DEF LEPPARD Rock The F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022 (Show Report/Setlist)
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Def Leppard played a show in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates earlier today with 16 songs performed.
The show took place at the 25,000-35,000 capacity Etihad Park on Yas Island.
A show played as part the Yasalam After-Race Concert series after the season ending Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The first time at this venue and event.
The first time all five members of the band have been back together on stage since the 9th September Las Vegas Stadium Tour show.
The first time Joe, Phil and Sav have played together since the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in Los Angeles, CA on 27th September.
Def Leppard Return To Live Action
Almost three months have now passed since the end of the massive 36 date 'The Stadium Tour' of North America.
The five band members gathered together again and in stark contrast to the start of that tour in the 30 degree heat and high humidity of the Middle East.
Sunshine and no sign of the torrential downpours that plagued the first 10 shows of the summer tour in the USA.
It may be winter in the UK but the heat and humidity greeted them as they helped the Formula One circus have a party to celebrate the end of another long 22 race season.
The race had ended an hour earlier under the floodlights of the Yas Marina Circuit when the band began their set.
The Setlist
The set was basically a repeat of the one played throughout the second half of The Stadium Tour.
The major change being the two acoustic songs were left out making it a 16 song set.
Update - Since posting this story 'Excitable' has been confirmed (see Fan Videos). And it was played after Promises.
The show started at around 9:15-9:20pm local time as the sun had set on the Formula One season.
Following opening sets by DJ Darryl Rees and local based band The Boxtones (who originate from Canada and Scotland) it was the turn of Def Leppard to close out the night.
The countdown played out on the side screens as it had all summer and the band kicked into gear with a mighty fine version of 'Take What You Want'.
Being played for the 39th time after its debuts on Jimmy Kimmel and at The Whisky show in May.
From there they went straight into equally fine versions of 'Let It Go' and 'Animal'.
The almost three months away from regular touring has seemingly not diminished their ability to play a great show with everything sounding just as good as it has since June.
And from there on the now familiar show played out in this impressive venue with a crowd in party mood.
Joe took the to time to mention the Formula One season and how great the crowd were.
And the usual one two of 'Rock Of Ages' and 'Photograph' ended the last show of 2022.
Return To Abu Dhabi
The band played an outdoor show here on 30th October 1999 during the Euphoria tour right after the UK and Irish tour had ended.
The venue was the Beach Arena @ InterContinental Abu Dhabi.
Followed up the day after by a show in Dubai at the Al Nasr Ice Rink Arena at Al Nasr Leisureland.
The first time the band had performed in the Middle East.
Etihad Park Venue
The show was staged in the massive Etihad Park venue or as it is sometimes known, the du Arena.
Actually a permanent outdoor stage set inside the HUGE Ferrari World Abu Dhabi complex building that looks like a giant star-shaped spaceship from above.
The complex is also home to the Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster.
A crowd of between 25,000 to 35,000 fans witnessed Def Leppard's rocking return to the UAE.
The next Def Leppard show takes place on 18th February 2023 in Mexico City, Mexico where The World Tour is set to begin.
Abu Dhabi, UAE 2022 Photos
Screenshots by dltourhistory.
Watch some Fan Videos from the show here.
Joe Elliott - Foolin' Intro
"Thank you. Thank you very much."
"Welcome everyone to the last Formula One of the year."
"It's good to be here sharing this moment with you all."
"Thanks for hanging around. A lot of songs for you tonight."
"Some new. Some old. Some in between."
"And here's one that goes back to 1983 and the Pyromania album."
Joe Elliott - Kick Intro
"Thank you. Thank you very much."
"Let's have a look at ya."
"It's good to see so many people in the crowd. Look at that."
"It's good to see so many people in one place because for many months, a couple of years, we couldn't do this."
"So we're very happy to be able to share this experience with so many people making so much f**king noise out there it's amazing thank you."
"During that period of time when we couldn't tour we managed to cobble an album together called Diamond Star Halos."
"We'd love to play you the first track from the new album."
"This one's called K.I.C.K. Kick!."
Joe Elliott - Pre-Rock Of Ages Speech
"...I know it's been a long day and it's been a hot long day."
"So we really appreciate you sharing this evening with us."
"And thanks for making all the noise that you've made tonight. We really appreciate that as well."
"You think you could make a bit more?. For the boy at the back. Stand up Rick Allen!. He's gonna introduce the next one for ya."
Joe Elliott - End Of Show Speech
"Abu Dhabi. And all those who have travelled to be here tonight. Thanks for coming. Thanks for having us. Thanks for being here."
"We'll see you again one day. Goodnight."
Def Leppard - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 20th November 2022 Setlist
- 01 - Take What You Want
- 02 - Let It Go
- 03 - Animal
- 04 - Foolin'
- 05 - Armageddon It
- 06 - Kick
- 07 - Love Bites
- 08 - Promises
- 09 - Excitable<
- 10 - Rocket (Single Version)
- 11 - Bringin' On The Heartbreak
- 12 - Switch 625 (instrumental)
- 13 - Hysteria (Extended Outro)
- 14 - Pour Some Sugar On Me
- 15 - Rock of Ages
- 16 - Photograph
'Excitable' was included in place of the acoustic set. Order now confirmed (see first FB video below).
Played for the first time since 8th July in Chicago, IL.
Various Photos/Videos
Thanks @DefLeppard for a spectacular night! Ecstatic to see that Rock of ages still rollin rock & rollin 🎸 inspired to see the legend @rickallenlive performing live, what an inspiration. if u don’t know, Rick plays the drums with 1 hand! #DefLeppard #uae #Formula1 #AbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/Q6xOThmLAF
— Ahmed Gamal-Eldin (@Ahmedgeldien) November 20, 2022
- Def Leppard - Abu Dhabi 2022 Show Page
- Def Leppard - Def Leppard Tour 2022
- Related News - 28th September 2022 - Los Angeles Show Report
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