When Is Van Halen Touring?

Van Halen Touring: What’s Happening in 2023

Van Halen is at the top of list of the most important rock bands in history. Originally from Pasadena, California, in 1972, Van Halen quickly rose to fame in the music scene and is still well known for their 1978 self-titled, 1984, and 5150 albums. Every album had at least one track that set new standards for future rock guitarists, particularly the guitar work of Eddie Van Halen, that revolutionized rock guitar for generations. Van Halen has evolved through different phases with only Eddie and his brother, Alex, the drummer, in the band throughout its existence. Their most popular and, arguably, most profitable lineup was with the theatrical lead vocalist David Lee Roth until he left the group in 1985.

Following the change of vocalists from Roth to Sammy Hagar in 1985, Van Halen finally had its first Billboard number one album, 5150, released in 1986. They went on to have even bigger success with Hagar before the band decided to split in 1996. This began years of the band getting back together, splitting apart and swapping singers: Van Halen reunited briefly with David Lee Roth for 1996’s 'III', but this was unsuccessful and they then tried ‘Van Halen with Gary Cherone from Extreme on vocals for 1998’s ‘Van Halen III’. By 2004, the band was on a temporary break up due to some internal issues, including unease and instability.

In 2007, the Van Halen brothers rejoin with David Lee Roth; this made a lot of fan base happy and many rejoiced with the prospect of a new album and a full tour. However, the reunion was short-lived and after some touring in 2007–2008, they again disbanded and stopped playing together. Unfortunately, the band’s main figure and the guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, died in 2020 due to cancer, which seemingly ended any possibility for the reformation of Van Halen's band. Or did it? Here’s what we currently know about Van Halen in 2023: what’s the plan and what could be the future of the band’s live performances?

As of now, there is no official announcement about the 2023 Van Halen Tour.

Till the start of early 2023, there has not been any information on the Van Halen band regarding any future tour or concert. When the great Eddie Van Halen passed away, like most fans expected, the curtain dropped on Van Halen as an actively touring band. Eddie and his brother Alexander were the two members who remained with the band from the start, and as we can see, Eddie was the band’s main composer, writer, and producer of many of their hits. Many dismissed the notion that Van Halen could carry on without either of the two Van Halen brothers.

However, over the last few years after the death of Eddie, there have been some rumors about different circumstances where David Lee Roth and/or Sammy Hagar are touring with new backing musicians and calling themselves Van Halen. Is it possible that one of those two previous Van Halen vocalists could perform live under the Van Halen name with the blessing of Alex Van Halen? That, however, has remained a rumor on social media to this effect up to the early months of 2023.

What is the current status of Roth and Hagar in 2023?

While fans are eagerly waiting for some form of Van Halen to be back on stages across the globe, there are at least indications that David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar will continue to be quite busy with their solo careers in 2023. Hagar is to have a major summer tour across the United States with The Circle, which consists of Johnson, Michael Anthony, and Jason Bonham on guitar, bass, and drums, respectively. Therefore, even if there is no proper Van Halen tour planned for the future, people will be able to catch Michael Anthony performing alongside ex-Van Halen vocalist Sammy Hagar, which should guarantee several hours of VH hit parade.

While the 67-year-old David Lee Roth also seems to be going strong, which proves that the band is not going to slow down any time soon. Diamond Dave has another series of residency shows lined up for Las Vegas at the beginning of 2023. Similarly to Hagar’s concert series, which can be expected to include both his solo tracks and favorite Van Halen songs, Roth’s Vegas performances will most likely include an array of solo songs intermingling with the band’s greatest hits. And this residency comes after Roth’s shows that he performed at the beginning of 2022 in Las Vegas that were greatly appreciated. Videos from those concerts showed a lively singer who could still perform high notes with ease and power.

Well, of course, Roth is still capable of singing and performing on stage in terms of movement and stage presence should a real Van Halen tour come around in earnest some day. And it is possible his 2023 Vegas shows are just the appetizer and nothing more than the prologue to a return to full-blown tours.

What Needs to Occur for Van Halen to Tour Again?

Of course, the biggest issue that has prevented people from dreaming about a reunion thus far is the death of Eddie Van Halen. His guitar heroics were unique and at the center of Van Halen’s style and image. And Alex has not performed since the death of Eddie other than one charity performance in the year 2022. So when David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar sings for a group of the best session musicians, it just doesn’t feel like true Van Halen, and the excitement is missing.

However, Alex and Eddie’s nephew, Wolf Van Halen, has also become more involved in the band in recent years. The young, talented musician performs with his own band, Mammoth WVH, and there is no doubt that he is not only a great guitarist but also a composer. It is clear that Wolf has taken his time to learn from his late Uncle Eddie some of the pioneering strategies as well.

For that matter, Wolf Van Halen has stated in interviews that he will be willing to perform with either Roth or Hagar under the Van Halen moniker in the future. That could give a potential Van Halen tour fronted by Diamond Dave or the Red Rocker some real credibility because he is the sole blood relation in the picture. Can you just picture Wolf making out with her on stage and either of them singing all those classic ED Van Halen guitar salvos? That must have been a very special view for any long-time fan of this legendary band.

The idea may still sound quite improbable. This was said by Sammy Hagar, asking if there could ever be a Van Halen tour again in a way that could be considered real without the actual Van Halen brothers. As for Alex’s participation, it stays rather unclear to this day as well. Also, David Lee Roth could be remarkably capricious and irritable at one point.

However, money does not keep silence when musicians are eager to tour again in their sunset years in the hope of making the biggest paycheck. The VH faithful would go crazy for any kind of reunion tour, which points to the fact that the earning potential would be enormous. Everyone involved understands that there are still tremendous amounts of Van Halen tour opportunities to go around. And you know the promoters are tempting them with big, big bucks all the time.

So if 2023 comes and goes with no definitive second stage on an actual Van Halen tour, don’t lose all the things Van Halen fanatics love! It is not entirely impossible in the next few years, however, since there are still many profitable ventures that involve former key members. Undoubtedly, the death of Eddie Van Halen sealed one chapter, but the fact remains that the band never stopped searching. However, Van Halen is still alive as long as Roth, Hagar, or even Alex or Wolf are still making music.

The band has had an impressive Hall of Fame career and therefore has earned all the rights to attempt to keep the name going in some form if they so wish. And you know they have tens of thousands of loyal fans who would gladly pay for the tickets to see this archetypal American party rock ‘n’ roll performed live in arenas across the United States one more time by any formation.

So never lose hope, Van Halen fans! It is advised to revisit this article as we will post any Van Halen reunion tour dates or news as it happens in 2023 and the following years. The band did not disappoint the listeners, as it delivered feel-good music for more than two decades. So for old times sake, we all deserve one last glorious lap of live VH glory. with or possibly without some of its key original members. And if any heritage rock act can try and move forward, you know it’s this most immortal one. The mighty Van Halen!