Lincoln, NE - Media Reviews

Def Leppard brings refreshingly '80s show back to Lincoln By L. Kent Wolgamott

Some observations from Pinnacle Bank Arena Section 106, Row 5 on '80s night in Lincoln.

First, Lincoln loves some Def Leppard. Thursday's show drew 10,875. That's at least 200 more than another three-bill topped by Def Leppard drew in October 2015.

The difference between the 2015 set list and Thursday's 17-song, 95-minute show -- two songs were switched out and there was a slightly different song order in the first half of the set.

The 2015 show was the best of the dozen or so times I've seen Def Leppard. While not at that peak, Thursday wasn't far behind.

The star of the show was "Adam and The Ants" vest-clad guitarist Phil Collen, whose solos inside songs and intros and outros put some bite into the thick, arena-filling sound.

The moment of the night came when Elliott inserted a line of "Heroes" into the chorus of "Hysteria," paying tribute to David Bowie.

The three bands covered the range of '80s FM rock with Tesla's melodic arena rock, Poison's Sunset Strip glam and Def Leppard's pop-rock-metal hybrid.

Another special moment: Poison's Bret Michaels, whose sisters are at Offutt Air Force in Bellevue, dedicated "Something to Believe In" to the active duty military, starting the soaring ballad that was live-streamed to troops on acoustic guitar.

Some of the production was refreshingly 80s -- such as the old school Poison sound check with the sound engineer asking techs for bass and kick drum and a vocal mic "check, check, check" coming through the PA.

And as always, there is little more boredom-inducing than an arena rock drum solo.

By Lincoln Journal Star 2017.

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