Finding hidden gems in unexpected places is a thrill for any music fan. Imagine stumbling upon a DVD promising a vintage Van Halen concert. That’s exactly what happened when this reviewer unearthed “Dance The Night Away,” a DVD seemingly plucked from the shelves of a large retail store. Initially mistaken for an official release due to its unlikely presence in mainstream retail, it quickly became apparent this was something else entirely: a bootleg capturing Van Halen at their explosive 1983 US Festival performance, headlined on May 29th. While the promise of reliving this legendary performance is enticing, the reality of “Dance The Night Away” is a mixed bag, especially for discerning fans of Van Halen Dance The Night Away.
Unearthing a Van Halen Time Capsule: The US Festival 1983
For those unfamiliar, the 1983 US Festival was a monumental event, a true spectacle of rock music. Van Halen headlined a day packed with future legends like Motley Crue, Quiet Riot, Judas Priest, and Scorpions, playing to a staggering crowd of approximately 375,000 people. This DVD, “Dance The Night Away”, purports to capture Van Halen‘s set from that very day. The excitement of potentially owning a visual document of this iconic concert is undeniable. The mystery surrounding the DVD’s origins only adds to its initial allure. Lacking any official branding, year, or location information on the packaging, it felt like uncovering a musical artifact. A quick online search confirmed the source: Van Halen’s headlining gig at the US Festival. The anticipation was high – could this be a lost treasure for Van Halen dance the night away enthusiasts?
Video Quality: A Bootleg Reality Check
Unfortunately, the initial excitement fades somewhat upon pressing play. The video quality of “Dance The Night Away” is undeniably poor. Blurry footage and glaring lights are immediately apparent, making for a less-than-ideal viewing experience. The camera work feels unfocused, contributing to the overall visual shortcomings. Distracting rainbow stripes even appear onscreen before “Ice Cream Man,” reminiscent of old television static. Compared to official releases or even better-quality bootlegs of the same event – such as Quiet Riot’s Live At The US Festival 1983 DVD or Judas Priest’s US Festival footage (available on the Screaming For Vengeance – 30th Anniversary Edition) – “Dance The Night Away” falls significantly short. Even a bootleg recording of Motley Crue’s US Festival performance reportedly surpasses this DVD in visual clarity. For viewers accustomed to modern HD concert footage, or even standard DVD quality, “Dance The Night Away” requires a considerable tolerance for visual imperfections.
Van Halen in Their Prime: Performance Overrides Production
Despite the subpar video quality, the raw energy and sheer performance prowess of Van Halen in their prime shines through. This DVD captures Van Halen arguably at the cusp of their global domination, just before the release of 1984. David Lee Roth, though vocally a bit rough around the edges at times, delivers a quintessential Roth performance. His stage presence is captivating – the scissor kicks, the audience banter, the undeniable charisma – it’s all there. It’s easy to see the influence Roth had on subsequent frontmen, particularly those in bands like Steel Panther. Eddie Van Halen, ever the guitar virtuoso, is a whirlwind of motion and iconic riffs. The band’s signature vocal harmonies are also present and sound strong, adding another layer to their sonic attack. The unbridled energy of Van Halen dance the night away is palpable, even through the grainy footage.
Song Selection: A Van Halen Hit Parade
The tracklist of “Dance The Night Away” is a major redeeming factor. It’s essentially a Van Halen greatest hits set circa 1983, drawing from their first five groundbreaking albums. From the opening burst of “Romeo Delight” to the anthemic “You Really Got Me,” the setlist is packed with fan favorites. Deep cuts like “Full Bug” and “Secrets” from Diver Down are a welcome inclusion, highlighting the underrated depth of that album. While personal preferences might differ (the reviewer notes missing “Where Have All The Good Times Gone”), the overall song selection is excellent. The inclusion of obligatory drum and bass solos, while perhaps dated for modern viewers, were staples of the era and showcase the individual talents within the band. The setlist is a journey through the early Van Halen catalog, making it a worthwhile experience for fans eager to relive those classic tracks live, even in bootleg form.
Bootleg Quirks and Final Verdict
The bootleg nature of “Dance The Night Away” is further underscored by details like misspelled song titles on the DVD case. The omission of “Happy Trails” from the listed tracklist, despite being played in full at the end of the show, is another telltale sign. Ideally, an official release of this historic US Festival performance, with professionally restored video and bonus content like band commentary, would be a dream for Van Halen fans. However, in the absence of that, “Dance The Night Away” serves as a flawed but valuable document of a legendary Van Halen concert. Despite its significant video quality issues, the DVD captures the raw energy and iconic performance of Van Halen dance the night away at their peak. For die-hard fans desperate for live footage from this era and willing to overlook the bootleg presentation, “Dance The Night Away” might be a worthwhile, if imperfect, addition to their collection.
DVD Track List:
- Romeo Delight
- Unchained
- Drum Solo
- Full Bug
- Runnin’ With The Devil
- Jamie’s Cryin
- So This Is Love
- Little Guitars
- Bass Solo
- Dancing In The Street
- Somebody Get Me A Doctor
- Dance The Night Away
- Cathedral / Secrets
- Everybody Wants Some
- Ice Cream Man
- Intruder / Pretty Woman
- Guitar Solo
- Ain’t Talkin’ About Love
- Bottoms Up
- You Really Got Me
- Happy Trails
- You Really Got Me (reprise)
Band Members:
- David Lee Roth – lead vocals / harmonica
- Eddie Van Halen – lead guitar / background vocals
- Michael Anthony – bass / background vocals
- Alex Van Halen – drums
Production:
Unknown
Band Websites:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
Reviewed by Olivier for Sleaze Roxx, January 2016
