Houston, TX - Fan Reviews

Fan Review - By Robert Matteson

We got there right in time to hear the start of Foreigner, which turned out to be an incredible act. I was surprised at how good they sounded. I wish they had played after Styx, as they were clearly were the better band that night. I have never been into Styx, and therefore was not impressed at all.

Onto the main attraction......I honestly have to say that Def Leppard were the best I have ever seen them. They were tight, cohesive and sharp. The set list has not changed, it's the same that they have been playing all summer. I have to give them credit for changing up the set list since last year. The crowd was really into the older, more obscure songs. Mirror, Mirror probably got some of the loudest cheers all night. Also, Pour Some Sugar was an incredible way to end the main show, the crowd was so into that song, it was the perfect way to build up the suspense of the encore. You could clearly tell they were energized and happy, they were definitely feeding off the crowd. About mid way through the show Joe announced that the show had sold-out. We also went to last year's Journey/Def Leppard concert at this same venue, and there were more people here this year. After years of seeing them play half full arenas and state fairs, it is incredible to see them play in front of crowds this size again. They are definitely back where they belong.

At the end of the show, Joe wrapped things up with his famous departing words...."Please don't forget us, and we definitely won't forget you." I, for one, can't wait to get back out there next year to see them again, when they are touring their new album.

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Fan Review - By Cyrena L Williamson

Missed Foreigner performance. Was able to hear their version of Zepplins "Whole Lotta Love" (maybe, correct me if I'm wrong). Not the same w/out Lou Graham.

Styz was amazing. Tommy Shaw w/his boyish good looks. First song sounded like the intro to "Mr Roboto" then they broke out w/Grand Illusion". (Texas Jam 1983 Styx was booed while performing that and ceased and broke out w/Snowblind.) They were like actors on stage turning to their audience & involving the spectators. The keyboardist that replaced Dennis DeYoung was flawless and energetic. I believe he & the drummer, St. Clair (?) were from Texas, again, correct me if I'm wrong.

Enter the Sheffield boys and Viv ... powerful and commanding presentation!! One of Viv's little girls made a split second appearance stage right .. adorable.. I was imagining "daddy!! i gotta go potty" heehee I do believe the multitude of us admirer's conquered over Joe, Sav, Phil and Viv's singing during the acoustics. That was the 1st time I've heard "Bringin On ... " live acoustically. Real treat. We weren't able to talk for 2 days. Was a great crowd for a well-worthy great bunch of guys. Always ready to do it again and again !!

Thanks for the entertainment.

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Fan Review - By Stefanie

This show at the Woodlands was the best concert experience I've ever had!!! Hands down. Even months before the show, I had a special feeling about it. Maybe because it was going to be my 10th Def Leppard concert, here where I had my first, in my hometown, or maybe because I thought I was going to get great seats....but I just felt it. Of course, my 'vision' could have ended up completely different from reality - but it wasn't, and everything fell into place perfectly for me.

The weather in the Houston-area was pretty bad days before the show. The day of, it rained hard for about an hour, from 5 to 6, but after that, the skies were clear and the weather was fine! I went to the I Love All Access pre-show party and met up with some other DL fans, was nice to see and talk to them! We got our tickets, and were at the party until about 7:10 (?), whatever time we got to our seats, lost track of time, and missed the first Foreigner song, but not a huge deal.

My seat -- my 5* ILAA seat -- 2nd row against the thrust!!!!!!! Unbelievable!!! The one place I wanted to be the most because of all the great things I'd read about it from the previous show reviews. I didn't think I'd actually be there - I mean, what are the odds - but yes, tickets were printed and those pit center (between Joe and Phil) 2nd row seats 34 and 35 (for my mom) had my name on them!!! I was in shock when I saw where we were, and thought "No way!!!" I pinched myself a few times. It was real, but it took a while to sink in!

I really enjoyed Foreigner and Styx, but I spent most of my time during their sets just in disbelief, still flabbergasted by where I was standing! From my first show in the 6th row waaaaay off to the side - to my tenth right up against the thrust, banging on it all night - it made me see I've come such a long way ;) It couldn't have gone better. It was fantastic!! The night was my night.

I danced and rocked out with tremendous energy, as I do at all my DL shows. Phil remembered me from the San Antonio show - as soon as he saw me he said 'Hey!' with that I-know-you look, Wow. He came over to me and I got to slap his hand, just one of the many highlights of the night! A few minutes after that, he got down on his knees and played right in my face! I'm so happy the catwalk wasn't high for this show (like in San Antonio and Dallas) The height was just right! Before Joe introduced him for "Mirror, Mirror", Vivian walked over to me and handed me a pick (he remembered me too, they both did for certain reasons) Then when he and Phil were walking back to the main stage to finish Heartbreak, he gave me a pick he used for acoustic. And during Photograph, Phil gave me his. So awesome. They're amazing! I just love when the musician-fan connection is made, it's magical.

So I got 3 picks - and I did not have to fight anyone for them or scramble around on the floor looking for them, they were handed to me from the stage by the guys themselves! Yes! Score! Ha. The picks from Phil and Viv were an extra treat - the smiles and waves they gave me throughout the show, in addition to the excitement of being next to the thrust, would have been enough to send me to cloud nine.

I think this was my 20th concert overall. Again, it was EXCELLENT. I have never been that close. I dreamed about it, and it finally happened. For the first time, I got to see my favorite band from an amazingly close spot, where they could see *me* screaming and singing the words to every song, with no one in my way or blocking my view - no one!!! My hands and arms were on the runway all night (when they weren't in the air!).

Listening to the band play my favorite songs, and seeing them from where I was, felt surreal. I've described many of my DL experiences as surreal, but this one seemed much stronger, so dreamlike. My actions, my emotions, the adrenaline rush of being there, almost too hard to describe.

Thanks to the fans in the rows in front of and behind me for not being the pushy, rude, obnoxious type, and for giving me some space to move around! I used every inch of that space!

Gotta love a sold-out show. We were loud! Performances like this just remind me why Def Leppard are my all time favorite band, and I'm glad they are. They deliver the music the way it's meant to be delivered, and that truly makes them one of the best :).

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