Def Leppard News - 32 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Unveil HYSTERIA Tour IN THE ROUND Stage

Tuesday, 1st October 2019

32 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Unveil HYSTERIA Tour IN THE ROUND Stage

Def Leppard 1987

Def Leppard opened their US Hysteria tour 32 years ago on this day in 1987 in Glens Falls, NY using their unique In The Round stage for the first time.

The first North American show to promote the 'Hysteria' album was performed 'In The Round' at Glens Falls Civic Center.

Def Leppard were the first band to use a dedicated In The Round concert set up for a full tour.

This first show was attended by just 5,786 fans in the 7,500 capacity venue where they had rehearsed prior to opening night. The gross sales were $93,155 with tickets priced at $16.50.

The main world tour had started on 27th August 1987 in Dublin, Ireland.

The new stage was placed in the center of arenas with the lighting rig hung from the ceiling. Rick Allen was sat in the middle of the stage on a rotating drum riser so he could face all four sides during the show.

The concept was thought up by then co-manager Peter Mensch after seeing an In The Round style performance by Frank Sinatra.

Lasers were bounced off mirrors located around the stage and lighting rig creating the effect of hundreds of beams (as seen in the 'PSSOM' video). The computer circuit board imagery from the album cover was painted on the stage.

The unique stage design was captured for the In The Round-In Your Face concert video filmed in Denver, CO in February 1988 and eventually released on VHS in September 1989.