Van Halen 1983-02-01 Porto Alegre, Brazil

Here is an uncirculated soundboard recording, capturing the Van Halen concert in Porto Alegre during the South American leg of their Diver Down tour in 1983 (No Problem tour). This is the first of ‘potentially’ two consecutive nights Van Halen played at the Ginásio do Gigantinho (Gigantinho Gymnasium). This recording is another from the collection of VH’s then-front-of-house sound engineer, Roy. No recordings of the show(s) from Porto Alegre have circulated previously, audience or otherwise.

Porto Alegre marks the final 1983 appearance of Mean Street in the setlist, while several other rarer songs would be added after the conclusion of these Brazilian shows. While the setlist is mostly the same as it was in Rio, this show in Porto Alegre sees the first appearance of the more personalized jam, or “ode” as some have called it, that takes place prior to Ice Cream Man, rather than the more simplistic solo spots from Dave that were typically performed. These seem to evoke more of an audience reaction with Dave’s lyrical emphasis on where they are playing (e.g. “Oh, Porto”), and will be a setlist trait for the remainder of the South American tour. Like in Rio, Eddie’s guitar solo also features a tease of what would soon become the intro of Hot For Teacher.

Roy used two 90 minute tapes to record this show, allowing him to capture the full show without any major cuts. The only cuts worth mentioning are the quick tape flips during Cathedral and during Ed’s guitar solo.

Like most of these South American shows, the Porto Alegre show(s) are also subject to confusion regarding the dates performed. The band’s printed itinerary indicates there were two Porto Alegre shows planned for February 1 and 2. When looking at another copy of the itinerary with additional handwritten notes from the band’s crew, which has so far made accurate indications of previous 1983 date revisions, it does not provide any signs that the second show was cancelled. Multiple Brazilian newspapers affirm this, even printings up to the day of the February 1 concert mention two shows taking place.

I also want to point out that these same newspapers all mention a previously undocumented show in Belo Horizonte on January 29 listed among the other known Brazilian dates, while a later paper lists the show in the past tense after it would’ve occurred. The aforementioned band itinerary copy with written notes also marks “play” next to January 29. Before recently, there were zero mentions of this show anywhere online.

The mystery of Belo Horizonte and the second Porto Alegre show are similar. Contrary to all the evidence mentioned above, when looking at a different sheet of paper with handwritten notes from the band’s crew, these notes also make indications of tour revisions from Rio and onward. These notes are very detailed, with travel times and flight plans, and suggest the band travelled straight to Porto Alegre from Rio, and after one Porto Alegre show travelled straight to Montevideo. In other words, it makes it seem as if the show in Belo Horizonte and second in Porto Alegre were cancelled. Which set of itinerary revisions is accurate? Chicken or the egg? This is the only discrepancy. With the other South American shows, we have some sort of evidence to confirm each took place, such as tickets, photos, reviews, first-hand accounts, even recordings. The shows in question are the only two lacking any additional solid documentation.

In conclusion, I can not say whether a second show in Porto Alegre or the show in Belo Horizonte took place. The confusion isn’t mine alone, as others who have researched these 1983 dates for much longer than I have also share this sentiment. I hope that we can hear from attendees who may remember more details regarding the two shows in question.

Track Listing:

01 Intro [0:00]
02 Romeo Delight [0:39]
03 Unchained [4:11]
04 Drum Solo [7:58]
05 The Full Bug [11:17]
06 Runnin’ With The Devil [15:08]
07 Dave Talks [18:18]
08 Jamie’s Cryin’ [19:45]
09 Little Guitars [23:24]
10 Bass Solo [28:24]
11 Where Have All The Good Times Gone! [32:54]
12 Little Dreamer [36:02]
13 Mean Street [39:22]
14 God Bless The Child [44:48]
15 Cathedral [45:59]
16 Secrets [47:30]
17 Drum Solo II [50:54]
18 Everybody Wants Some!! [53:19]
19 Dance The Night Away [58:06]
20 Somebody Get Me A Doctor / I’m So Glad [1:01:19]
21 Porto Alegre Jam [1:12:56]
22 Ice Cream Man [1:17:07]
23 Heartbreak Hotel [1:20:08]
24 Intruder [1:22:46]
25 Pretty Woman [1:24:57]
26 Guitar Solo [1:28:03]
27 Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love [1:38:57]
28 Bottoms Up! [1:44:14]
29 You Really Got Me [1:49:20]
30 Happy Trails [1:52:10]
31 You Really Got Me (Reprise) [1:54:24]

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