Cambridge, England - Fan Reviews
Fan Review - >High 'N' Dry In East Anglia By Darren
Almost 8 months of the day since BriXton and I was seeing Def Leppard again - only this time a lot closer to home. Technically still a long way but not quite as long as going UP to Sheffield or DOWN to London. It was pretty cool knowing this was going be at a small venue (which I've never been to). I didn't realise how small it actually was! Literally from the back doors it takes less then a minute to reach the front barriers. Heard the soundcheck start before 6pm with the side wall shaking. The two tour buses were parked right in front of us next to a shopping centre car park.
After meeting up wih a friend and leaving the front of the que for a nearby Pub (literally just across the road) we had a quick drink then got back in the que (same spot thanks to a kind couple) and after freezing for 20 more mins we were inside. More beers consumed as Ricky played - but actually heard and saw him through the doors. I will be seated in London and will give Ricky's set a full review then.
MusT - We got in and caught the last 3 songs. 'Heartbreaker' was the last and sounded quite cool. Setlist - One Night Stand, As We Stand On You, Freechild, Karma Called It Fate, Underrated, Pleasure Crush, Inter-Revolution, Heartbreaker.
Def Leppard - Well after MusT had finished we made our way (very politely) to the front of the crowd and got to 2 rows behind the barrier - directly in front of Joe. It was very cool to be so close to the stage and see everything in detail as the roadies finished the change over. I noticed Mr Fireworks (David Wolf) carrying some of Viv's guitars and Sav's tech fixing down his pedal rack. The atmosphere was building up nicely as the ever present "Coma" ended and the 'Disintegrate' intro and strobes kicked in so you knew what was coming next..."Action" right?.
Only no...isn't that Phil in the spotlight belting out a familiar riff? why yes and 'Let It Go' started up. Everyone, myself included went nuts and that didn't stop throughout the whole show. The crowd as a whole seemed so into it and very loud - but maybe it was just us at the front. Anyway the band looked to be in great shape and spirits from the start, looking down at us and grinning from ear to ear. We were that close you could see every detail of the guitars - so cool to be able to see the guys play this close up. You could even make eye contact with Rick who was grinning away again behind his kit and sporting a new dark red Raven Drum t-shirt.
Let It Go ends and just when you thought "OK now it must be Action" they go right into a killer version of 'Another Hit and Run' and I'm already starting to lose my voice. You can only sing so much before that happens.
I still wasn't sure if they'd do what I've wanted since Feb - play side one of that 1981 album but sure enough - and without pausing for breath - they kicked into 'High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night)'. And we should take a moment to consider the historical significance of this (well I will anyway): the song has only been played in the UK on the 1981 tour (Willis/Clark) and 1983 (Clark/Collen) so tonight was the first time in England with Phil and Vivian playing (the small club show in 1996 doesn't count...). Of course it sounded great and again everyone knew the song and all these songs were getting a great response. We can only hope the band take note of that for future setlists. I had been planning to make a comment on how this leg's set's have been stale and samey but as you can see tonight they redeemed themselves. I will say though I feel for fans who didn't get to experience this opening at the 6 shows previous to this - well maybe not!.
'Bringin' On The Heartbreak/Switch 625' swiftly followed and again got a great response. The cool thing was we were cheering all the way through Switch so it seemed as if they were still playing a song with lyrics judging by the response. Phil and Viv would grin as we cheered them - they kept coming up to front center during the song. With little time for us to reflect on what we just witnessed Joe doesn't say "OK that was side one of...and this is from 1993..." - the band instead go right into 'Action' which I must say works really well and kind of restarts the show. By now my hands are starting to ache (I have bruises on my left hand from clapping so hard) but who cares when your favourite band are playing right in front of you.
Joe said "Good Evening Cambridge" and a little bit of banter ensued before 'Make Love Like a Man' came and sounded great. These songs don't seem as tired sounding after you heard the HND set. It was a great version and the cheering was again very loud. The band were all talking and laughing with each other and gave "us" applause after the songs!. I was already starting to think about getting an extra encore.... 'Hysteria' next after Sav's little bass intro followed by 'When Love & Hate Collide' and somehow songs that you feel have been overplayed sound so much better 6 feet back from the stage. It was nice to see the bands reaction because we were still cheering and singing along as if these songs were fast rockers. Vivian was clearly enjoying the reaction he got by climbing up on the monitors and hanging over the front row - I'm sure the fact that women went crazy for him had nothing to do with it. While we're on that subject. During the start of one song a line of women threw underwear at the band - it was hilarious and must have been a planned thing. Suddenly each of them had either knickers or Bras thrown to them and each caught them - not quite Tom Jones but impressive nonetheless... I seem to recall Sav having something else thrown at him and him carrying it to side stage. Probably for the techs to hang up in their collections.
Joe asks us if we want to sing on this next tune (we have been Joe!) and of course 'Two Steps Behind' follows with much singing and clapping going on. There was no "you have to be louder than so and so" from Joe but I'd be surprised if we weren't louder than the previous shows. With acoustic guitar still in hand Joe leads us into 'Now' with a little help from Sav on his bass who now has two stand mikes so he can be either side of Joe instead of the headset 'Captain Scarlet' mic. Again it was great to be so close and be able to see them play the guitars in some detail and watch them use their pedals/effect rack's etc. Now still sounds very fresh and heavy. It was the only song from X tonight and it represented the album well. Would have loved to have heard a surprise like 'Torn To Shreds' or my current album fave 'Girl Like You' but it wasn't to be. Maybe next tour they'll surprise us. I hope we surprised them in our good reaction to some of the rarer stuff tonight.
They went into 'Women' next with Joe getting the balcony people to join in on the clapping (we didn't need any prompting on the floor). Once again as in Feb this song still sounds great. Cue explosion and 'Rocket' kicks in for the extended version - all I remember at this point is singing and clapping and looking on the floor near us for one of the guitar picks thrown out. The guitar duel was played right in front of us - just an awesome experience to see them both play solos right in your face. Viv seemed to concede defeat to Phil or maybe he was being sarcastic. Either way they both got the ovations they deserved. Joe intro'd Vivian for his favourite live song 'Armageddon It' and the greatest hits ending begins. One hit after another and every word of every song sung by all of us. Joe made a comment on how hot it was later on and he was right. I was soaked through after 2 songs. 'Photograph' and 'Animal' followed and were superb as ever and again the singing was very loud. My voice was starting to give way but we still had a way to go.
Up next 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' with all of us doing the "Huh's" in time. You can never get tired of being at a Lep show while they are playing this song - no matter how many times you've heard it before. Joe made his first long speech before the next song. Not so much a speech but was talking about having played here in 1980 (first UK headline tour) and the place hadn't changed much. He joked that it was one of only two places outside of Sheffield that are known (or something like that - it was funny at the time). He mentioned that it gets name checked on a Mott The Hoople album. He continued with the 23 years thing and said "Of course this guy has been with us for 24, 25 years keeping the beat" and Rick Allen got his deserved applause again. He must feel pretty damn good getting this ovation at every show and once again it's the biggest cheer of the night. Anyway the song sounded great as you would expect from such a classic and the band stayed to get a great response from us at the end before saying goodbye.
I do believe the person to my right started a chant of "Ole Ole..." as we in the front rows chanted for them to come back. I just hope no one was taking pics of us! The band came back looking pleased with our response and Sav gave the usual "thanks you guys have been f**king amazing" Something I thought was unusual in Sheffield but he does this at every gig (I'm sure he means it though! or maybe he's giving Joe the hint he wants his own introduction..). 'Love Bites' with Viv's excellent solo followed before Joe gave thanks again and the band were all smiles and genuinely looked so happy with our response. Joe asked the usual question but some of us beat him to it and he said "someone always has to spoil it" before asking us anyway and a very rowdy 'Let's Get Rocked' is played with the singing and clapping continuing until the last chord and for a long time after. Joe thanked the crowd and gave the usual end of set speech so you knew there would be no extra encore. It's always a little sad when you know a show is over but the good thing about seeing two shows in quick succession is....you can think to yourself "Hey, I get to do this again in a few days time" Roll on Friday.
In closing I have to say thanks to the band for the surprise of the set opening which being the fan I am was an honour to witness and a rare treat. Just goes to show sometimes you do get what you hope for. Awesome.
End Comments - Thanks to the roadie who at the end threw me a metal guitar Pick of Phil's! A great souvenir to remember a great show by. Oh and a big 'up yours' to the local security who wouldn't give us a setlist.
Could there be a negative from this show? No. I was hoping for Wasted at the end, due to the great crowd tonight and how loud we were I thought there was an outside chance but we didn't get it. I think that was the only thing that could have made this gig better than it already was and that's saying something cause it was f**king brilliant. And that's a fact.
Fan Review - By Jayne
Nat and I were already in high spirits when we reached Cambridge. I had won us a 'Meet and Greet' with Rick Allen after the show and - after 21 years of being a die-hard fan and having never met any of the Lepps - it was a pretty amazing feeling!
The feelings got better when we reached our hotel - it was WAY too posh for us and I was told I had got an amazing deal on an Internet saver - awesome!
Started queuing early - met some nice people but especially Melody and Lou! It's so cool to meet new Lepp friends like this. I went to the door of the Venue after 6 pm to sort out the details of the "Meet and Greet". We were allowed in first and got to the front - this time I was right in front of Joe - awesome! This is a great place to see the whole band. I got 2 "After Show" passes and tried to calm my nerves at meeting Rick.
The atmosphere in this place seemed to be alive from the start.
Ricky Warwick - again awesome - and it's great to hear the songs for a third time. Viv joined him on stage for the penultimate track. I was SO looking forward to seeing MusT again - and I was not disappointed. They were even better this time and, when their set finished, I found myself really looking forward to Bournemouth on Thursday so I could see them again.
I turned round at that point to see an absolute sea of people - another sell out gig for Def Leppard. 'We Will Rock You' started and hands started clapping in time - then 'Rock and Roll' followed by 'Disintegrate'.
I had not brought pen and paper with me to take down the set list this time - I was convinced it was going to be the same as before. How wrong I was and how bloody delighted I was that I had been wrong!
Joe launched into the opener of 'Let It Go' and followed this with the other 4 tracks that make up the first side of the 'High n Dry' album - 'Another Hit and Run', 'High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night)', 'Bringin' on the Heartbreak' and 'Switch 625'. I couldn't believe that tonight, of all nights, was the one they chose to do this set - one that is usually reserved for our US counterparts.
They followed this with 'Action', 'Make Love Like A Man' and continued with a similar set to Plymouth and Birmingham - except they played just one track from "X" which was 'Now'. They played 'Women' and 'Rocket' back to back - just bloody awesomely fantastic! Joe sang 'My Generation' in the middle of Rocket. The drum beat to that track is just fantastic! The encore was 'Love Bites' and 'Let's Get Rocked'.
The guys were technically and musically brilliant as always - a very smiley bunch again tonight - Joe plays the audience like the true professional he is - he never forgets those up in the balcony - and the other guys always make sure they cover every bit of the stage so that everyone gets a chance to see them.
The sound was spot on this evening - even from the front row! This was just the best gig I had been to so far on this tour and I hoped this feeling would be repeated in Bournemouth and London.
The Meet and Greet with Rick Allen and his beautiful wife Lauren, after the show, was very special and I felt very relaxed in their company - thanks guys for memories I will always treasure! Nat and I also managed to get our photo taken with the great Stumpus Maximus - and the icing on the cake was saying cheerio and walking round the corner where a small group of fans were waiting for some of the guys to appear. Managed to get autographs and have piccies taken with Viv and Phil - couldn't believe it! That has never happened before in all this time of being a fan. I wasn't tongue-tied either and told Phil I was delighted to meet him because everyone says how nice he is, and I told Viv he should take his shirt off more often! I'll live with the memories from this whole event for the rest of my life - unbeatable!.
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