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Wednesday, 23rd July 2025
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DEF LEPPARD Live In Saratoga Springs, NY 2025 (Show Report/Setlist)

Def Leppard 2025. Screenshots/By Chele Drappel

Def Leppard played a 2025 tour show last night in Saratoga Springs, NY with 18 songs performed.

The show took place at the 25,200 capacity Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

Another outdoor amphitheatre show.

The first show in this city since July 2015.

Flying High Again In New York

A short trip for the band from the last show and this time staying in the same state.

A second show in a row in New York and moving from the site of the original Woodstock festival to a much more familiar venue for them.

First played in the Hysteria tour in the summer of 1988.

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC for short) set in another scenic location surrounded by trees and green fields.

A very unique amphitheatre with the main seating area for 5,200 fans covered by a roof.

A balcony level is contained within this part of the venue and then four walkways extend out onto the lawn section with room for another 20,000 fans.

After a great show in Bethel it was all set up for the last show in the USA on this leg to be another special event.

The weather was good but events elsewhere changed the mood slightly ahead of show time.

News arrived to the band from the UK.

Joe Elliott - Pre-Show Ozzy Osbourne Tribute

Joe paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne on Instagram ahead of show time:

"Kinda lost for words here… we toured with Ozzy in 1981 & he, the band & Sharon were SO supportive."

"He always had time for a chat, took us under his wing & showed us how & how not to party."

"& played us the 2nd album months before it came out."

"He was funny, charming & I for one am eternally grateful to have had the chance to spend precious time with him over the years."

"Sll my love to Sharon & the kids…God bless you Ozzy x” - Joe."

Rick Allen Pre-Show Video

Rick also mentioned Ozzy in his usual pre show video whilst out watching Bret Michaels.

"So bit of a heavy heart today. Very sad to lose Ozzy Osbourne. Rest in peace mate."

"But yeah we'll be playing tonight for Ozzy. There will be rock, you know it."

Pics submitted by Chele Drappel.

Changes Snippet

And before Joe 's introduction at the start of the acoustic section Ozzy's image from the final Black Sabbath show was displayed on the screen behind him.

This saw the crowd going in to an "Ozzy1 Ozzy!" chant.

The Ross Halfin photos Joe used on IG were also displayed on the side screens and a shot of Joe presenting Ozzy with an award in 2014.

Joe explaining to the crowd that - "just a few hours ago we lost our beloved Ozzy Osbourne".

And following Joe's words they played probably the most obvious thing they could - 'Changes' - which of course is a Black Sabbath song, not an Ozzy song.

Other artists playing last night also had the same idea including Coldplay (in Nashville, TN) and Dave Matthews Band (in Gilford, NH).

The first time the band have played any snippet from either Sabbath or Ozzy.

As Joe explained in his online tribute Def Leppard opened for Ozzy's Blizzard Of Ozz band in 1981, the 44th anniversary of the first show coming up soon.

Ozzy would also help Joe out when they had to postpone shows on the Pyromania tour in 1983 and again when they toured together in August 1986 on the Monsters Of Rock tour.

Which included the legendary Donington show, Rick's big comeback after the Irish warm-up tour.

Watch the videos below and via the Fan Videos playlist link.

New York Rocked

The main show itself started at around 9:20pm with the Pyromania intro and 'Rock! Rock!' kicking things off.

No sign of any sombre mood as they were in full rock mode again and playing to a massive 20,000 plus audience who were very loud and singing along to every song.

One of the most vocal crowds of the recent shows and this show was broadcast almost in full by fans.

After the seven song mix of Pyromania/Hysteria/Adrenalize classics they played 'Just Like '73' for the first time here.

A third venue in a row not played for almost exactly ten years to the day but this one much more familiar to the band.

Playing here for the ninth time.

And after the Ozzy tribute, which saw his image displayed throughout all of 'This Guitar' and 'Two Steps Behind', the party atmosphere returned for the rest of the show.

The big six electric finish from BOTH up to PSSOM ended a sombre but still triumphant night in Saratoga Springs, New York.

A fitting place to tribute Ozzy as the second show with him in 1981 took place in Glens Falls, New York.

The last show on this leg in the USA came to an end.

They will be back and of course, and as everyone has now seen, they will also be back to the USA again in February 2026.

And yes, for those of us who follow the shows live, it was noticed they are not playing two nights in a row on this third residency.

Will they also move the start times to East Coast time? - not likely as it already says 8pm PDT...

Next up the band have two more days off to rest and recover from this emotional show before a brief return to Canada ahead of a two week break.

18 Song Setlist

An 18 song setlist was played.

'Just Like '73' and 'This Guitar' were played here for the first time.

Saratoga Springs History

The first visit to Saratoga Springs was in 1988 on the Hysteria tour outdoor leg with Europe.

They would go on to play here many more times with every visit to the city taking place at SPAC.

The first return was in 1993 before a lengthy gap of 13 years.

Th would return in 2006 on the YEAH! tour before more shows in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

The last visit here taking place on 24th July 2015, exactly ten years tomorrow.

Last night's show was the 9th performance in Saratoga Springs.

The next Def Leppard show takes place in St. John's, NL on 25th July.

Saratoga Springs 2025 Photos

Screenshots by dltourhistory.

Watch some Fan Videos from the show here.

Def Leppard 2025 Fan Videos.

Def Leppard - Saratoga Springs, NY 22nd July 2025 Setlist

  • 01 - Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
  • 02 - Rocket (Single Version)
  • 03 - Let's Get Rocked
  • 04 - Foolin'
  • 05 - Armageddon It
  • 06 - Animal
  • 07 - Love Bites
  • 08 - Just Like '73

Played for the first time in Saratoga Springs.

  • 09 - Let It Go
  • 10 - Die Hard The Hunter (Short Version)
  • 00 - Changes (Acoustic/Full Band)

An acoustic snippet of a Black Sabbath song dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne. Verse/Chorus only.

  • 11 - This Guitar (Semi-Acoustic)

Played for the first time in Saratoga Springs.

  • 12 - Two Steps Behind (Acoustic)
  • 13 - Bringin' On The Heartbreak (Electric)
  • 14 - Switch 625 (Instrumental)
  • 15 - Rock Of Ages
  • 16 - Photograph
  • 17 - Hysteria (Extended Outro)
  • 18 - Pour Some Sugar On Me

Joe Elliott - Ozzy Tribute/Changes Intro

"Today should have been a great day for us because we're here in front of all these people."

"And it is a great day and we really are celebrating."

"But there's an added ingredient into the pie tonight because we all know just a few hours ago we lost our beloved Ozzy Osbourne."

"So tonight we're celebrating Ozzy."

"We want you to join in with us celebrating Ozzy."

"He's gonna be there for a while."

"Let's bring the boys out shall we one at a time."

"Here we go Vivian Campbell! We've met him once let's meet him again."

"From Belfast in Northern Ireland Mr. Vivian Campbell."

"From Walthamstow in the East End of London Mr. Phil Collen."

"We have been together sice August 1977. So work that out, that's 48 years."

"My best mate on the bass guitar Mr. Rick Savage."

"And last but not least, shaking his money maker Mr. Rick Allen."

"Right let's see how we get on with this one."

"We love Ozzy Osbourne."

"We can't play Sabbath, but we love Ozzy Osbourne."

Various Photos/Videos

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