Jump... In Time - Van Halen in The QC

Van Halen at Time Warner Cable Arena - 4/25/2012
Looks like I was lucky enough to see Van Halen last month as they recently cancelled 31 dates that would have extended their current tour deep into the summer. Insiders reported they "hate each other" - we'll assume that's David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen who are infamous for their on again and off again hating.

Glad I went as this was as close as one might get to the original line up, minus original bassist Michael Anthony who last played with the band in 2004. Anthony sided with former front man Sammy Hagar in what looks to be a permanent rift, with the Van Halens on one side and Hagar/Anthony on the other.

Four Friends 1-77 IPA at Carolina Ale House
This was my first show at Time Warner Cable Arena, I previously had only been there for a Bobcats game. Jimmy Joe Pete and I walked down to the Carolina Ale House from work for some pre-show libations and dinner, just around the corner from the arena. Their buffalo chicken wrap was pretty good. They also have a good beer selection too. I tried the Four Friends I-77 IPA and then went with a new favorite NoDa's 10 Blocks South Xtra Pale Ale.

Van Halen at Time Warner Cable Arena - 4/25/2012
After dinner we walked over to the arena and caught the very end of Kool and The Gang's opening set. Our seats were above the stage on the right. When Van Halen started at first I thought it was just me, because the sound was very muddy and hard to decipher what song they were playing without checking the setlist on my phone. What's also odd is this video (below) I recorded doesn't sound too bad on playback, weird.


After a few songs, we decided to move to the back of the arena and see if maybe it was the seat location. I didn't think it was, and turned out a lot of people felt the same way after looking at the review the next day.

Van Halen - view from the back of the arena
The sound was only slightly better from the back, but still glad I went and was able to cross Van Halen off my concert bucket list.

Eddie Van Halen guitar solo
Near the end of their set, Eddie was left on stage for a blistering guitar solo which may have been the highlight of the show. The huge video screen displayed a close up of him working the strings, very cool.

Van Halen setlist - Charlotte 4/25/2012

- Salud!

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