Spokane, WA - Media Reviews

Def Leppard, Poison, Tesla offer a flashback - to the '80s and two years ago By Dan Nailen

When Def Leppard came to the Spokane Arena in 2015, they packed the place and I reviewed the show, writing that "the rocking songs still hit hard, the ballads still soared, and the crowd filling the place to the rafters sang along nonstop as they were treated to a great night out. It's hard to imagine anyone went home complaining."

All of that remains true after Wednesday night's return to Spokane less than two years later, as the British five-piece again put on a stellar, slick show. But I could see some folks complaining, particularly if they attended both gigs. The set lists were nearly identical, even down to the order they played the tunes.

That said, most probably didn't care a whit, as they got to party for a night with a band of their youth, delivering a batch of hard-rock hits they've loved for a lifetime. And Def Leppard knows how to deliver those hits with a stylish stage show and impressive musicianship.

Playing in front of a massive electronic screen that alternately flashed garish graphics or old videos and photos, the band rumbled through 17 songs reaching back as far as 1981's High 'n' Dry album ("Let It Go," "Switch 625" and "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" were all highlights), and dropping three songs from their 2015 self-titled album. Among those new tunes, show opener "Let's Go" hit hardest, while the pop-funk of "Man Enough" midshow was, well, "befuddling" is probably the best word for those of us who would probably be happiest with the band playing 1983's Pyromania in total, plus a few other tunes.

You can't begrudge a band showcasing its newer material, but obviously the crowd reacted most excitedly to Def Leppard standards like "Foolin'," "Love Bites" and the set-closing duo of "Let's Get Rocked" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me."

It's to the band's credit that they still seem to enjoy performing as much as the audience dug hearing them. Guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell traded impressive solos all night. Joe Elliott can still hit most of his notes, and the rhythm section of drummer Rick Allen and bassist Rick Savage are both fine showmen. Most hard-rock bands can't approach the hooks Def Leppard knock out with ease, and their four-part harmonies remain a potent weapon.

By the time they encored with "Rock of Ages" and "Photograph," the audience had been in the building for upward of five hours, and it's a testament to Def Leppard's staying power that not many wanted to leave without hearing those two signature hits.

Speaking of openers, Tesla was a repeat of the 2015 show as well, although they managed to mix up their seven-song set. For fans old enough to have lived through their heyday, listening to songs like "The Way It Is" and "Lovesong" was an ample reminder that Tesla had some songs that ruled the charts for a few years, and that the blues-rock-leaning Sacramento band remains an act worth seeing.

Poison played the middle slot, and it's exhausting watching them work a crowd. Bret Michaels is as affable a frontman as you'll find, and he spent a lot of time thanking the audience between songs like "Talk Dirty To Me," "Fallen Angel" and "Something to Believe In." I have to admit seeing the members of Poison in "normal" clothes instead of their old glam-rock feathers and makeup isn't quite as fun as the old days. And Michaels' voice was easily the weakest of the three singers on Wednesday. Lucky for him, the audience was all too happy to take over vocals for "Every Rose Has Its Thorn."

By Inlander 2017.

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Def Leppard delivers unforgettable night of high-voltage rock By Cindy Hval

Wednesday night’s Def Leppard concert had all the elements of a great rock show; animal print, leather, spandex leggings, lots of hair swishing, and that was just the audience.

By the time the five-member band took the Arena stage and launched into “Let’s Go,” the packed crowd was indeed ready to “Let it rock. Let it roll.”

The band’s three-month North American tour kicked off April 8 in New Hampshire, and Spokane fans saw them last in 2015.

Formed in Sheffield, England, in 1977, Def Leppard crested the new wave of British heavy metal bands. Their biggest commercial success came with the albums “Pyromania” in 1983 and “Hysteria” in 1987, but the band is still releasing chart-topping hits. Their self-titled album released in 2015, debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. and spawned two hit singles – “Dangerous,” and “Let’s Go.”

Not bad for a band whose members are on the shady side of 50.

“Who was alive in 1977?” lead singer, Joe Elliott, 57, asked Wednesday.

The answer? Most of the crowd, if the screaming, foot-stamping reaction was any gauge.

Regardless of age, when guitarist Phil Collen, 59, took off his leather vest as he’s known to do, and finished the show shirtless, his ripped abs put many 20-year-olds to shame.

The crowd was already ramped up and raring to go thanks to a set by Tesla, a heavy metal band out of Sacramento.

When lead singer Jeff Keith said, “Cowboys and cowgirls saddle up and let’s ride!” before belting out “Modern Day Cowboy,” the audience roared its approval. But they saved truly ear-shattering screams for Poison.

This tour marks the first time in five years that Poison is touring with all original members, including Bret Michaels, CC DeVille, Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett, and the group proved to be a huge crowd favorite.

“We’re here with zero political message,” said Michaels. “We’re dedicating our show to the men and women of our armed forces who gave us the freedom to party.”

Though Michaels’ vocals were a bit wobbly at times, he got lots of audience love, especially from the sign-waving women in the front row.

“Your Mama Don’t Dance,” had folks on their feet, and cellphones flickered and waved when they wrapped up their set with “Every Rose Has Its Thorns.”

But the main attraction remained Def Leppard who performed a whopping 17 songs against a showy backdrop screen that alternately displayed old videos and new graphics.

Legendary one-armed, barefoot drummer, Rick Allen, rocked with amazing energy and Elliott’s vocals still hit the mark.

And the audience had plenty of staying power, too. After four hours of rocking, they were still on their feet, belting out “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” with the band.

The double encore of “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph” led to even more screams of approval.

As Elliott prepared to exit, he said, “Till next time and there will be a next time don’t forget us and we won’t forget you!”

He needn’t worry. After 40 years of delivering high-voltage rock ’n’ roll anthems and power ballads to their adoring fans, Def Leppard is simply unforgettable.

By The Spokesman-Review 2017.

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