Tinley Park/Chicago, IL, USA - Media Review Quotes

By Eloise Marie Valadez

Headlining British rockers Def Leppard performed an energetic show complete with an attractive light display, video clips and high theatrics. The acoustics at outdoor theaters are often muddled. But Def Leppard's sound system was exceptional allowing, for the band's signature tunes to shine.

With frontman Joe Elliott at the helm, the group was in powerful form throughout the show. On the playlist, were commanding versions of "Rock of Ages," "Rock, Rock Til You Drop," "Pour Some Sugar on Me," David Essex' "Rock On," and "Let's Get Rocked."

By nwtimes 2009.

Read the full review at - nwitimes.com

By Anthony Kuzminski

"C'mon. C'mon" was the only song aired from their latest release, Songs From the Sparkle Lounge sadly; a jangly rocker with an easy-on-the-ears chorus that is pure Def Leppard. It still received an exceptionally buoyant retort from the crowd thanks to singer Joe Elliott charming the crowd to clap along. Its inclusion made me yearn for the day where the band will dig a little deeper into their catalog. Despite the record sales not reaching the heights of their 80's records, there is a lot to chew on from Slang, Euphoria, X and Sparkle Lounge. I've said it before and I'll say it again, a deeper dive into those records is deserved because they house songs on par with their earlier output. There was no proper Chicago stop on the 2008 tour so this one performance is the only reminder to the crowd that there was a new record in stores from the band recently.

The only other song to be performed from the last fifteen years was "Rock On", from their collection of covers, Yeah! . Unfortunately, it's been a steady part of the set list for the last five years and its inclusion meant that an original was axed. The midpoint of the show included an acoustic section on an extended stage that took the band into the crowd. "Two Steps Behind" was a happy go lucky sing-a-long while "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" begun acoustically before the band plugged in to top the song off with their fierce fervor (much like the versions played on the 1987-88 tour) and instantly segueing into the instrumental "Switch 625". The latter found the band at their most strapping and vivacious. Elliott was off stage but the other four played out of their skins. The band's joy spilled over into the crowd and makes me wonder what would happen if they took chances with other material not as submerged into our consciousness. Moments like these showcase their inherent capacity as musicians and why they're still a pertinent band.

By The Screen Door 2009.

Read the full review at - the-screen-door.blogspot.com

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