Lincoln, NE - Media Reviews

Def Leppard gives the people what they want By L. Kent Wolgamott

Back in the '80s, arena rock bands patrolled the land, filling the era's largest venues with fans eager to hear their radio-friendly hard rockers and power ballads.

They were back at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Sunday where 10,000-plus gathered to sing along and shake their fists to a three-band bill that very easily could have taken place in 1987.

Topping the bill was Def Leppard, which shifted from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal to become one of the most successful of the arena rockers, selling 10 million copies of 1983's "Pyromania" and 12 million of 1987's "Hysteria."

Not surprisingly, that album was well represented -- and effectively performed by the veteran quintet.

But the band unveiled a song from its forthcoming album, a harmony- and hook-filled chugger called "Let's Go" that demonstrated, if nothing else, that it isn't just a nostalgia act.

In fact, Def Leppard was as good as I've ever seen Sunday. Joe Elliott was in fine voice -- and can still hit all the notes. The harmonies made the ballads soar. The guitars were thick, powerful and in the leads of Phil Collen, biting and flying.

From "Foolin'" to "Armageddon It," through the throbbing cover of "Rock On" and Elliott's solo acoustic singalong of "Two Steps Behind," the punch of "Rock It" and the balladry of "Bringing on the Heartache," to the run of hits that closed the show more than an hour and a half later, Def Leppard delivered just what the crowd came to hear.

Preceding Def Leppard was Foreigner, back in Lincoln less than a year after it played the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

This time, founding member Mick Jones was with the band, which was in its natural environment -- where Kelly Hansen's moves and vocals and the well-delivered familiar riffs connected with the audience that sang every hit from "Double Vision" to "Hot Blooded" about an hour later.

As is the case every show, Foreigner was joined by a choir on "I Want to Know What Love Is." The Lincoln Southeast choir performed admirably.

Night Ranger opened with 40 minutes of their best-known material, plus a Damn Yankees number courtesy of bassist/singer Jack Blades.

By Lincoln Journal Star 2015.

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Def Leppard rumbles through hit after hit By Kevin Coffey

Backed by a punishing thunder of guitars and drums, the arena rock gods of Def Leppard played a hit-filled set for more than 10,000 fans Sunday.

A packed Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln responded with roaring cheers and plenty of love for the British heavy metal band, one of the best selling acts of all time.

With the volume cranked and every bass drum stomp reverberating through your chest, you experienced "Animal" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me" as much as you heard them.

"Good evening, Lincoln, Nebraska," said lead singer Joe Elliott, as he surveyed the crowd. "This is a big… place, this is."

As the band worked through its bevy of hits — "Rocket," "Hysteria," "Love Bites" and Bringin' on the Heartbreak" among them — Elliott was an engaging frontman that led the band through its thundering charge.

Bodybuilder/lead guitarist Phil Collen was fun to watch as he ripped through tons of riffs and runs. One-armed drummer Rick Allen might be better than his fully-limbed peers. And guitarist Vivian Campbell and bassist Rick Savage are the backbone of the band's biggest and most recognizable riffs.

It seems like Def Leppard is responsible for every fifth song on classic rock radio. The 90-minute show was like being pounded in the head with your favorite tunes from the '80s, if you were a metal head, that is.

When it was time for Def Leppard to take the stage, they did so to a roar of applause.

Greeted by more than 10,000 — probably some who saw them play the Civic Auditorium on 1983's "Pyromania" tour — the band tore through song after rumbling song.

Only one tune, "Let's Go," was new. It's off the band's forthcoming, self-titled album, and its hooky chorus and plentiful guitar solos fit right in with the band's massive catalog.

Def Leppard is the rare glam-metal band that has a consistent musical output and that can still draw massive crowds. And even rarer still is the band's lineup, which mostly hasn't changed since its most successful run in the '80s.

For any longtime fan, Sunday's show was a treat.

By Omaha World-Herald 2015 - read the full review via the link.

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