Fan Review -- By Janeen

Having been a fan since 81, and being lucky enough to have been to many Def Leppard shows over the years, I can honestly say, that they have NEVER sounded better!!! From Hellraiser all the way through to Sugar - Joe hit every single note! The band was tight and looked relaxed and seemed to be having so much fun. This was THE VERY BEST show I've seen them do - ever!!

Our seats were on Phil's side of the stage, so we didn't get to see much of Viv and Sav - when I finally figure out how to post my pics again, you'll see most of them are of Joe and Phil. I was so busy trying to get some decent photos, that I missed a lot of what was up on the video screen - heard it was awesome though! Sav's bass solo was great! A bit on the really, really loud side, but bass is meant to be loud right?! Loved that it went right into Rock On - I never get tired of hearing that song live!

Oh, and a quick remark on Journey....I went in expecting to hate them - being that I've never seen them in concert, but I have to give credit to them - I thought they were really good! Their singer was struggling a bit vocally, but the drummer, who sounds eerily like Steve Perry, kicked butt!! He was great!!

For those that have shows coming up - I so envy you! I have a major case of Leppression right now. My next show isn't until September - 80 days away!!! Guess I'll have to live vicariously through all of you until I get to see the BEST BAND IN THE WORLD again!!!! Having been through a rough patch as of late, I was really in need of some good old fashioned fun - and seeing our Boys up there on stage, smiling, having a great time, and giving us 100% of everything they have - one cannot leave a Lepp show without a smile on their face. So to our Boys - thank you for putting my smile back in place!.

Fan Review -- By mkdragster

I went to the show at Montage the other night. I was disappointed, relieved, and excited, all in the same night. I took my eight year old nephew to his first concert ever because he wanted to see Journey. About half way through their set, he turned to me and said, "This sucks, I want to hear Leppard." The only time the fans cheered was when they left the stage. Then it was time for the real rock show. Def Leppard put on a "hell" of a show from the opening song to the last line of "Sugar". They are still the best rock band in the world. Journey...nice try.

Fan Review -- By Tami

This was my 4th time seeing DL and it was by far, the best show I've seen yet! They were tight, looked well rested and were taking full advantage of the stage set-up; Joe's voice sounded better than I have ever heard it before; he was spectacular! The crowd was really into it and this was part of the reason the show was so mindblowing. People were on their feet for the entire show, singing and dancing to every song the guys played.

The video screen was awesome and the pics of the guys in their early days provided a nostalgic touch to the show. The setlist was a nice surprise as they played Let's Get Rocked, Foolin', and Let It Go, all songs I did not expect to hear at this show. Hellraiser opened the show and I was pleasantly surprised by how it went over with the crowd. It really set the tone for the rest of the show.

It was nice to see Sav moving around all over the stage and the guitar solo he did before Rock On was absolutely electrifying! Joe was moving around constantly, and really seemed to be enjoying himself. It was also great to hear Phil sing; he did a bit of the vocals on MLLAM and it was a highlight of the show for me! For those fans who have shows coming up, you will not be disappointed!

Fan Review -- By D Schultz

This show had a little more of the new CD music they just started on the tour and it seamed like they where just getting in to touring again. The town had just had alot of rain and most people where fighting floods and other problems of that nature. It was down pouring right before the show everyone was sitting in there cars waiting to go stand in line to get in but it let up and let the show go on! What else can I say the show lika always awsome!!!!! Can"t wait for Cleveland (closer to home) then off to buffalo before I have to say buy to them again unless they add more dates to the tour!

Media Review -- Journey, Def Leppard rock Montage Mountain By Amy Bugno

Despite this week's wet weather, the rain held off just long enough for 10,500 people to rock out at the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain on Friday night, with generations of fans gathering to enjoy the classic rock sounds of Journey and Def Leppard.

Journey kicked off the night at 7:50 with a new high-energy tune including the typical Journey elements of electrifying guitar solos and pounding drum beats.

As the night wore on, Journey mixed old favorites like "Be Good to Yourself" and "Wheel in the Sky" with more unfamiliar recent songs. Although a few diehard fans scattered throughout the crowd sang and danced with lead singer Steve Augeri, an undertone of disappointment spread through the Pavilion. Unfortunately, although their names sound similar, there was no mistaking Augeri for rock legend and former Journey frontman Steve Perry. It took one of the band's more mellow hits, "Faithfully," to get the crowd on its feet an hour into the show. Fans were finally able to experience the emotion of a true rock concert for the last three songs in the set, when they drowned out Augeri's vocals with their own vocals on "Don't Stop Believin'," "Separate Ways" and an encore of "Any Way You Want It." The performance ended on a good note, with the band bowing together at center stage and drummer Dean Castronovo throwing his drumsticks to a few lucky fans.

Taking the stage around 9:45 p.m., Def Leppard significantly livened up the proceedings with an intricate, revved-up performance that mixed classics like "Foolin'," "Hysteria" and "Photograph," with well-known cover songs from their latest album, "Yeah!"
Amy Bugno © The Citizen's Voice 2006.

Media Review -- Rock 101: Def Leppard Schools Journey By Gene Padden

While it's been 27 years since Def Leppard's first recording, watching the band rock the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain Friday night, you couldn't help but shake your head. A countrified Bon Jovi not withstanding, Def Leppard is schooling every single band of its heyday.

And, the guys know what's up. Near the one-hour mark of their torrid, greatest hits-heavy set, singer Joe Elliott paused to deliver one of the most sincere "thank you" passages of any band we've ever heard on the mountain.

"We've been following what's been going on around here and we didn't think anyone was going to come out tonight. We thought you all had more important things to do than to come and see a rock 'n' roll show. We're all here, and we're going to try and make everybody happy for a little bit."

This was a damp Northeastern Pennsylvania crowd that had spent the past few days watching a river swallow entire towns, but tired it was not. It needed a release, and Def Leppard provided it.

This crowd stood for Def Leppard's entire set, and sadly, it was a stark contrast to Journey's opening set, which can be described as dismal at best.

By night's end, it was obvious that Def Leppard had come to rock, while Journey had come to get paid. DL looked and sounded even better than its prior visit to Wilkes-Barre not six months ago, and it added updated song and video selection to its show.

As for Journey, Cain told us in a recent interview (posted on this site) that Journey has a legacy to protect, and like a knight at the round table, he steps on stage with his sword drawn to play the songs people paid to hear.

On this night, DL was the band with swords drawn to protect its legacy, and Journey? Well, guys, next time you ride into town on your white horse, swords drawn in the name of rock 'n' roll, you better have Sir Perry leading the charge.
Gene Padden © Electric City 2006.