Media Review -- How was it for you? - Joe Elliott Says By Kerrang

"How can you describe a gig in which there's 11,000 people screaming every word back at you? It's an amazing honour. In this online age, it's fantastic to see how live music still brings people together. I've known David Coverdale for years, and while there's no rivalry between us and Whitesnake, coming on after them makes us feel that we're one-nil down at halftime and simply have to raise our game every night."
By Kerrang! 2008.

Media Review -- Def Leppard and Whitesnake, NEC Arena By Andy Colman

TWO of the biggest names in rock squared up in a value for money gig that had a packed NEC calling for more.

After a tasty warm up by Kentucky boys Black Stone Cherry, David Coverdale and Whitesnake were the first into the ring.

Bravely opening with Best Years, the opening track from their new Good To Be Bad album, DC and his merry men soon had the place rockin' as they mixed old and new songs.

Marking their 30th anniversary, the audience were soon singing along to the likes of Fool For Your Loving, Love Ain't No Stranger and Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City. And newies such as Can You Hear The Wind Blow and Lay Down Your Love received a warm reception.

The concise 80 minute set featured a dozen numbers -but there was still room for a guitar duet from Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach, and a drum solo by Timothy Drury.

Def Leppard found White-snake a hard act to follow, despite having a spectacular video backdrop. They launched into Rocket but frontman Joe Elliott's voice seemed a little muted.

Like the 'Snake, the Leps also have a new album out and they wisely chose to showcase high tempo numbers from Songs From The Sparkle Lounge.

Joe had to work hard to get a reaction from a crowd seemingly exhausted by the Whitesnake set but eventually, after an hour, Pour Some Sugar On Me got people on their feet.

"Now we've got you going," announced the relieved singer. Little time remained so it was all systems go for Rock Of Ages, Bad Actress and Let's Get Rocked.

In the end it was a close run thing but Whitesnake edged it on points. The real winners, however, were the fans who were treated to some classic rock from two bands who showed they can still deliver the goods.
By Andy Colman @ Birmingham Mail 2008.

Media Review -- Double delight for classic rock fans By Debbie Bennett

No-one can resist a BOGOF offer - and last night it was two for the price of one when rock giants Def Leppard and Whitesnake thundered into Birmingham on the second night of their UK tour.

The bands have joined forces as both celebrate their 30-year anniversaries - and as both have just released new albums.

But there's clearly no stopping these heavy rock stalwarts who are still storming the album charts, with Def Leppard's Songs from the Sparkle Lounge in the US top five and Whitesnake's anniversary CD Good to be Bad in the UK top 10, as frontman David Coverdale boasted at last night's sell-out gig.

Whitesnake took the stage first, after support early on from Kentucky rock band Black Stone Cherry.

Special mention was given during their set to former guitarist Mel Galley, of Cannock, who is terminally ill with cancer.

Coverdale dedicated Love Ain't No Stranger to his "dear friend".

But this was a rare serious moment for Coverdale who, from the outset, enjoyed his trademark flirting with the crowd - even getting one delighted fan a drink.

There was a taste of new material with the album track The Best Years, and a potful of favourites followed, including Fool For Your Lovin' and Is This Love.

The almost 90-minute set finished with the 80s hit Here I Go Again, and Still Of The Night, although time spent on a drum solo and a "duelling guitars" interlude could have been better used on two other songs.

A well co-ordinated set change provided the stage for Def Leppard, who launched into Rocket.

Although several crowd pleasers such as Armageddon It, David Essex's Rock On and new single Nine Lives were among the first songs in the set, singer Joe Elliot had to work hard to get some noise from the fairly staid Birmingham crowd.

But a cracking set list eventually had everyone on their feet, with such classics as Hysteria, Animal, Photograph and Rock of Ages keeping die-hard and new fans enthralled.

Leppard played the same length set as Whitesnake as they shared the bill, and there was something new and something old for the all-too-soon encore, Bad Actress and Let's Get Rocked.

Elliot promised the Leps will be back - let's hope it is sooner rather than later.
By Debbie Bennett @ Express And Star 2008.

Media Review -- Def Leppard, Whitesnake and Black Stone Cherry in Brum last night By Geoff Barton

The Clog's spy just reported in from the Def Leppard/Whitesnake/Black Stone Cherry gig at Birmingham NEC last night - and it looks like the Leps and BSC stole the show.

'Whitesnake started off bloody awfully with Into The Light,' we hear. 'Things picked up marginally when they did an excellent acoustic Ain't Gonna Cry No More followed by Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City.

'Other notable highlights were Fool For Your Loving (second in), Gimme All Your Love and Still Of The Night. But too much new stuff, too many classics missing.

'But Whitesnake were clearly not co-headliners. Very much second of a three-band bill and very much in last place behind an enthusiastic and energetic Black Stone Cherry, who got a great response, and Def Leppard, who were the best I've seen them in years. Even Joooooooe was singing well.'

Were YOU at the Birmingham show - or indeed at Glasgow on the opening night on June 17? If so, what did YOU think?
By Geoff Barton @ Classic Rock 2008.

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