Chicago/Rosemont, IL - Media Review Quotes

By Carter Moss

The band's age did show through a few times, as extra echo-effects and more were added to Joe Elliott's vocals on many of the uber-high notes, but overall, Elliott and his crew proved they can still rock pretty hard. The light show, video screens, and the band's backing harmonies were as prominent as ever, and the band still moved energetically around the multi-level stage, interacting with the crowd. One band member even looked healthier in his older age - eternally shirtless guitarist Phil Collen showed off his ripped abs (a result of less partying?).

Def Leppard did offer a few surprises, including an acoustic mini-set out on the a catwalk, sitting on a gear case playing acoustic guitars (except drummer Rick Allen who went with a shaker instead). The setlist included portions of hits like "When Love & Hate Collide" and "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad," before Elliott invited the crowd to sing through "Two Steps Behind" in its entirety. Other pleasant surprises included the Hysteria gem "God Of War" (complete with all the battle sounds from the recording), and the instrumental "Switch 625" coming out of "Bringin' On The Heartbreak."

Elliott asserted his veteran's command of the stage, and at the end of the night he praised the crowd, "This is why we keep coming back to Chicago" and promised to return. Each Lep got the expected solo, but the highlight as always was drummer Allen proving once again that only having one arm doesn’t diminish his skills or ambition, as he rocked through some impressive rhythms with his array of foot pedals.

By Illinois Entertainer 2012.

Read the full review at - illinoisentertainer.com

By Shawn

They opened the show with a new song off their recent "Powerball" album called, "Undefeated" to which the crowd responded with some enthusiasm. Def Leppard then kicked it into high gear barreling though several hits "Rocket", "Foolin'", "Make Love Like a Man", "Animal", "Love Bites", "Lets Get Rocked" as well as the deeper cuts, "Let It Go", and "Gods Of War". All the songs came with their own personal slideshow; some incorporating elements of their respective promotional videos and others with unique videos to this tour with the crowd eating everything up like a feast.

The band then took it down a notch with Joe, Phil, Rick, and Vivian grabbing acoustic guitars and Rick Allen grabbing percussion with the whole band coming out on the catwalk. The band played an acoustic medley of "Where Love Goes When It Dies", "Now", "When Love and Hate Collide", "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad" and "Two Steps Behind". During this more intimate performance, Joe Elliot gave a very personal recollection of the bands memories of Chicago and Allstate Arena to the crowd, talking about their first time in Chicago in 1980 with Ted Nugent and Scorpions and thanked the crowd and City very genuinely for their support. The band sounded in top form with hardly a note missed and backing vocals as good as ever. The band then plugged back in with "Woman", "Bringing on the Heartbreak", the deep instrumental "Switch 625", with a tribute to the late Steve Clarke playing on the jumbotrons, "Hysteria", and impressive solos from Phil Collen, Vivian Campbell and Rick Allen. Although Ricks' drum solo may not have been mind blowing, the crowd went wild with support for him and his ability to pull off such a solo was impressive still. The saga of his injury and recovery is to this day, one of the most awe-inspiring stories in Rock.

Joe Elliot gave a shout out to the entire band and recalled all of the tall tales of Def Leppard that we know so well. He next gave a special shout out to Vivian Campbell and had him kick into "Armageddon It", "Photograph" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me". The last song of the night as was expected was "Rock of Ages" which gave the crowd a perfect cap to their night. Throughout the whole night, Def Leppard had the crowd by the palm of their hand and knew how to work the stage like it was their home. Even with the declining concert attendance of today, Def Leppard are one band that continue to pack arenas due to their consistent spectacles of performances. Joe Elliot thanked the crowd towards the end for their years of support and exclaimed as long as you continue to come we will continue to come. Overall a great performance by a classic band with a perfect blend of stage show, stage presence, Big hits, deep cuts and raw energy. The Rock of Ages Tour was well worth it even if just for Def Leppard at this show.

By Chicago Music Magazine 2012.

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