This section looks at the 'VIVA! Hysteria' residency film premiere in UK cinemas.
"It’s not really a movie, is it, because nobody dies."
Def Leppard screened their VIVA! Hysteria concert film in UK cinemas 7 years ago on this in 2013.
The tracklisting and release date for the concert album and video was confirmed on 7th August 2013 along with details of the theatrical event.
The 11 date VIVA! Hysteria residency took place from 22nd March to 13th April at The Joint in Las Vegas, NV.
On 19th September 2013 the movie was screened in the UK at Vue, Cineworld, Showcase and Odeon cinemas.
It was later shown around the world including North America on 2nd and 8th October.
The version shown in theatres was the main Hysteria album show plus the encores of 'Rock Of Ages' and 'Photograph'. The two Ded Flatbird opening sets were exclusive to the DVD/Blu-ray.
This was the first time the band had a theatrical release for a concert film.
Any Leppard music shown previously was music used on movie soundtracks such as 'Two Steps Behind' in the closing credits of 'Last Action Hero' in 1993.
The theatrical version was later premiered on UK TV by Sky Arts on 27th April 2014.
Phil Collen - 23rd August Facebook Quote
"Just saw the final cut for Viva Hysteria! on a big theater screen and it was fantastic! Not just saying that because it's me up there either. I rarely get to see Def Leppard perform for obvious reasons and this was absolutely wonderful. The edits and filming rocked."
Joe Elliott - August 2013 Interview Quote
(On theatrical release) "We were like, 'Well, that ties in with exactly what we want to do. It just kind of fell into place."
Joe Elliott - September 2013 Interview Quotes
"The world film is a bit of a stretch to me; I am a little uncomfortable calling it a film because a movie has actors and scripts."
"This is a document of Def Leppard live when we play the Hard-Rock hotel in Las Vegas. We played eleven nights, and we filmed two of them; this footage is mostly from the second night."
"It's the entire Hysteria album played from start to finish, live in front of a pretty rowdy audience in Vegas. What they can expect if they are Def Leppard fans is a very good live band playing an album that took the best part of two years to record."
"This is completely live there is no over-dubs, and the whole thing is real. It is an honest reflection of what the band is like in the year 2013."
Screenshot
Joe Elliott - September 2013 Interview Quotes
"Well, it’s not really a movie, is it, because nobody dies. I don’t save anybody in the last minute, neither does Sav. Movie is a funny word - it’s not one we chose to call it. To me it’s a live performance. It’s just a gig. It doesn’t have any documentary bits in it as such, it’s just a case of bringing Def Leppard live into a cinema situation, which is becoming kind of trendy to do."
"I’ve seen a couple of these myself and they’re even bringing in live gigs actually ‘live’ live. I think Robbie Williams from the Ukraine was in some cinemas so I think it’s just a new experience and people thinking ‘We should put rock n roll on in cinemas'.
By Sari
VIVA! Hysteria - UK Press Release Quotes
“We’ve been asked for many years if we’d ever play an album in its entirety, and the answer was always no because we'd be out promoting a new album,” says lead vocalist Joe Elliott. “Then in March and April 2013 when we had no new music to promote, we had a chance to revisit arguably our most important album. It was an easy decision to make. As for Vegas, it's no longer perceived as the place crooners go to die! Artists like Motley Crue, Elton John, Guns N Roses & Cheap Trick have recently done residencies and Rock ‘n Roll has definitely moved in! So, there was no better place for us to take the show. It was a fantastic experience for us and for our fans”
Known for legendary arena shows, Def Leppard bring their extravagant production to your house as “VIVA! Hysteria” is their first full live show shot in HD released commercially. Finally “VIVA! Hysteria” showcases for the first time a career-defining album (excluding concept albums) performed live in its entirety - from start to finish - for a commercial audio/video release. “VIVA! Hysteria”! is unlike any show Def Leppard has ever done or will ever do again. This is one release not to miss…
A new rock music concert release has just been announced by More2Screen. The UK’s leading event cinema distributor has been appointed by AEG Live to distribute a spectacular rock show event, Def Leppard’s Viva! Hysteria, to cinemas worldwide (ex. US and Canada) from 19 September 2013. Filmed live in March 2013 at the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, this is an all-out, no-holds-barred music concert extravaganza destined to rock cinema screens across the globe.
Famed for their extravagant arena productions, the band confounded expectations by booking out The Joint, the Hard Rock Hotel’s intimate and award-winning music venue, giving fans a truly up-close-and-personal concert experience. Filmed live over two nights, the set list includes top-selling album Hysteria in its entirety, plus many of the band’s greatest hits – Rock of Ages and Photograph included. With 100 million records sold worldwide, Def Leppard continues to be one of the most potent forces in global rock. For the past 30 years the band has been a top box-office draw, consistently selling out arenas worldwide.
Christine Costello, Managing Director, More2Screen comments: “From our experience distributing concert movies from other legendary groups like Queen, The Doors and The Rolling Stones we know that music events at the cinema have a fantastic global appeal and we’re very excited to be working with AEG Live to bring Def Leppard’s Viva! Hysteria to our exhibition partners worldwide.”
John Rubey at AEG Live says of the collaboration with More2Screen: “With their reputation as an event cinema distributor with an impressive global reach, we’re looking forward to working with More2Screen to take this monumental rock event from the epic Def Leppard out to their many fans across the world.”
VIVA! Hysteria - US Screening Info
A set list that contains the top-selling album Hysteria performed in its entirety, plus many of the band's greatest hits including Rock of Ages and Photograph.
NCM Fathom Events and AEG Network Live partner to present Def Leppard Viva! Hysteria in a spectacular two night cinema event on Wednesday, October 2 and Tuesday, October 8.
This all-out, no-holds-barred event was captured live over nine nights during the band’s spring residency at The Joint located in the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas and includes a set list from Britain's greatest arena rock band that contains the top-selling album Hysteria performed in its entirety, plus many of the band's greatest hits – Rock of Ages and Photograph among them.
The concert event takes fans on a trippy nostalgic ride of high energy performances mixed with elaborate set design created only for the band’s Las Vegas residency.
Don’t miss the Hysteria when Def Leppard comes to a movie theatre near you!
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