New Orleans, LA - Media Review Quotes
Def Leppard is a mighty force By Nicole Thorne
Queen’s "We Will Rock You" prophetically blares aloud while the house lights invariably dim. Darkness overwhelms the arena and the Leps assume their places within the very same venue that hosted them on both the Hysteria and Adrenalize tours many years ago. Thick red lights emanate from ahigh and lower vertically throughout the audience, reminding fans of the signature laser beams from the Hysteria tour. Lead singer Joe Elliot, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell open the show with Retroactive’s "Action." Looking just as handsome as he did in 1987 when he enraptured the world with his mullet and shredded jeans, Elliot sings a boastful promise: Everybody wants a piece of the action / Everybody needs a main attraction / I got what everybody needs / Satisfaction guarantee.
"Oh yeah, New Orleans! Do you wanna get rocked?" Elliot roars as black curtains unfold, revealing two overhead film screens. Throughout the night, assorted photographs and video images from the band’s past are broadcast overhead. "Do You Wanna Get Rocked?" is the only tracked performed tonight from the Adrenalize album. It is followed by Hysteria’s version of Creation, "Women." Def Leppard are known just as much for their signature backing vocals as they are for their signature lead vocals. Savage, Allen, Collen and Campbell form a characteristic and unmistakable heavy metal choir on the majority of Leppard tracks.
"Good evening to you all. How are ya? It’s great to be back. It’s been a long time, way too long actually. [Last night] we enjoyed your hospitality on Bourbon Street and other places of ill repute," Elliot interjects. After "Promises," the only track played from 1999’s Euphoria, Elliot expands upon the band’s absence: "[It’s been] twelve years since we played here which is way too long really. Sorry about that but we’re here at last. We are celebrating something here. We are celebrating 25 years since we came to the States." Ostensibly, the Leppards are touring in support of their latest endeavor: Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection. With many "greatest hits" compilations there is often a new track added to the mix. One such track on Rock Of Ages is Badfinger’s "No Matter What," which they consequently perform in addition to informing the multitude of their intention to eventually release a covers record. The audience joins the Leppard choir during fan favorites "Love Bites" and the apocalyptic rockin’ love song "Armageddon It."
"For the next four minutes we are inviting you to join the band." Elliot invites the audience to sing along during "Two Steps Behind," the second track performed from Retroactive. Hysteria’s "Gods of War" follows with images of various political leaders broadcast overhead such as George Bush, Sr., Margaret Thatcher, Adolph Hitler, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and many others. An ominous fog of dry ice engulfs the stage, perhaps symbolic of the band’s stance on war.
The surge of hits continues with two odes played in succession. During "Rocket," the boys pay homage to their glam rock predecessors such as David Bowie, Elton John, and Queen. They wax ecstatic during their monster hit "Photograph," the ultimate Marilyn Monroe tribute. Sorry Elton! Elliot is ironic on the next song introduction: "It sounds a bit weird to say this but this next song is the title track from our new album." Thus begins the outré intro to the biblically titled "Rock of Ages." Gunter glieben glauchen globen!! This is apparently the finale as the lads spend a lengthy amount of time saying their goodbyes, earnestly looking many fans directly in the eye. For a moment their earnestness appears final and we suffer a glimmer of dread that they actually might not come back on stage.
Collen dons his signature glow in the dark Bela Lugosi guitar for the last song, "Pour Some Sugar On Me," the track that launched the Leppard’s global dominion. Elliot’s early boasts during "Action" ring true as there are no dissatisfied souls in the house. His last words to the audience are decidedly more humble: "Do us a big favor. Don’t forget us and we won’t forget you." Queen ushered the evening in and rightfully another of their tracks provides the show’s coda: "We Are The Champions."
By Mish Mash Magazine 2005.
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