Wappingers Falls/Fishkill, NY - Fan Reviews

Fan Review - By Euka

It was a gorgeous, sunny day. The perfect day for a concert. The setting couldn't have been more beautiful. The stadium is surrounded by trees which made for a gorgeous backdrop for the concert.

I got to the stadium way early & didn't feel like standing in line so I hung out by the buses in hopes of catching a glimpse of the greatest rock band ever. I was able to see Joe, Rick A., Phil & Vivian. Vivian was wearing only blue shorts & flip flops & that's a sight I could have been happy to have lived the rest of my life without seeing. BLECH! Went inside the stadium & parked my ass on the grass, just off the dirty "portafloor" on Vivian's side of the stage & that's where I remained until Def Leppard hit the stage.

Randy Coleman came out to start the show. He wasn't so bad, but when he played "Happy Birthday" to AMERICA, I sensed a collective eye roll from the crowd. It was pretty painful to watch. The only thing he had going for him was that he looked cute from my vantage point, but I checked his website today & learned that I was mistaken. Yuck!

Bryan Adams was next & his set can be summed up in one word: "zzzzz." Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad, just boring as hell. In a perfect world, his set would be just 30 minutes, allowing Def Leppard more time to play & in a more perfect world, he wouldn't be on this tour in the first place. A girl can dream. Once his set ended, I awoke from my slumber. When the infamous *clap* *clap* *stomp* of "We Will Rock You" started, I got up & went to the stage. I got pretty close & then when the band came out, I found myself surrounded by a wall of kids sitting on their parents shoulders. So I moved over until I could see clearly because it's rude to beat children you don't know. I don't understand why the aforementioned parents think their kids are invisible & that we can see right through them. I'm sorry but if the kid can't see, sit in the stands.

I was skeptical about what I'd see because I was present at both the Today Show and Regis & Kelly, & I've heard all the rumors about Joe's ailing voice of late. All my fears were put to rest immediately. Joe sounded great & yes, I know I'm one of Joe's biggest nutswingers, but I'm being honest. Although, at one point during "Women" I saw Joe grimace when he struggled with a high note.

They all looked & sounded great, but I won't get into what they were wearing or not wearing & such. That's not what I was there for. The lights were very colorful and it was cute to see the lights change from red to yellow to green during "PSSOM" when Joe sang the line "...red light, yellow light, green light, go..." I think my favorite was the teal color, but I liked when it went back to white. There's only so much color a girl can take.

At one point, Joe asked the crowd if they were in Wappingers Falls or Fishkill. The crowd responded with Fishkill, & he said "Well... hellooooo Fishkill," since he had already said "Helloooooo Wappingers Falls."

Everything was going great & then it got dark. The bass started & Joe began singing "Rock On." It blew my mind. Seriously, this was the single greatest performance I have ever witnessed from ANY band ever. This was the point where I lost my voice for the night. They really nailed it. Fuck "No Matter What," they should have put "Rock On" on "Rock Of Ages." The rest of the show was fabulous, of course, but much too short. For that, I blame Bryan Adams.

I'd like to thank the band for deleting "MLLAM" & "Two Steps Behind" from the setlist, but please take "Love Bites" & "Let's Get Rocked" off too. I can't stand hearing those songs anymore. Stop treating "Slang" like a red-headed step child & play songs from that damn album. Hell, I'll even take something off "X." Variety is the keyword here people.

I'd like to take this opportunity to address the asshats who thought it'd be a good idea to let kids in free. I hope you rot in the deepest pits of hell. Kids that young do not belong at a rock concert, especially a general admission show where alcohol & weed are present.

To the parents that think it's funny to tease your 6 year old because he's crying from the volume of the music since you wont buy him earplugs, blow me, you unfit pieces of shit. I saw far too many young kids at the show without ear plugs. This irritates me to high hell. That's child abuse, people. Those parents suck.

To the woman who was so drunk, she was hanging on her 10 year old daughter to help get her to the parking lot, you make me sick. I pray to God they took a cab to the show.

After the show, I again hung out by the buses because the parking lot situation was brutal. By the time I got to the bus area, which was probably ten minutes from the end of the show, Rick S, Joe & Vivian were all washed and on their buses. Phil came out a little bit later and he was playing with his daughter. Then Rick A. came out about half an hour after Phil & talked with a group of people before Malvin hurried him along. They got on the bus & drove off into the darkness.

In summary, it was another great show. Anyone who thinks they've lost something can piss off because your opinion is worthless.

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Fan Review - By Barbara Saprette

I was 11 years old when I first heard Def Leppard in 1978, on a bootleg cassette tape that I bought in a record collectors store. It was a live tape of the band when they first start out as a cover band. When I heard this tape I was so impressed by how well this band sounded live. In 1980, was my first live show of Def Leppard at the Palladium, in N.Y. I was 13 yrs. old, this also was the first show Def Leppard played in N.Y. They were opening for AC/DC.

At the show before it started, I had this tall dark haired, young man stand in front of me, and in my head I said "I hope this guy doesn't stand in front of me for the whole show, because I wouldn't be able to see over him and he would ruin my whole night" the young man than turned around after I had said that to myself. He looked down at me who was only 13, and said "HELLO" to me! Than he said "so your here to see the show" I said "yes" he then said to me "well I hope you enjoy the show" and then walked away waving goodbye to me. A few minutes later the lights go down and Def Leppard comes on stage and there's that tall, dark haired guy, low and behold it was our favorite singer Joe!! That evening in my opinion Def Leppard blew AC/DC right off stage!!

So 25 years later, July 3rd,2005 in Wappingerfalls N.Y. I got to the stadium around 2:30pm and a line had already started forming of about 20 people and I got right on line so that I would be able to get up front. Around 4:45pm they had us move in four different lines so they could check our bags. Then they let us in. I headed right to the stage and got front and center. About 6:45pm Randy Coleman came on and did a short acoustic show, then Bryan Adams took the stage. I was so impressed by how well Bryan is live. He did all of his hits from 80's, 90's, and know. After he did the Summer of 69, he ask the audience if they knew what the Summer of 69 meant? The audience then replied The Summer of 69, but then Bryan says "No it means "69". I found Bryan to also have a great sense of humor. Bryan's set ended about 8:45!pm

AND A little after 9pm on the PA We Will Rock You, came on and the crowd got wild and then Leppard came with "Action" it was a great opening. When Joe went to say "Hello". He had to ask the audience were they were in Wappinger Falls or Fishkill, the audience told him Fishkill and Joe then said "Good Evening Fishkill" They did the extended version of "Rocket" which was so awesomely done!! But the whole highlight of the show for me is when the lights went down and then the PA started to play the beginning of "Rock On" by David Essex. Then Joe is on stage by himself and begins to sing the words to the song and continues to sing by himself to almost the end of the song. Then the rest of the band comes out and made an EXCELLENT FINISH!!

They did songs from HYSTERIA ,Women, Animal, Love Bites, Rocket, and Hysteria. They did Rock Of Ages, Photograph, Foolin', and the encore was Bringing On The Heartache, and Pour Some Sugar On Me. One of another big highlight for me is at the end when they were saying goodnight and thank you! Phil came in front of my camera and gave a thumbs up and I captured that moment in a photo!! To sum up the evening just pure excellences!!! If anyone hasn't caught a show I highly recommend that you really consider. It is well worth it!!!!.

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Fan Review - By Wray219

It was great until general public was let in and some young lady decided to sit behind me and lean up against the back of my legs as I stood in front leaning on the railing center stage. To avoid issues with her I relocated. What the heck. I have had front row before and met the band for a second time in CT this year. The show was great. Soundcheck was even better despite Joe resting his voice. I was able to meet a bunch of great fans by being a Raven Drum winner. This whole tour has been a never ending dream come true for a die hard fan. Next show is Atlantic City New Jersey 10/21!!

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