Lakewood, NJ - Fan Reviews

Fan Review - By Nicole

This is Nicole reporting back to you from the Lakewood Show. I arrived precisely at 1pm to find that others had my idea of getting there early and sitting and waiting. Well, after two VERY large bottles of water and a glimpse of Joe Elliott walking past us later, and about ten minutes after 5:30, the gates opened up and I made a mad dash for the stage. I got to the front of the stage on Sav and Viv's side. Well, we stood there for about an hour and out came opening act Randy Coleman, who was very, very, very good I might add. Then we waited a few more minutes and the tell-tale song of the Leps' arrival to the stage, the ever incredible Queen song "We Will Rock You," was playing.

First onto the stage and wearing shorts and a t-shirt was Thunder God Rick Allen. Then out came Joe Elliott, loud mouth extraordinaire (haha!), followed by constantly shirtless axe man Phil Collen and pal Vivian Campbell and then by Bass Master Rick "Sav" Savage. The first thing out of Joe's mouth was "It's Raining and So Fucking What?!" Darn right and right into "Action" we all went.

Quipping more, the boys broke into "Let's Get Rocked." When Joe finally stepped onto the lower stage, he quipped, "You all want to see me fall on my fucking arse." Well, not to sound mean or cruel or anything, but that would've been a sight to see. Ha ha! Joe falling and me giggling my ass off on the other end.

They rocked on with all our favourite Lep tunes like "Foolin'," "Promises," and "Armageddon It." But what made this show even more phenomenal was getting to hear for the second time (First time was in Atlantic City on Aug. 23, 2003) "No Matter What." I love it more now than I did then. Whoo hoo! Then I heard their version of "Blue Jean Baby Queen" (Is that the name of it??) and I am very, very impressed with the Leps and them keeping to the song and making it as if it were their own.

My uncle, who is a drummer and Rick Allen is one of his heroes, had an equally good time but had to cover his face because some nudge had a joint lit and I was getting a contact high from the smoke so it was apparently very nearby. Anyways, moving on, they played "Love Bites," which is a very special song to me because they played it at my Senior Prom in 1999. Always will love that song.

They ended the set with the title track "Rock of Ages" and were soon back out to thrill us some more with "Bringin' on the Heart Break" and the legendary song "Pour Some Sugar on Me." When they left after "Rock of Ages," I was thinking "Hey! You five better get back here and play 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' or else!" Thank heavens they did! After the show, Joe asked us all "Don't Forget Us and We Won't Forget You! Thank You!"

Indeed, a concert worth remembering. My uncle said, and I quote, "Def Leppard has Marilyn Manson beat. After all these years, they put on one helluva show." I couldn't agree more. Well, this is Nicole from New Jersey and now on my way to recover my hearing and my voice.

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Fan Review - By Yonkel

I knew coming in that tonight Def Leppard would be opening. That actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Randy Coleman kicked things off with a few songs (he was very good) amidst some light rain. By the time the Leps hit the stage it was coming down pretty well, but it didn't deter any of the large group of fans down front and center.

Leppard rocked hard, and Joe really sounded great. I was a little unimpressed with the setlist; the whole thing was basically 'greatest hits' and the only additional song, Action, was one that I'm really not crazy about. However, they ripped through the best of their catalog with ease, and had the crowd singing along with every word. The guys all looked great and sounded like they were having a blast. Can't wait for next time!.

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Fan Review - By Laurie

First of all, may I say that the Leps crew should be commended for being one of the best! The sound was great and the lighting was great (once it got dark enough to use it). But when Bryan Adams came on, I could only last through half of his performance. The sound was deafening and the lighting was blinding! I had to put napkins in my ears to even tolerate it. My friend put on her sunglasses because the lights were so blinding.

The Leps were awesome, as usual. But then again, I am VERY partial and find it hard to say a bad word about them! Family environment or not, Joe did not hold his tongue, so I was surprised when he didn't change the words in Let's Get Rocked like he always used to do! The rain did not hold off, so we got a little wet, but I didn't care. I hadn't seen them live since 2000, so nothing was going to dampen my spirit!

Set list in no particular order...just as I remember what songs were performed: Action, Let's Get Rocked, Rock of Ages, Foolin, Photograph, Promises, Rocket, Women, Armageddon It, Animal, Love Bites, PSSOM, No Matter What, Rock On (or Blue Jean Baby Queen...not sure of the actual title - but an awesome cover - I am so looking forward to this album - oh and Joe's voice sounded phenomenal during this song), BOTHB, Hysteria. The Leps looked and sounded incredible and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Laurie - Originally from New Jersey, Now living in West Virginia, But traveled home just to see the Leps.

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Fan Review - By NJDEVL

First off, I'd like to say that this whole ballpark thing sucks! I hope DL never plays in a ballpark again. It was a sold out show and it felt like the joint was half full. Way to much open space. Now onto the setlist. I've seen every DL show in nj/ny since 1996. I'm getting tired of the same songs over and over. They are out to promote Rock Of Ages and really did play anything to support this album. The second disc is really the new album but nothing was played that they normally don't. How about songs like Rock Brigade, Billy got a gun and Work it out? These are the songs that should be in the set. I give this show a 5 out of 10.

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