlists and selling them through Instant Live they miiiiiiiiiiiight consider changing a song or 2 every 10 shows.

but they won't

**Van Squalen** · 01.25.07, 06:21 PM

LOL. Are we talking about fan-friendly product variation here?

Does Van Halen do that?

Hausman's joint and this very site have provided more fan-friendly offerings than Van Halen Inc.

That said, I'd be very surprised if fans are allowed to access soundchecks again through premium packages.

The most ideal thing in this clusterfuck, if there is such a chance, if they're looking to stir up any diehard fan interest or support for Van Halen 4, is to release new music.

An album. A mini-EP. Three or four tracks on Itunes. Whatever. A few new songs to play live.

**hain23x** · 01.25.07, 06:25 PM

going on tour with a guy you haven't had in the band for over twenty years without new music is called something....

can't ...remember...the word...for it....

oh yeah, KISS

**Van Squalen** · 01.25.07, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by hain23x

going on tour with a guy you haven't had in the band for over twenty years without new music is called something....

Don't forget, Ed swore up and down he'd NEVER tour without a new album to support. "It wouldn't be fair to the fans." Direct quote.

He barely squeezed by in '93 on that RHRN tour with that gawdawful live album that was simply a retread of FUCK with horrific production. And in '04 it was just passable, by a smidgen of technicalities, that there were three new tunes behind a second greatest hits outing. At least they kept two of the new tracks in the set most of the tour.

Now...with Dave returning...booting Mike...and NO new tunes...it's finally a complete sellout at last.

**hain23x** · 01.25.07, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Van Squalen

Don't forget, Ed swore up and down he'd NEVER tour without a new album to support. "It wouldn't be fair to the fans." Direct quote.

He barely squeezed by in '93 on that RHRN tour with that gawdawful live album that was simply a retread of FUCK with horrific production. And in '04 it was just passable, by a smidgen of technicalities, that there were three new tunes behind a second greatest hits outing. At least they kept two of the new tracks in the set most of the tour.

Now...with Dave returning...booting Mike...and NO new tunes...it's finally a complete sellout at last.

ah yes, someone que the infamous clip from 96

i love when things come back to bite those two on the ass

**Apocalypso** · 01.25.07, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Van Squalen

Don't forget, Ed swore up and down he'd NEVER tour without a new album to support. "It wouldn't be fair to the fans." Direct quote.

He barely squeezed by in '93 on that RHRN tour with that gawdawful live album that was simply a retread of FUCK with horrific production. And in '04 it was just passable, by a smidgen of technicalities, that there were three new tunes behind a second greatest hits outing. At least they kept two of the new tracks in the set most of the tour.

Now...with Dave returning...booting Mike...and NO new tunes...it's finally a complete sellout at last.

Actually, I'll bet they play both '96 Roth tunes off the BOV1 cd this time around, not that that really qualifies as "new" tracks. They've just never been played live before.

T.B.

**Foamfoot** · 01.25.07, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by hain23x

going on tour with a guy you haven't had in the band for over twenty years without new music is called something....

can't ...remember...the word...for it....

oh yeah, KISS

**Van Squalen** · 01.25.07, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Apocalypso

Actually, I'll bet they play both '96 Roth tunes off the BOV1 cd this time around, not that that really qualifies as "new" tracks. They've just never been played live before.

T.B.

That doesn't quite qualify in the terms that Edward set out for himself when he was talking about that stuff. 'Always forward, never back.' Yada yada yada.

For that matter, they could play Push Comes to Shove or Drop Dead Legs, which also have never been played live before.

That said, the prospect of Me Wise Magic live is certainly enticing.

**hain23x** · 01.25.07, 07:54 PM

just think about it for a moment... let it sink in...

Ed, Dave, Mike, theluckyguydrummerbrother

they play a different set list every night (except for those 3 they HAVE to play) pulling songs from their first 6 albums and various great covers from their club days and sell those puppies on instant live. You might have "On Fire" on one and not see it again for another 6 or 7 shows. You might have "Top Jimmy" on one and not see IT for another 6 or 7 shows. 16 tracks on show #1 and a totally different set of 13 or so songs on the next few. Keep mixing those songs over and over-different combinations "no two setlist ever the same"

Hell, I'd buy all of em'!

but 60CDs of the SAME show? i'd buy one only if it's the original 4.

but since it isn't gonna be THE 4--and they WILL NOT change the setlist, I''ll wait until the boots start rollin' in at jamtothis and download the one that everyone agrees is THE ONE.

**Van Squalen** · 01.25.07, 07:56 PM

They've never been advocates of switching up the setlist much while on tour, not in any era.

**hain23x** · 01.25.07, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by Van Squalen

That said, the prospect of Me Wise Magic live is certainly enticing.

**Menlow** · 01.25.07, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by Van Squalen

That doesn't quite qualify in the terms that Edward set out for himself when he was talking about that stuff. 'Always forward, never back.' Yada yada yada.

For that matter, they could play Push Comes to Shove or Drop Dead Legs, which also have never been played live before.

That said, the prospect of Me Wise Magic live is certainly enticing.

The prospect of seeing just about any song not played since 1984 dusted off is enticing. If said song hasn't been played to death over the last 20 years on Classic Rock radio, even better.

God, I hope the setlist isn't going to simply boil down to which order the Roth tunes on BOBW should be played in.