Boston/Mansfield, MA - Media Reviews
Def Leppard rock Massachusetts with Heart By Rory Flynn
It was a flashback to the 80's on Thursday night as Def Leppard hit the Comcast Center in Mansfield and took a trip down memory lane with help from Heart. Both bands played to the crowd's nostalgic feeling with greatest hits dominating their respective set-lists, sparking sing-along after sing-along.
Def Leppard, who played the role of headliner, opened their set by going straight to their one and only new song of the night, "Undefeated". Truth be told, the bonus track to the band's new live album Mirrorball is an infectious rocker that is structured in the same way as the rest of their hits. And for that, it was a seamless flow into fan favorites "Let's Get Rocked" and "Animal". The rest of the 90-minute set was a showcase of the British rocker's best material, mostly that of 1983's Pyromania and 1987's Hysteria. Despite the show's predictability, it was perfectly fine for the undersized but devoted following who barely filled the seats inside the shed.
Frontman Joe Elliot still works the stage well and his vocals held up equally as strong, though they were slightly strained by the end of the night. With a parade of hits from power ballad "Love Bites" to rocker "Hysteria", Elliot was aided by lively sing-alongs from the crowd. Guitarists Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen (shirtless, of course) were a duel threat, leading the charge throughout the show. While each enjoyed solos of their own, the two came together for a thrilling duel on "Rocket". Bassist Rick Savage, who truly still looks like an 80's rock star, delivered an extended solo before the band delivered a cover of David Essex's "Rock On". Drummer Rick Allen's moment to shine came during the instrumental "Switch 625". Using a multitude of foot pedals with ease, Allen still inspires fans over 25 years since the amputation of his left arm.
Midway through the show, each of the band members (except for Allen) made their way to the end of the catwalk that ran through the center of crowd. Unplugged, the group delivered a stripped-down take on "Two Steps Behind". Starting acoustically and finishing electrically, Def Leppard followed up with "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" off their 1981 sophomore album High 'n' Dry.
"Photograph", complete with a video montage of the band's history, ignited a massive sing-along before the crowd exploded for their signature hit and main-set closer, "Pour Some Sugar on Me". Returning for a one-song encore, Elliot thanked the crowd and declared, "And this is why we keep coming back!". The band then brought the night to a close with "Rock of Ages".
Heart's hour-long set was powered by a diverse 12-song set that culled material from throughout the band's 35-year history. While their bandmates have changed many times over through the years, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson remain the heart and soul of the band. Ann's vocal range remains their greatest asset and it was on full display with sings like "You're the Voice" and "Alone". For her part, Nancy took the lead for "These Dreams" but mostly provided solo backing vocals and harmonies.
While the first half of their set featured a few of their 80's hits including the power ballad "What About Love", Heart really hit their full stride and brought fans to their feet during the second half of the show. After a less than impressive run through the harder edged "WTF" off their most recent album 2010's Red Velvet Car, Heart hit the crowd with a triple shot of their best songs from the late 70's: "Magic Man", "Crazy On You" and "Barracuda". "Crazy On You", featuring Nancy’s signature acoustic intro, was particularly impressive. "Barracuda" brought the main set to a rocking close, before the band returned after a lengthy break (an awkward move as many fans made their way to the concessions or bathrooms) for an encore cover of the Led Zeppelin classic "What Is and What Should Never Be".
By Boston Music Spotlight 2011.
Def Leppard takes Comcast Center on a fist-pumping trip back in time By Sarah Rodman
Their hair may be shorter and frontman Joe Elliott has retired his high kicks, but last night at the Comcast Center, Def Leppard proved that just about everything that matters about them musically remains intact. (As do the abdominal muscles of reliably shirtless guitarist Phil Collen.)
Powered by the still vital scream of Elliott and the twin guitar attack of Collen and Vivian Campbell, the British quintet - who rode a mighty wave in the 1980s by dressing up irresistible pop melodies in stacked harmonies, fist-pumping, just-hard-enough rock riffage, and a Union Jack - hit the stage with a mission to crank out the hits, have a good time, and help an eager crowd engage in 90 minutes of time travel.
The quintet sidestepped the usual restroom/concession stand exodus that greets new material by opening with a new tune, the rousing Burundi-beat based "Undefeated" - from its recent live album - whose montage of famous sports victors and tragedy survivors concluded with an homage to their own drummer Rick Allen, who has indeed triumphed over adversity.
Then with exuberance and consistent grins, they dropped the dime in the jukebox and powered through just about everything anyone in the roughly two-thirds capacity crowd probably wanted to hear, including "Bringin on the Heartbreak" - done in an acoustic segment with "Two Steps Behind" - a head-banging-worthy take on "Foolin," the power balladry of "Love Bites," and the so-silly-just-enjoy-it whomp of "Armageddon It."
They shut it down with the one-two punch of the sticky sweet raunch pop of "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and the "more cowbell!" mania of "Rock of Ages."
In a stroke of classic-rock-booking alchemy, the Seattle-spawned sister act Heart was chosen as an opener and proved equally satisfying in their 65-minute set. Ann Wilson's still got it, and she used it to wail through the band's own estimable catalog of hits-including "Barracuda," "Magic Man," and "Alone" - and a spirited encore on Led Zeppelin's "What Is And What Should Never Be."
By The Boston Globe 2011.
Def Leppard shows its 'Ages' By Jim Sullivan
"Rock of Ages," a gentle spoof and celebration of '80s hair metal and hard rock, was a hit musical on Broadway and in Boston. Next year, it will be a movie starring Tom Cruise and Russell Brand. But if you wanted to experience the real deal - the source, if you will - you would have been among the 6,000 people at Comcast Center on Thursday.
Because Def Leppard, the band that wrote the song "Rock of Ages" and closed the 90-minute concert with it, was among us, a dinosaur still stalking the earth 34 years after formation. (Incidentally, "Rock of Ages" isn't performed during the musical; the producers couldn't secure rights.)
Britain's Def Leppard hails from an era when mainstream arena rockers didn't wear cowboy hats, when they were actually more rock than country. The band is mostly intact. Drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in an auto accident (1984) and guitarist Steve Clark overdosed (1991), to be replaced by Vivian Campbell. Lead singer Joe Elliott has packed on a few pounds, but his voice is fine. Bare-chested guitarist Phil Collen (who replaced the fired Pete Willis in 1982) is fit and trim, if balding. Bassist Rick Savage still looks the rock-star part.
Looks may not be that crucial, but when the backing screen had a Leppard photo montage during "Photograph," you couldn't help but compare the young men onscreen to the older folks onstage. It contributed to the sense that if this music was once fresh, it's become formulaic and redundant over time.
Though they started with a new one, "Undefeated," it was all very '80s, with songs from "Pyromania" and "Hysteria" dominating. Def Leppard plays melodic, sugary hard rock with Simple Simon lyrics. The pop hooks, emphasized by frequent vocal harmonies, are easily digestible. The guitar licks are modestly aggressive, but never over-the-top.
There is, though, no nuance - and there are no surprises. Put it this way: Def Leppard will never take you to places you haven't seen or heard before. They really like songs with "rock" in it - "Let's Get Rocked," a heavy cover of David Essex's "Rock On," "Rocket," and, of course, "Rock of Ages." Their "wildness" is self-contained. There's a fair amount of Spinal Tap in Def Leppard, a band as resolutely middlebrow as they come.
Heart's 65-minute opening set demonstrated the band's two modes: hard rocker and power ballad. Give guitarist Nancy Wilson and sister, singer Ann Wilson, credit for carving new turf for female rockers back in the day, then give them extra credit for playing a couple of new ones before playing "Magic Man," "Crazy on You" and "Barracuda."
By Boston Herald 2011.
Heart and Def Leppard-Comcast Center in Mansfield MA By Melissa
Last night I attended the Heart and Def Leppard Mirrorball Tour Concert with my sister and my mother. Although the place was not filled, there was a big audience. It was my first time seeing both bands live and it was one of the best concerts I've been to! Both of these bands careers hit peaks in the '80s but still continue to record new material. With two amazing sets they proved that they still have just as much energy as they did then.
Heart first came to fame in the '70s, waned in popularity in the early ’80s but then made an even bigger comeback later in the decade. Heart's greatest hits include "Crazy On You", "Magic Man", "Barracuda", "What About Love?", and "Alone". All of these songs were played in addition to others including the single "WTF" from their latest album, Red Velvet Car. Their encore song was a cover of Led Zeppelin's "What Is And What Should Never Be". What amazed me the most about their performance was that the Wilson sisters' skills have not diminished in any way. Nancy can still play guitar better than most and Ann can still hit those amazing notes she is known for.
Def Leppard was formed in late '70s and was quickly considered one of the leading bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Some of their most well known songs are "Bringin' On the Heartbreak", "Armageddon", "Animal", "Photograph", "Rock of Ages", "Love Bites", "Rocket", "Foolin'" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me". All of these were included in their set along some of their other hits and a David Essex cover. "Pour Some Sugar On Me" was their encore. Although the band members may have been jumping around a little less than they may have back in the '80s, they still put on a high energy show that had the whole audience singing along.
Perhaps what stuck with me most was the fact that there was a great range of ages when it came to audience members. Even those who were not as familiar with some of the bands’ material enjoyed themselves. It's too bad that hard economic times prevented the venue from selling out. Heart and Def Leppard are truly two great bands that can be enjoyed by whole families.
By Metalosophy 2011.
Def Leppard & Heart at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA By TWRY Staff
Ahhhh summer time! Every summer of every year we wait with bated breath for the release of the summer concert schedule. Maybe you have a favorite act that tours every summer that you never miss, maybe it’s a band who hasn’t toured in ages or MAYBE two of rocks timeless classics join up for a juggernaut of a tour and the decision is already made up for you – enter the Heart and Def Leppard tour.
Whatever era of Heart you enjoy most, you get the best of both the 70’s and 80’s with this sister act. Ann and Nancy Wilson, the driving force behind the band since their heyday, still lead the ship, and a rocking one at that. You sing along no matter if it’s “Magic Man “or “Alone” because they are great, iconic, rock songs that helped define their particular eras. Def Leppard has a similar connection with their classic hard rock songs from 81-83 with releases High N’ Dry and Pyromania and then a more commercial rock sound with Hysteria from 1987 and onward that produced a ton of hit singles and made them one of the biggest band on the planet. Again you catch yourself singing along to all of their hits regardless of which era you prefer, at least this is how this show ended up for me. It was a huge sing-a-long of fun, power ballads, dancing girls in my row, finger pointing at Nancy during “Never” (not sure what finger pointed back at me but that’s ok Nancy!), air guitar playing along with Phil during “Animal” – this show had it all and get’s full “80’s Guy for the Modern Eye” stamp of high approval!
If Ann Wilson isn’t one of top female vocalists of all time, I don’t know who is. She simply sets the bar and sets it high. At 62 she sounds better than ever and has lost ZERO range over time. How is that humanly possible? She’s an enigma. I found myself (when not singing along) just shaking my head saying…”man how did she reach that note?” (Note to Ann: why doesn’t Heart throw in “Almost Paradise” into the set? It’s one of your best vocal performances ever and an 80’s classic from the Footloose Soundtrack. Hell, can’t you get some dude, maybe even me, to wear a headband and mouth the Mike Reno part? Just an idea.) The show started off with a few vintage 70’s tunes in the form of “Cook With Fire” and “Heartless” and you had the feeling the band meant business by wasting NO time getting the crowd worked up for the next five tunes, all huge 80’s, hits starting with “Never” and ending with “Alone”. This is the part of the set where Nancy really shines. She also hops, skips, jumps, jams and adds terrific harmonies and even lead vocals (“These Dreams”) to her repertoire. The stage had a small catwalk which led out to the crowd not far from my row and during “Never” Nancy happened to be out at the end during part of the chorus and she had to have had a clear shot of me (maybe 5-6 rows from that point of the stage) pointing to her like Uncle Sam (complete with Heart Leave it to Cleavage t-shirt) and I think she flipped me off..with a smile of course! Rebel rocker! I think that just propelled her to the top of my all time rock chick list. Anyway, the set ended with crowd favorites “Magic Man”, ‘Crazy on You” and “Barracuda”. Each song better than the next and the set ended with a fantastic cover of the Led Zeppelin classic “What Is and What Should Never Be”, just in case you still had any questions about Ann’s vocal chops. Heart still has a ton of energy and and their enthusiasm is infectious, you could feel it throughout the venue. Would I be willing to see this band again soon..in a ‘Heart’beat!
Def Leppard is out in support of Mirrorball: Live and More and opened the set with “Undefeated” one of the three new tracks included on the new record. The song has grown on me since first hearing it and came off much better live (heavier with more gusto) than the studio version. Creating the set list for this band has to be tough nowadays with eleven studio records under their belts and one live/studio album. Will you hear anything from Slang, Euphoria, X, Yeah! or Songs from The Sparkle Lounge? Only “Rock On”, the David Essex cover (from the 2006 Yeah! cover album) was included in the set. The current set pulls mostly from their earlier pioneering releases Pyromania and Hysteria, and why not with total album sales well into the millions. I guess if I had a small criticism it would be to possibly throw in a song or two from past albums that fans may not expect or have heard in a few years. Drop “Love Bites”, “Rocket” “Armageddon It” and add ‘Billy’s Got A Gun”, “Ride Into The Sun” and “I Wanna Be Your Hero”..but that’s just me.
After watching the entire show from beginning to end the real glue that holds this band together (at least live on stage) is Phil Collen. I don’t think he gets enough credit just in terms of what he brings to the stage as far as his energy, his charisma and of course his monster guitar playing. I don’t want to state the obvious and proclaim that Vivian Campbell is a great guitar player, because he is, but he’s not needed in this band. As much as I like him and the many other projects he has played with over the years he brings very little to the table on stage with Def Leppard. I may get flack for writing this but whether it’s done with intent or not Campbell could be replaced and nobody would care or maybe even realize it.
Highlights in the set include “Animal”, “Foolin”, ‘Switch 625”, “Hysteria” and “Photograph” which I think gets the crowd moving more than any other song in the set. I may get additional flack for saying this as well but “Pour Some Sugar on Me” is tired and needs to be put to rest for a bit. I realize it’s a huge hit but its popular for all the wrong reasons. Mostly drunken female fans who only know 2 or 3 songs in the set and wouldn’t know “High N Dry” unless it was a new shot or mixed drink offered up at the bar. That’s what I like least about a Def Leppard concert. I don’t mean to be overly critical of the entire night because Joe Elliot was better vocally than I thought he’d be and was light years better than the last time I saw the band a few years ago touring with Journey. Savage and Allen still team up for a great rhythm section and Savage ads a lot to the harmonies as well. Def Leppard still gives 100% in terms of their stage show, lights and overall presentation. Larger than life..which is what arena rock is all about. If they could match that with a larger than life set list, maybe we’d have something here.
By TheyWillRockYou 2011.
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