Sunday, 8th December 2013
Show Poster
Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott and his Kings Of Chaos band played a show in Mexico City on 29th November and the first fan review has been sent in.
Leppard fan Carlos has sent in another excellent review which can be read below. Muchos Gracias Amigo!.
Mexico City Fan Review - By Carlos Gonzalez
The sound of a whistle is tested in the mic stand by some crew guy right before the encore. Without a doubt, it was the announcement of what was to come: the great finale for the superstars rock show that we just witnessed for more than 2 hours. It was really a Paradise of music, a Paradise of hits, a Paradise of performances... Of course, as we all supposed, Paradise City would close the show, with all the members of Kings of Chaos participating, playing an instrument or singing the chorus. It was a reunion of great musicians, an authentic group of friends, an spectacle of good music and camaraderie, and it was royal.
They introduced themselves as royalty, and certainly they are. To see, listen and live the Kings of Chaos show is to have the best of various worlds... It's some kind of mix of relaxed vibe, with kingship and a lot of experience added, and the variety of styles in guitar, vocals and showmanship. It's like going to various concerts at a time and listen hit after hit in a bar atmosphere, with some apparently improvised and spontaneous show at a private club. But the reality is that it was a very well planned and calculated setlist.
Great riffs, great stars
Proof of that is the fact that includes some of the greatest riffs of all rock history, from the adictive and bombastic Smoke on the Water to the sticky and phenomenal Sweet Child of Mine intro, played by its author Slash. Every King of this band has its moment of royalty, every star shines at the right instant and brings something different to the table: style, voice, a guitar solo, choruses, etc. Also, every riff of these hits has its own life and claims the audience's ovation. And they get it.
Impressive is the right word to describe Glenn Hughes' voice. Just when you think he is at his highest point, he surprises you with some even higher note... and then another one. It's just overwhelming. Great artist, great vocalist.
Slash is simply the biggest star here. In my opinion, the greatest guitarist ever. And it shows in every note and song he plays. There's no better way to finish this than with Sweet Child of Mine and, as I said, Paradise City. In some of the media reviews is mentioned that the only artist Slash introduced was Joe Elliott. And from a guy that doesn't even talk on stage, that's gotta count for something. It's obvious (always has been so) that Slash only talks through his guitar and it does with greatness. Sweet Child guitar solo, the acoustic Knocking on Heaven's Door are some highlights that come to mind.
Leopard hero
About Joe, he received a very good response during Animal and Sugar. This version of Sugar sounded raspy and a little raw than we are used to. Liked it. Great response during Two Steps Behind in the middle of the acoustic set. If I'm not wrong, 2 steps behind was not played in full in this city since the Slang tour in 97, in that same venue. Was played in 2012, but only as part of the acoustic medley. The highlight for me was to see the recreation of the Freddy Mercury tribute show, Joe n' Slash playing together Queen's Tie Your Mother Down. This was no Wembley stadium, but it was priceless to see these two performing live again in the vein of that memorable event... And even better was the surprise right after that: David Bowie's Heroes! Love this song, and played by Slash is just the ultimate stuff. Wouldn't it be great that Joe insert a line from Hysteria during Heroes? That'd be what I call "close the circle", haha.
Flamenco unrecognized
Steve Stevens was excellent and is really and underrated artist. He should be more respected and recognized. Sometimes life's that way. Raw, fast guitar when needed, including an acoustic solo mixing some flamenco rhythm and playing some really high notes. Surprising.
Grains of sand
The audience was rough, believe me... This is the most exhausting show I've ever been, and I've seen Judas Priest (in that venue), Metallica, among others. Being at the floor section was tough and me and a group of friends (all leppard fans) had to fight for our own lives, haha, literally... The good part of it is that the reason is only because the audience was rocking and jumping all the time. We were 6, together at first, but when Glenn broke in with his high notes I never saw my friends again. They were swept like little grains of sand by this wave of people that kept moving more than the ocean itself. All the show people around me changed, moved, mutated, haha. We were just part of the mass, our location didn't depend on us, depended on this massive waves wishes...
But on stage, this was like a bar with relaxed feeling between long time friends, specially during the acoustic part, only with 9000 thousand expectators. Every artist showed his talent and expertise. A good tribute to rock, their own bands and their own trajectory, an excellent friday night to remember. Long live the Kings... even if they cause Chaos in the audience... Long live rock n roll!!!
- Previous News - 2nd December 2013