David Les Roth - M3 Fest 2025

David Lee Roth made a dramatic return to the stage at the M3 Rock Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, on May 3, 2025. It was his first full concert in more than five years, making the appearance one of the weekend's biggest attractions.

For fans who wondered what Diamond Dave would sound and look like after such a long absence, the answer was a 16-song blast of classic Van Halen. Roth didn't spend the night revisiting his solo catalog. Instead, he went straight to the material that established him as one of rock's most recognizable frontmen, delivering songs from Van Halen, Van Halen II, Fair Warning, Women and Children First, and 1984.

The set opened with “Panama” and immediately established the theme for the evening. “Drop Dead Legs,” “You Really Got Me,” “Unchained,” “Dance the Night Away,” and “Runnin' with the Devil” followed, giving the crowd an almost ridiculous run of Van Halen classics. The set continued through “Mean Street,” “Atomic Punk,” “And the Cradle Will Rock...,” “Jamie's Cryin',” “I'm the One,” “Everybody Wants Some!!,” and “Romeo Delight.”

The final stretch was exactly what fans wanted: “Hot for Teacher,” “Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,” and “Jump.” Ending with “Jump” was particularly appropriate, sending the M3 crowd home with one of Van Halen's biggest songs and one of Roth's most recognizable performances.

Roth's return was more than simply another festival appearance. After years away from the stage and a previously announced retirement, seeing him headline M3 made the night feel like an unexpected second act. His backing band and vocal support helped reinforce the classic Van Halen sound, while Roth remained the unmistakable center of attention.

Whatever expectations fans brought to Merriweather Post Pavilion that night, the setlist alone was hard to argue with. Sixteen songs, virtually no detours, and an entire evening devoted to the Van Halen era that made David Lee Roth a rock superstar. M3 2025 wasn't just Roth's comeback show—it was a celebration of the Diamond Dave version of Van Halen that fans had been waiting to hear again.