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Friday, 6th June 2008
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Solvesborg, Sweden 2008 - Media Reviews

Def Leppard By Erika

"It's not a matter of trying to top the last performance we did here. It's a continuation, we need to keep up what we're doing. Like the bands in the 70's, they were touring every year." Joe Elliot felt somewhat superior and nonchalant behind the microphone just to start babbling enthusiastic the next second, at the same time as Phil Collen sometimes too. "And now we have a new album with new songs out too, that we add to the set"

This was one of the bands I was looking forward to the most on this festival. I counted them out totally last time and they proved me wrong then. Now I actually charged myself with a lot of classic DEF LEPPARD while packing for the festival. This night my expectations were high, and got boosted by the positive attitude (yes, overall they appeared very happy and charming) from Joe and Phil on the press conference. Unfortunately, sometimes plans get ruined by this and that. I messed this up myself because of a little too many rounds to the bar. But I sure as hell enjoyed the concert anyway. It's just that the details weren't that clear afterwards. I can just remember the feelings of having seen a great band. I mean, how can it fail to drink a lot of beer, listen to songs I grew up with, and bawl to the music with good friends. All of a sudden, the feeling of being the only one in the dark not getting asked to dance comes over me. "Love Bites" was a huge hit on the discos and parties when I was 13 or so and I was always the one sitting in the corner looking at the popular girls swirling on the dance floor. The funny thing was, mentioning this the next day all of us have had exactly the same feeling and it turned out hilarious.

Perhaps, my words here shouldn't be written in stone but I can't find anything to complain on with DEF LEPPARD. The sound was good, maybe a little more volume but else was fine. Joe's voice sounded great the whole time and Phil Collen can probably compete with Dough Aldrich on who has the nicest abs. Of course, it would have been cool if they've played more from the first three albums since those are my favorites, maybe next time. Because I really hope I get another chance to see them without that many rounds to the bar!

By Metal-Temple 2008.


Sweden Rock Festival - Friday 6 June 2008 Solvesborg, Sweden By rockersdigest

With their new album, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, Def Leppard really appear to be back on track after a number of sub-standard releases that have struggled to live up to the legacy of Hysteria. The band have not tried to replicate their well known slick sound, but have condensed it, with a modern edge, into shorter highly catchy songs. The three aired tonight go down well with the Sweden Rock crowd. The next single C'mon C'mon bounces along like a contemporary take on 1970s Gary Glitter. Nine Lives, the first single and collaboration with country star Tim McGraw is already very familiar, meanwhile Bad Actress is a burst of energetic fun.

Unlike Whitesnake however, Def Leppard wisely know that at a festival you're playing to a wider crowd than your die-hard fans and the best route to take is to hit them with the hits. That's exactly what they did and even the casual fan would be pushed to not know the bulk of the set. Setting aside C'mon C'mon which is about to be released, only Mirror Mirror and Bad Actress from the setlist have not been released as a single.

Def Leppard are experienced pro's at shows of this size and easily prove that tonight. Joe Elliot used the whole stage and ensured he connected with all areas of the crowd. Meanwhile it was not long before Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell were shirtless, pleasing the ladies and making many blokes wish they had their physiques. Especially impressive given their 50 and 45 years respectively.

Of the three headliners, Def Leppard easily took the honours at this year's Sweden Rock.

By rockersdigest 2008.

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