Dallas, TX - Fan Reviews
Fan Review - By Shaz
We arrived to the Smirnoff about a half hour before Styx started and met some very nice people around our area, we were on Phil's side about twelve rows back. Styx started the show off and they were awesome! That guitar was just about the same size as Tommy Shaw, LOL.. but man can that guy play and sing! I thoroughly enjoyed Styx, they were better than I expected, but the crowd really got into it after the first couple of songs. I have to say, I've never felt the love pouring from the stage to the fans as I did during Styx's set. Tommy repeatedly referred to the crowd as "friends" and they even threw out Styx merchandise to the crowd at the encore! That was very cool. How many bands do you know that give away merchandise from the stage? I was very impressed at the musicianship and the "fun" level - it was great! Everyone had a wonderful time and it didn't last long enough for me.
Foreigner - well, there's another story. I was not impressed with them whatsoever. I have to admit I've never stood through a band's set with my arms crossed, bored stiff waiting for them to end. (The exception to that was when the Unband opened for Lep in 2000 but you have to give them a little slack, they were just beginners.) My friend and I couldn't believe it. Granted, they did have sound problems with Mick Jones' guitar, but our biggest complaint was the lead singer. Yes, he did sound somewhat like Lou Gramm, and yes, he was enthusiastic, but he just seemed like a rookie in his performance. And he lost me completely when he picked up the tambourine, and the maracas, and the cowbell...oh my god I'm back in the 60's watching Davy Jones and the Monkees! (I know I'm dating myself but oh well.) I was so happy when it finally ended, it got downright painful for us. OH - let me also mention the bass player - someone needs to tell him that throwing around all that hair ended in the 80's and it isn't fun to watch.
OK, my rant about Foreigner is over. On with the mighty Leps!
They took the stage with a vengeance with Rocket and never let up. Very few breaks in between songs, so it was boom boom boom! Joe is the ultimate front man, and a wonderful contrast to the group that was on just before. Never before was their professionalism more evident to me, and it made me proud to be a Lep fan! They were fantastic! Joe's voice sounded a little shredded, but I think this was the third night in a row that they had performed so I didn't care. Everyone seemed to be in such a great mood, the energy level was very high, and I don't think I've seen Sav singing so much away from the mic as he did that night. Every time he was on our side he was just singing away and smiling, it was so cool!
Speaking of Sav, the bass solo was wonderful. And what a poser! LOL! He ended his bass solo and played the first few notes of the intro to Rock On, and then just stood there, waiting for the crowd to roar. And roar we did! Rock On is one of my favorite live songs, it's just perfect for the stage.
They played the first half of Bringin' On The Heartbreak acoustic, and Joe led the crowd in a sing along during the chorus, altho everyone was singing loudly with the verses. Evidently we impressed Joe with our singing, because he said we were the loudest yet at that part! It gave me chillbumps to hear the crowd sing so loud, and you could tell they were loving every moment of it! And Switch... ahhh what can I say about that?? Guys, you all ROCK!
It was another perfect summer show. I don't think they could improve on any of it, unless it was to just play more songs! One note tho - I think this was the first show I've ever attended where Joe didn't introduce Rick Allen to the crowd. An oversight? I don't know, but it seemed odd. Oh well, we all know and love him anyway. Lep, you looked fabulous, sounded awesome and rocked the house! Dallas loved you!
Fan Review - By Stefanie
Whew, the last Texas show, as soon as it ended I was already thinking about next time! I had the I Love All Access 5-star and our seats were 2 away from the thrust, 5 rows back. Before DL, the couple that were next to it (didn't have ILAA) said they were just going to stay in their seats and let others move closer, I asked, "Well, can I stand there?" and they said "Sure", so I did (thanks a bunch!)
Right up against it, second night in a row, yes! It was much higher than the one at the Woodlands (my favorite show!) but I'd rather be there than *not* be there! Kelly from Foreigner did use it, he walked up and down it a few times. I thought only Lepp were using it, though. Oh well, was cool. They went second, Styx first, different from the first 2 Texas shows. I enjoyed them both for the 3rd time!
Leppard, ahh... I... I, don't know what else to say about them anymore, I'm honestly running out of things to say. They do get better and better. When the guys walked to downstage for the acoustic bit, Vivian was slapping the fans hands along the way, and I got to give him my little Irish charm that I'd been wanting to give him. He actually paused to let me hand it to him, while the other guys were already at their mics! He looked at it, smiled and then walked to the end, but he turned around and said to me laughing "I don't have pockets! Give it to me later!", and gave it back to me. Phil turned around to see what he was doing, saw me, and smiled, (yeah he saw me all three nights!) LoL, sorry guys for holding Viv back! At the end of the show, Vivian did remember. When he came to me, he held out his hand so I could give it to him, and he smiled at it. It meant a lot to me that he remembered. Finally, I got rid of that thing! If I had to keep it for one more year....!
Another thing that totally rocked, Joe looked right at me during a song, and sang a line to me...what song was it? Of all the songs in the set.....Mirror Mirror. He saw ME sing the lyrics word for word! "Mirror, Mirror, hangin' there with that crack in your eye...." Yes, Joe, I know the song!!! Haha, that was great! For doing 4 nights in a row - 2 days off - then 3 nights in a row here in Texas, I think his voice sounded really good. They all did an awesome job!
The place was so jam packed and crazy I thought the roof was gonna blow off a few times, amazing audience. The Heartbreak chorus sing-along was SOOOOO good, I know the band was impressed! Dallas always rocks!
The fans waited by the buses after the concert. It seemed like a lot, maybe a few left after a while, though, not sure. I was there, waiting, but I was taking a nap, LoL, was tired, I told my mom, wake me if anyone comes out, Haha. At around 12:30, Vivian did come over to us!! I heard everyone cheering so I opened my eyes, jumped out of the truck and grabbed my bag. I was so surprised but thrilled!! He signed my DL leather purse on the back, in the middle, and a photo I took of him on the YEAH tour. It was a nice little moment with him. He's wonderful! Even though it was my 4th time meeting him, I was still kind of nervous when we were face-to-face, but he put me at ease, and he made me laugh! [I think his mind was in the gutter when I talked to him ;) ] It was great before, during, and after the show. No better way to spend a Saturday night.
Going back to class the following Tuesday was difficult; I didn't want to start studying again, I wanted to keep thinking about the concerts! All 3 nights were spectacular. They rocked us on this 'playing just for the hell of it' tour! ;) I can't thank them enough!
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