Sammy Hagar Claps Back at Vegas Setlist Critic
Van Halen icon Sammy Hagar has pushed back against a fan questioning the song choices in his current Las Vegas residency, saying he’s already adding surprises while trying to keep most of the room happy. The exchange played out in comments tied to a residency setlist post, as Hagar continues his run of shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM.
In response to a complaint about repeated songs, Hagar pointed to opening with Van Halen’s “Mine All Mine,” noting it “hadn’t been played since 88,” and adding that he plays what he believes “most of the people want to hear.”
Hagar also explained the practical limits behind deep-cut demands, saying expanding the repertoire too far would mean constant rehearsing. He said his band has about “40 songs” ready and that across the Vegas run they’re performing roughly “18–20 a night,” framing the setlist as a balance between variety and execution.
The residency is built around material from across Hagar’s career, with a heavy emphasis on Van Halen-era staples alongside solo songs and side-project cuts. The run also arrives amid ongoing conversation about his relationship with the band’s legacy, including Hagar’s recent remarks that Alex Van Halen snubbed him when it came to certain reunion talk.
For Hagar, the latest back-and-forth underscores a familiar reality of residency shows: diehards want rarities, while broader crowds expect the hits. His comments suggest he’s willing to rotate in occasional curveballs, but not at the expense of a tight performance night after night.
