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Two Steps Behind their fans: Review of Def Leppard Live in Singapore By The Straits Times
For fans of British rock band Def Leppard, time has no adverse impact on loyalty. If anything, the 19-year wait following their last Singapore outing had only served to strengthen their ardent devotion, as evidenced at their latest show on Tuesday evening.
For those who had attended the previous concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium back in 1996, this was a homecoming of sorts. For younger, newer enthusiasts, this was a long-awaited chance to see the Sheffield rockers in the flesh.
When they appeared around 8.30pm, it was hysteria, to borrow the title of their 12-time platinum 1987 fourth studio album. The 7,000-strong crowd, ranging from those in their 20s to older fans, predictably went wild.
On their part, Def Leppard knew which side of their bread is buttered. Although touring in support of their newest and self-titled album, released just last month, the guys recognised that it is their biggest commercial triumphs from their 1980s and 1990s hair-band heyday that keep the fans happy.
After opening with Let's Go from the latest record, their setlist comprised almost all their major hits, from Animal and Love Bites (both 1987) to Rock Of Ages (1983).
But the band's success, it must be acknowledged, does not hinge on nostalgia factor alone (although at times, quite happily, to be fair, one felt like one was indeed in a 1980s music video).
The quintet - comprising lead vocalist Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell and drummer Rick Allen - proved to be in top form throughout the 90-minute show.
All in their 50s, they commanded the stage easily and displayed excellent musicianship. Guitarist Collen even spent much of the show shirtless, showing off an enviable six-pack that would put those half his age to shame as he shredded killer guitar solos.
Elliott's vocals have held up wonderfully over the decades, ringing out strong and clear particularly during ballads Two Steps Behind (from 1996's Slang) and When Love And Hate Collide (1995), both crowd favourites that resulted in massive singalongs that virtually shook the arena.
Speaking of the venue, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre might do well to ease up on its restrictions in future. Many were unaware that food and drinks were not allowed in the concert hall, and were left either chugging down beers in the foyer or with unused drink coupons when the show started.
Still, by the time the first notes of the anthemic Pour Some Sugar On Me (1987) rang out, any hitches were put out of mind.
"Do ya wanna get rocked?" Elliot famously growls during the opening strains of a song off 1992's Adrenalize album.
On Tuesday night, fans most certainly did.
By The Straits Times 2015.
Def Leppard slays with ultimate hard rock assault, 38 years on By Aloysius Lim
The 80s may seem further away with each passing year, no doubt reinforced by the fact that remnants of 90 culture is considered "vintage" now, but some of the acts that birthed or thrived in that period are still keeping it going. Despite the pitfalls of the post-peak periods that consume the best of artists, a band like Def Leppard raises a big middle finger to that.
Conceived in Britain and still remaining popular around the world, Def Leppard are equally representative of the joys and excesses that make up the pop-culture zeitgeist of the 80s. They're uninhibitedly fun, and their tireless predictability has only gotten themselves etched into the minds of every hard rock fan that populated arenas during that decade.
Their show in Singapore, their second after a glorious live debut in 1996, was a fine example of that, and these fans turned up in droves to show their unending support in a large hall located in Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, culminating in an attendance of 7000 rabid Def Leppard devotees.
Starting at about half an hour after the initial stated timing of 8pm — a common occurrence at a rock concert, no doubt — the first song of the night was already enough evidence of Def Leppard's unhinged rock'n'roll attitude, refined by decades of touring. They reeked of careful abandon, the kind of attitude you would attribute to a band simply having fun onstage.
They're not bent on taking over the world as they were in the 80s, they're just set on creating the perfect party atmosphere for their fans, many of them who've grown up with the five-piece band.
Vocalist Joe Elliott's main asset holds up jaw-droppingly well, able to hit the high notes when necessary, without the need for showboating. The same can't be said for guitarist Phil Collen, who was more than happy to perform most of the show topless, six-pack in tow.
Their drummer Rick Allen also remains as one of rock's biggest success stories, continuing to perform without his left arm for a good 30 years (and counting) and forever an integral element of what makes 80s rock music unique (that cavernous snare!).
Of course, their most memorable songs were littered throughout the night, with the band unleashing 'Hysteria', 'Let's Get Rocked', 'Animal' and 'Rock of Ages' to deafening cheers. When it came to 'Pour Some Sugar On Me', the Suntec hall turned into one massive karaoke session — without the awkward silence that comes with your friend failing at replicating Elliott's revered falsetto.
Even as the band continues to focus on their biggest hits with every setlist, with a new album also released in October, Def Leppard's spirit remains eternally lit as the life of the party. And with their second show here a raging success with fans, it's not hard to see why.
By Bandwagon 2015.
In an extraordinary first for a rock concert in South East Asia, the packed concert hall on the sixth floor of the Suntec Building was cold, so good was the air conditioning in the building.
Also adding to the feeling of well being was the great organization by the concert hall staff, all of which augured well for a good night.
Def Leppard did not disappoint getting the whole place jumping and warmed up right from opening number 'Let's Go' from their new self titled album. But this was Def Leppard's first concert in Singapore in nineteen years so apart from one more from the latest album, the rocker 'Dangerous' this was all we got from the new album as the greatest hits rolled out the cannon like a rock n' roll broadside.
Centre stage was Def Leppard's frontman and ring master Joe Eliott leading the way with a perfect pair of rock n' roll pipes, often walking down the central ramp to sing from the middle of the audience.
Either side of him was the bare chested Phil Collen whose guitar playing was as sinewy as his muscle bound chest, then on stage left was Vivian Campbell by no means playing second fiddle to Collen but blasting out his own intros and lead breaks.
Because these two have been playing together now for twenty three years, Campbell joining the band in 1992, they are perhaps at their best when playing together.
Stalking the main stage was Rick Savage on bass guitar nailing every song to the stage. These guys would often rock down the ramps to join the audience as well. Then at the back was the god of rock n' roll thunder - drummer Rick Allen belting out the rhythm of each song with measured violence.
The band were rocking. Second number up 'Animal' had the Singaporean audience singing along and by 'Armageddon It' things had really begun to bounce - and when I say bounce I really mean bounce - the whole floor timbers were bouncing up and down.
This was reminiscent of the days at the Glasgow Apollo when the balcony used to bounce up and down terrifyingly to the likes of Status Quo and AC/DC. Well now Def Leppard hold that honour at the Suntec Convention Centre.
Next up came the only cover of the night, the David Essex song 'Rock On' from 1974. Not a song I liked then, but in Def Leppard's paws it is a whole different animal with a bottom end bass intro from Rick Savage.
The song takes on a life of its own, unrecognizable from the tinny glam rock song of afore - this is as Heavy Metal as Def Leppard get. One of many highlights.
Next came Joe Elliott's solo spot, just him, an Acoustic Guitar and some amusing banter, where he led the crowd through a sing-along version of 'Two Steps Behind'. If he had them eating out of his palms before this, now he simply had them bowing to the altar of rock n' roll.
From here on out the Def Leppard animal just roared from 'Rocket' to 'Let's Get Rocked'. We were all in serious danger of joining the fifth floor. During the song 'Hysteria' there was a marvelous montage of photos of the band over the years which nearly tore your eyes off the band themselves (but not quite).
It is worth mentioning that the lighting, side screens and backdrops had all been top notch during the whole show, as well as a crisp, clear and loud sound mix.
Last song of the set was 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'. Although the whole audience had been word perfect in singing along with the Leps to this point almost as if the whole crowd had been rehearsing for weeks.
On 'Pour Some Sugar…' they simply took over and it was very questionable who was louder, the band or the audience, as both in harmony thrashed their way through every syllable. From where I was standing the Audience won. Marginally.
Of course there was just time to test the floorboards once again with a brace of classics in 'Rock of Ages' and a jammed out 'Photograph'.
The band seemed happy with their reception and there was not a man, woman or child that did not leave the arena without a huge great big Leppard smile on their faces. Come back soon Def Leppard.
By Metal Talk 2015.
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