Sammy Hagar, Jayler – O2 Apollo, Manchester – 7th July 2026

HERE IT COMES…

In the age of the seventy-plus rock stars, Sammy Hagar at 78 is in good company. A rare visit to our shores – some thirty years have passed – and a switch from the planned arenas to the less cavernous venues is a smart one. The O2 Apollo is packed – and loud! Plenty of Def Leppard T-shirts are in evidence, getting their first airing after the band’s Manchester gig the night before. Good times. And should they wish it, notes can be compared…

The tour is titled The Best Of All Worlds. A cherry picked set that visits London for three dates and there are already setlist tweaks from the opening night in Wolverhampton although the theme of what amounts to a career retrospective remains. The four piece band with Sammy makes for something of a fantasy band make up. Former VH buddy Michael Anthony and Kenny Aronoff make for the poundcake pumping rhythm section that adds some beef to the songs while Nathan Mercado contributes the subtle textures and keyboard flourishes. Many eyes though are on Joe Satriani and how he does the Eddie VH parts – the answer, with respect and accuracy and naturally with his own spin that serves the song and not his ego.

HALEN HEAVEN

The opening burst is pure Van Halen heaven – Van Heaven if you will. And we remain resolutely rooted in Halen heaven with the occasional breaks for various Hagar (and Satch) stop offs. And as the lights dim, the first huge roar greets not some hefty riff from the Satriani at stage left, but the keyboard buzz and bubble of Why Can’t This Be Love where the opening line, “Here it comes!” is belted out with gusto by all and sundry. Less than half a minute in and you know it’s going to be a good night; especially when the Mancunian gathering hollers the title and greets the man at its end with one of he loudest roars heard for some time in this room.

FEELIN’ ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Sammy’s in good form too – very good form. He and the band, particularly the Hagar/Anthony/Satriani from line are having a ball. He whips us up further bonhomie with his World Cup observations and our brave boys with the loose and relaxed mood from the stage (feeding Michael Anthony from his beer bottle) breaking the fourth wall into the hall. “I can see you! I can hear you!” he declares during a momentary lift of the obligatory shades.

While Joe does Eddie and gets his own little solo-ish spot, Michael Anthony does his fair share of bvs while getting the lead on the nod to the VH Roth era. Meanwhile, a brief step back to Montrose’s Bad Motor Scooter and before the return to what most are hoping for and with the setlist juggling, Manchester seems to get favourably treated. After Joe cranks the Summer Nights intro, everyone is ready for the “urgh!” The atmosphere maintains a celestial orbit before Manchester’s own little extra treat.

Kelly Hansen from Foreigner – a fair swap for Wolverhampton’s special guest Jason Bonham – comes on for the song that you/I can’t hear without thinking of Biff’s, from Back To The Future 2 or that striking sleevless yellow jumpsuit from the video. Quite some contrast to the Wabocabo T shirt and white jeans for tonight. Even within the choice Van Hagar selection, I Can’t Drive 55 stands as a star turn. The feeling of standing on top of the world after an evening with the Leps and then Sammy and it doesn’t get much better.

GOOD ENOUGH?

You bet!

JAYLER

Jayler – the vibes and the look of the classic Rock era. When the hair was long, the dress sense was loose and flowing, the chests bare, the jeans tight and the shoes high and pointed. Brilliant.

A compact six song set based around the Voices Unheard debut, with James Bartholomew adding the occasional extra guitar to his general rabble rousing and vocal gymnastics. Anyone new to Jayler will make the inevitable Zep comparisons – they get everywhere – and you can’t disguise that look or deny the roots. Not a bad association, especially when they groove through Riverboat Queen and some sonic diversions in the final of The Rinsk. Not the half hour Dazed & Confused marathons that might leave some, erm, dazed and confused

A well rehearsed leap from the small risers for a grand finale and in half an hour Jayler has made the sort of impression that see them deserve further investigation.

Sammy Hagar: Website

Jayler: Website

At The Barrier: Facebook / X  / Instagram