Sammy Hagar + Jayler @ British Airways ARC, London 9th July 2026
Sammy Hagar isn’t the most regular visitor to these shores, so when he does visit for some dates, it is always special. Over the years, he has carved out a very successful career, whether with Montrose, solo, in Van Halen following the departure of David Lee Roth, or in Chickenfoot.
So, these few solo dates have been interesting. What era of Sammy will we see and hear? Will it concentrate on one area of his work, or will it be a broad overview of everything? Certainly, there are going to be fans who want to hear the Van Halen material, while there are others who may wish to hear his earlier solo material. There was always the potential for the set to be divisive, and Hagar recognised this during the show when stating that, “We can’t please everybody, but we’re gonna try.”
So, what do we get? He’s played it relatively safe, with eleven of the songs played being from the Van Halen era. Let’s also be honest here: many of these Van Halen songs have not been played, or have very rarely been played, in a live environment here in the UK. So, for many, this is a first chance to hear them up close and personal.
Unsurprisingly, the band are incredibly tight and accomplished. When you’re talking about the likes of Michael Anthony and Joe Satriani, then you know that it’s going to be a special night. There are very few guitarists out there who could reasonably accomplish Eddie Van Halen’s guitar work, but if there is one man who can, it is Satriani.
The first half of the evening is predominantly given over to Van Halen material, with eight of the nine songs having been recorded by Van Halen.
Why Can’t This Be Love is the perfect show opener and makes it clear that this band are on fire and here to rock.
In some ways, this show does seem more like an Eddie Van Halen tribute show as opposed to a Sammy Hagar solo set.
Top of the World, Runaround, Best of Both Worlds and Summer Nights all follow back-to-back. It’s certainly a case of turning the clock back a few years for many here tonight. Though perhaps the biggest cheer is for the revving guitar introducing Montrose’s Bad Motor Scooter, which, interestingly, is the first song of the night when Hagar actually picks up a guitar and plays. Before that, he has remained entirely on vocals. Clearly, he is leaving the Van Halen guitar work to Satriani.
The stage itself is quite stripped back, which gives the band room to move, although a large video screen hangs at the back and comes to the fore during Bad Motor Scooter, with old classic film clips of Evel Knievel.
Then we’re back to the Van Halen material again. 5150, Love Walks In, with its familiar keyboard introduction, and Cabo Wabo up the spirit and emotional level before Sammy whisks out a bottle of tequila and starts passing cups of it around the audience as the band and crowd rip into a frenzied Mas Tequila… obvious, really.
With the audience now on their feet, Hagar pushes the pedal to the metal with a storming There’s Only One Way to Rock. Again, Hagar picks up his guitar and shares licks with Satriani, and it is clear that the band are enjoying themselves as much as the audience.
With the band and audience high after the tequila sharing, there follows a brief discussion with an audience member involving a Chickenfoot T-shirt. Was it staged? I’m not sure, but it sees the band changing the set and playing Big Foot. Another song about driving fast. Yes, you’ll notice there are certain themes in Sammy’s songs.
Sammy takes a short break, which sees Michael Anthony step up to the mic to play an older Roth-era Van Halen song, Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love, which sees the audience bouncing, before Satriani clears the stage for his Satch Boogie, a piece of impressive musicianship and showmanship… breathtaking.
The band reconvene for the final run-in, which sees the last few songs coming from Sammy’s own repertoire. Firstly, Heavy Metal is a real blast from the past, with the video screens showing parts of the animated film for which the song was written.
I Can’t Drive 55 follows, yet another road song bemoaning being pulled over by the police for speeding! See, I told you there was a theme! The evening then quietens for Eagles Fly.
The stage vacates, leaving just Sammy explaining about encore breaks and introducing the final song of the night, which is a tribute to Eddie Van Halen. Satriani, with a quite blistering solo introduction, flies into Encore, Thank You, Goodnight., which is probably the perfect ending to a near-perfect night.
Personally, I would have liked to have heard more solo material. Where were Red, This Planet’s on Fire, Sweet Hitchhiker, There’s Only One Way to Rock, Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy, or even, from the Van Halen archives, Dreams?
But I’m not going to be churlish. This was a great night of some fantastic rock ’n’ roll.
Setlist
Why Can’t This Be Love – Van Halen song
Top of the World – Van Halen song
Runaround – Van Halen song
Best of Both Worlds – Van Halen song
Summer Nights – Van Halen song
Bad Motor Scooter – Montrose song
5150 – Van Halen song
Love Walks In – Van Halen song
Cabo Wabo – Van Halen song
Mas Tequila – Sammy Hagar and the Wabos song
There’s Only One Way to Rock
Right Now – Van Halen song
Big Foot – Chickenfoot song
Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love – Van Halen song, sung by Michael Anthony
Satch Boogie – Joe Satriani song, performed by Joe Satriani
Good Enough – Van Halen song
Heavy Metal
I Can’t Drive 55
Eagles Fly
Encore, Thank You, Goodnight.
Jayler
Support for Sammy Hagar came from up-and-coming UK band Jayler. It has already been commented upon in the media on many occasions that there is a clear homage paid to Led Zeppelin, with the sound of the band and, in particular, the looks and vocal delivery of frontman James Bartholomew. The “Zep wannabe” title can’t be dodged.
In fact, they’ve made no secret of their admiration for, and the influence of, Messrs Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and company. But in the live scenario, we need to look at these guys and see what they really bring to the table.
Prior to the show, I had decided that I would try to dismiss the media hullabaloo over the Zeppelin tag and concentrate on them as a band. So, are they just a bunch of wannabes with little originality, or are names and titles holding them back and being detrimental to the band?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate their own performance from that of a band who were born in the wrong era and desperately wanted to be Led Zeppelin. I can understand wanting to bring that style of music over. There are two generations that have existed without Zeppelin live, but we have to be realistic. Zeppelin have been and gone, and there have been numerous tributes and bands following along similar lines in the past.
This whole Zep schlock is old hat. It’s nothing new and, realistically, it does nothing for the guys as individual musicians.
It’s one thing paying homage to your heroes; it’s quite another actually trying to be them. We’re not just talking about the way they sound, but also the way the songs are delivered.
James Bartholomew’s hand and finger actions throughout completely mimic Robert Plant. Guitarist Tyler Arrowsmith prowls around the stage like Jimmy Page. Even drummer Ed Evans’ kit is set up in the same way as John Bonham’s, complete with a large gong hanging at the back.
Sorry, guys, you’ve gone from showing appreciation for a band to absolute cringe. The problem I believe they will face is that they are now so tainted with the whole Zeppelin vibe that it will be virtually impossible to reverse away from it.
With regard to the set itself, it was short, at only five songs, with the songs predominantly drawn from their recently released first album, Voices Unheard. The songs are unmistakably written like Zeppelin. The whole structure, the use of harmonica, the riffs and the heavy, thumping drumbeat.
Unfortunately, much as I had wanted to try to escape from the Zeppelin references, it is nigh-on impossible. Come on, lads, try something more imaginative. You’re better than this.
WORDS: ADRIAN STONLEY PHOTOS: ROBERT SUTTON
