Sammy Hagar and Loverboy Review with Photos 8-23-24

Sammy Hagar’s The Best of All Worlds
with Loverboy at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion!

   On August 23, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Texas, was treated to a high-energy rock extravaganza featuring Sammy Hagar’s The Best of All Worlds as the headliner and Loverboy as the opening act. The evening promised a nostalgic journey through classic rock and was delivered in spades.

    Loverboy: A Flashback to Classic Rock

    Loverboy took the stage first, and their performance was a reminder of why they remain a staple in the rock scene. From the first note, the crowd was on their feet, greeted by an impressive setlist that included hits like "Working for the Weekend", "Turn Me Loose" and "Hot Girls in Love." The band's infectious energy and charismatic stage presence created an electric atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of the night. Mike Reno mentioned during the set that their first song to achieve hit status for major airplay was the single “The Kid is Hot Tonight”. Although the years have passed, the band’s enthusiasm and classic sound proved they still have the chops to deliver a memorable show. Original members still include: Mike Reno on Vocals, Paul Dean on Guitar, Matt Frenette on Drums, Doug Johnson on Keyboards, Saxophone and harmonica and longtime member Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve on Bass.

    Sammy Hagar: Rocking out Van Halen with Style

    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Sammy took over, and the pavilion truly came alive. Sammy Hagar delivered on his promise to celebrate the history of Van Halen more intensely than ever at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion stop of his Best of All Worlds tour Friday night. Together with band mates Joe Satriani and Jason Bonham, Hagar and his longtime running mate Michael Anthony faithfully recreated the high points of their time together in Van Halen with a 23-song set that focused almost exclusively on that era of the band's touring career.

    The crowd erupted when Hagar took the stage and launched into "Good Enough", a song that not only highlighted his dynamic vocal performance but also Satriani’s virtuoso guitar work that had everyone out of their seats singing along. For the next song Satriani brought out the MIkita drill for the special guitar effect to lead into "Poundcake" in classic Eddie Fashion. Their setlist was a heavily loaded mix of Van Halen Hits, several post Van Halen songs and a special Montrose era song toward the end.

    On the Van Halen song “Judgement Day” Satriani blew the audience away with his mastery of the guitar channeling the beloved Eddie Van Halen in only a way that a guitar master such as Satriani could. Next was the hit “Panama” it turned out to be a crowd favorite with everyone singing loudly through the whole song. Sammy commented during the set his appreciation and love of performing at the Pavilion beginning with his first appearance as a member of Van Halen in 1993 and then continuing for many years since. He also congratulated the CWMP for having been voted the best outdoor concert amphitheater in the world based on ticket sales.

    With Sammy taking a break to cool down a little from the Texas heat Satriani owned the stage with his signature “Satch Boogie” jam.

    Once having returned to the stage Sammy explained how his dad and his wife were both Texans and that they had expressed a desire for him to move to Texas. Sammy explained that he and his wife jumped in a car and drove the whole Texas coast all the way south to Padre Island but somehow, he still ended up back in California. He did say that since the day following this show would be a day off for him, that they were going to jump in a car and once again drive to the Texas coast.

    During the signature song “Mas Tequila” Sammy continued the tradition of handing over shots of tequila to the audience as well as signing every single thing that was presented to him including a 55mph highway sign stating that his driving speed was 241. Sammy then jokingly mentioned as best as he knew that he had never driven that fast.

    As the evening set drew close to an end the band played a Montrose tune from the first album they recorded, “Space Station #5” followed by the supergroup Chickenfoot song “Big Foot” which to the crowd’s amazement led right into the most successful Van Halen hit of all time “Jump”. The evening was then closed out with the 1988 OU812 power ballad “When it’s Love.”

    Overall Experience

    The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion provided a perfect backdrop for this rock-filled evening. Its open-air design allowed fans to enjoy the music under the stars, adding to the concert's lively atmosphere. The venue’s acoustics and layout ensured that both Loverboy and Sammy Hagar Band were heard and appreciated in all their sonic glory.

    Both acts delivered performances that celebrated rock music's enduring appeal, leaving the audience with a sense of euphoria and a strong appreciation for the classic rock genre. Whether you were there for the nostalgia or to witness rock legends in action, this concert was a reminder of the timeless power of live music.

Sammy Hagaar Setlist:
Good Enough (Van Halen song)
Poundcake (Van Halen song)
Runaround (Van Halen song)
There's Only One Way to Rock
Judgement Day (Van Halen song)
Panama (Van Halen song)
5150 (Van Halen song)
Summer Nights (Van Halen song)
Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love (Van Halen song) (Michael Anthony on vocals)
Top of the World (Van Halen song)
Best of Both Worlds (Van Halen song)
Satch Boogie (Joe Satriani cover) (with Joe Satriani)
The Seventh Seal (Van Halen song)
Right Now (Van Halen song)
Why Can't This Be Love (Van Halen song)
Eagles Fly
Mas Tequila (Sammy Hagar and the Wabos song)
Heavy Metal
I Can't Drive 55
Space Station #5 (Montrose song) / Big Foot (Chickenfoot Song)
Jump (Van Halen song)
When It's Love (Van Halen song)

Loverboy Setlist:
Notorious
Lucky Ones
Lovin' Every Minute of It
The Kid Is Hot Tonite
Take Me to the Top
Hot Girls in Love
Turn Me Loose
Working for the Weekend