Def Leppard UK.

[ X UK/Irish Tour 2003 Page 2 ]

THUR Feb 20th 2003: Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield, ENGLAND.

Pics by DLUK.com.
[6 Pics by DLUK.com (Gallery).]

Fan Review :: by Me continued

'Two Steps Behind' followed and it was cool to watch Rick Allen walk off stage to the left and sit and have a cigarette and talk to the crew as they watched the band perform the song. (Noticed he had the incense burning from early on too on his riser). Joe kept the acoustic guitar on for a superb version of 'Now'. Very cool to have been in the same arena as they played it for about the third time ever last July and to be here again.
Right after the song ended Phil stood alone in his spotlight for the intro to 'Women'. The song still sounded classic but there’s something about it on this tour that’s so much better then the Euphoria version. It sounds fresh again - also true for lots of the other "classics".
After this the 'Rocket' intro began and this was so bass/drum heavy it shook the seats. The moody lighting effects really added to the song and especially during the new guitar dual, a wash of green and red lights. Very cool to be close up to see them. Vivian doing his fretboard work (where he has both hands playing it) on his Gibson Les Paul.
Vivian shrugs at Joe by Dini.
Another intro by Joe this time for Vivian who he says has been in the band 10 years now only to be corrected by the man himself "Sorry 11 years..so he’s also an Honourary Yorkshireman. Say something…." Only Vivian couldn’t think what to say and shrugged into the mic. [see pic on left by Dini] Joe then introduced him and he led into the opening riffs of 'Armageddon It'.
'Photograph' followed - class. Then followed the greatest song ever recorded! 'Animal' - needs no description. 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' got a great reaction as ever and the lighting effects were really cool. Purple lights flashing with beams of white during the parts that used to use lasers - so as to mimic that effect - worked well. There was also a cool strobe-like beam shone from the tip of the stage onto the ceiling.
Rick takes his crowd salute by Dini.
Another speech by Joe and this time it was Rick Allen’s turn. Joe first of all talked again about how they felt very lucky and thanked the crowd then introduced Rick and he got up in the spotlight to salute and the reaction was the loudest of the night - very cool to be there to see it. [see pic on right by Dini] He then joked that Rick...

"is a cheat. He’s from Derbyshire not Yorkshire. ‘Baaahh!!!!’ (makes sheep noises)" Rick laughed hard at this and Joe said "that’s what his first girlfriend said to him". He then followed up with "Rick’s been learning something for you but he’s only got four words…." 'Rock of Ages' followed and sounded great. The band got huge applause as they left the stage.
BTW I have to say it was fun to watch Rick play drums so close up - seeing him tilt his head back and look like he was keen to soak up the atmosphere of playing the hometown show whilst still keeping time with three different limbs (and inhaling various substances) - a very talented man. Sav also had a permanent grin and was constantly posing for pics. They all looked so into the music and just having fun playing it.

For the encores no real surprises except Sav coming out to the front of the stage and saying "Hey Sheffield you guys have been fantastic thankyou very much indeed" (although it turns out he does this at every gig now).

'When Love & Hate Collide' sounded very good and 'Let’s Get Rocked' equally as good. I was hoping for maybe an extra track for Sheffield like "Wasted" but it wasn’t to be as Joe ended with "Until Next Time…And There Will Be a Next Time…". I’ll be there too - as well as next week..!
At the end Joe Introduced Frank Noon (drummer on the E.P.: who had been onstage and up behind Rick taking photos) and they posed with their backs to the crowd at the end and told people to smile cause it'd be in a magazine soon. Another great gig in Def Leppard's long history.
They left little flyers for the LLWTG single on each seat.