Newark, NJ - Media Review Quotes
By Toniann Antonelli
A relatively quick set change brought on Def Leppard, who headlined the Rock of Ages tour, which derived its name from one of the band's most popular songs and is subsequently now the name of both a Broadway musical and a movie featuring music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. The stage - much more elaborate than Poison's set with a backdrop of movie screens and near seizure-inducing lighting effects - initially featured a giant British flag. There was no mistaking who the headliners were on this tour, and after more than 30 years, Def Leppard undoubtedly earned the spotlight. In facr, July 11 marked guitarist Phil Collen's 30th year in the band, and just to make true fans feel even older, it's been 25 years since the album "Hysteria" was released. Yeah, ponder that while you count your gray hairs.
Opening with "Undefeated" before moving on to their single "Rocket," Def Leppard is an arena act. They know their way around big sets and pyrotechnics. Unlike Poison, though, the band's performance seemed decidedly more rehearsed. Every move, comment by lead man Joe Elliott and wild guitar riff seemed planned. No matter, though, a rock was definitely not "out of the question" for the Newark crowd who enjoyed every minute of it.
One of the highlights of the night was an acoustic medley of power ballads during which the band members sat together on a trunk near the front of the stage. As the band seemlessly intertwined "Now," "Where Does Love Go When It Dies," "When Love and Hate Collide," "Two Steps Behind" and "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad" a sea of cell phones lit up the arena. Two decades ago, flickering lighters would have brightened the venue, but the effect was still pretty much the same as the crowd sang along.
Getting the crowd jacked up again wasn't too difficult as the band launched into another string of popular singles beginning with "Women" and ending with "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and, of course, "Rock of Ages," which was appropriate given the nickname of the venue (The Rock, for those who are unfamiliar with the arena).
By Cranford Patch 2012.
Read the full review at - patch.com/new-jersey/cranford
By Robert Cavuoto
Wednesday night Def Leppard rolled in to Newark's Prudential Center with opener Poison to show this New Jersey crowd why they are one of the world's premiere live acts.
There was no shortage of diehard fans decked out in concert shirts, tight pants, and short skirts. Everybody came to have great time and relive the '80s in which Def Leppard played such a big part, whether you remember hearing them at a party or while driving down to the beach or even breaking-up just to make-up, I'm sure Def Leppard was there.
The band ran through all their hits from High and Dry, all the way to their last CD, Mirrorball. Guitar driven songs like "Rocket", "Foolin", "Bringing on the Heartbreak", "Armageddon It", "Pour Some Sugar on Me", were all performed flawlessly and nicely tied to a tremendous light show.
Mid-way through their scorching set, the band put the brakes on for an impromptu acoustic set performed on the edge of the catwalk. This was my favorite part of the show as they turned a massive arena into an intimate club by sitting on a road case, huddling around a microphone, and jamming to a medley of their acoustics hits.
By Guitar International 2012.
Def Leppard Played and I Fucking Owned It By Dave Hill
Last night (7/11), I went to see Def Leppard, Poison, and Lita Ford at the Prudential Center, which is in Newark, New Jersey. What happened was my friend Ryan asked me and my friend Dave if we wanted to go to the concert and we were both like "Fuck yeah!" and the next thing I knew, we were totally on a train to New Jersey about to get our asses handed to us by Def Leppard, Poison, and Lita Ford, the bands that were playing the concert.
There were roughly 15,732 people in attendance at the show but I was definitely the most rocking person in attendance and you can basically ask anyone because I pretty much owned that show from the second we got off the train in Newark, at which point we walked briskly to the Prudential Center because we were fucking pumped to rock out and everyone around us was looking at us like "Those guys fucking rule!" We had black rock shirts on and everything. It was fucking sweet.
Once we got back down to our sweet seats again (7TH FUCKING ROW, MOTHERFUCKERS!), it was fucking Def Leppard time and then sure as shit, fucking Def Leppard came on stage and started rocking the fuck out of everyone in the fucking place and that shit was nuts. Def Leppard opened with some new song which was still awesome but basically bullshit considering the fact that you know they've got "Foolin'", "Photograph", "Rock of Ages," and about 500 other hits locked and loaded the whole time and they could have played one of those tunes but whatever it was still sweet. A few songs into things, Def Leppard played "Love Bites" and I was singing along with every word and every chick in my section wanted to bang me because I was fucking nailing that shit so hard you would have thought I was in the fucking band, which I probably should be the more I think about it (NOTE: If you are in Def Leppard and are reading this and also want me in the band, just tell me where the bus is parked and my fucking gig bag and I will be there. Also, we should play some more songs from "High and Dry" cuz that shit rules). It should be noted that the Def Leppard guitar player Phil Collen was shirtless the whole time and so was I and I'm pretty sure he saw me and made a gesture to the singer Joe Elliott like "Check that dude out in Section B, Row 7- he is owning this fucking place." And I was. Ask anyone.
About halfway through their show, the Def Leppard guys all broke out acoustic guitars and sat on a road case brought out by a sweet roadie with a hat on and played some song that I didn't know but it was a real panty dropper that's for fucking sure. A lot of chicks wanted to make out with Def Leppard and also me at this point but we had a show to focus on so we couldn't. It should also be noted at this point that the Def Leppard drummer only has one arm. I realize pretty much everyone knows that already and I am totally used to seeing him play drums like that but when he's just walking around the stage with one arm part of me couldn't help but be all like "Oh, shit- he's coming over here."
After Def Leppard got done showing their sensitive side, it was time for the fucking hits. They played "Women," "Bringin' on the Heartache", "Armageddon It" ("Are you getting it? Yes, I'm a getting it!" It fucking ruled), "Photograph", and basically every other fucking awesome Def Leppard song you can fucking think of. It was at this point in the show, that I ended up meeting this other sweet dude who was rocking out to Def Leppard almost as hard as I was. We high-fived and rocked out and sang every fucking word and basically no one around us could even handle it. You could tell the guys in the band saw us and were like "Fuck- that is some next level shit right there" as we were fucking owning that fucking show so hard. Def Leppard played "Rock of Ages" and then Ryan, Dave, and I got the fuck out of there cuz we had a train to catch back into NYC. I guess you saw this coming, but before we got on the train we fucking knocked back a cold one in the bar in the train station. There were a lot of people who were also at the show at the bar and you could tell by the way they looked at us that they all knew we were the fucking sweet dudes from Section B, Row 7. It ruled. Next time Def Leppard comes back to town we are totally going again and that shit is going to be awesome basically. If they play two nights I would even go both nights.
By Brooklynvegan 2012.
Read the full review at - davehillonline.com
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