Worcester, MA - Media Reviews

Def Leppard @ The Centrum By Lowell Sun

One side - the guys in flannel shirts and work boots who idolize AC/DC, likes its heavy metal straightforward, dirty and loud.

The other side - dressing in miniskirts and heels, likes bands that are stylish, clean, and loud.

The two groups of fans almost never agree on anything.

But both sides have found a band they can like in Def Leppard, which brought together 13,000 fans in flannel shirts, miniskirts, works boots and heels last night for the first of two sold-out Centrum concerts.

The band responded with a 110-minute show that included gimmicks such as lasers, a complex lighting system, and a unique center stage.

But was also marked by consistent energy and tight musicianship.

The center stage essentially provided four separate stages, one for each side of the Centrum, with a specially built revolving drum kit for one-armed drummer Rick Allen in the middle.

Def Leppard's four other members moved around the stage, and rarely joined on one side.

Instead, one of two band members would take each side of the stage.

Other highlights included 'Foolin'', 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' and 'Women', three rich, raunchy and loud rockers with strong efforts from every band member.

Lead singer Joe Elliott worked harder han any other band member, contributing strong, gritty vocals and pumping his arms as the band's chief cheer leader.

Elliott also timed the show well, leading the band through 45 minutes of solid music before pausing to chat with the crowd.

Def Leppard's problems emerged when band members performed on their own.

Elliott stretched 'Rock Of Ages', a fast paced rocker, to 15 minutes when he stopped in the middle to exhort the crowd, with Collen and Clark 0ffering weird, effects-laden solos

.

But the band showed its combination of honest rock and style again in the last few moments of the show.

Performing a passionate version of 'Photograph' in the encore and then leaving the stage as lasers spelled out the words 'Thank You' and 'Hysteria' in neat script.

By Lowell Sun 1988.

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