Dublin, Ireland - Media Review Quotes

By Aidan Coughlan

Def Leppard emerge to a graphic of the Union Jack in green, white and orange. Amhrán na bhFiann plays in the background, stopping suddenly as the flag reverts to its normal colours of red, white and blue. Wow. What a brave move to pull in Dublin.

The headline act aren't as over the top as Whitesnake or as fun as Journey. But they certainly show that their place in the annals of rock is justified, as Joe Elliot leads an exciting if not mind-blowing set with all the usual frills attached. Meanwhile, one-armed drummer Rick Allen shows himself to be one of the wonders of the ancient rock world.

By Aidan Coughlan @ The Independent 2009.

Read the full review/1 photo at - independent.ie

By Robert O Connor

As the intro fades, the band appear as silhouettes on stage to the pounding drums of Rocket as Joe Elliot runs down a ramp that stretches into the centre of the audience and immediately excites the packed crowd. Leppard's performance is so tight and delivered with such energy, it's hard to understand why this band aren't more popular in Ireland. A furious performance of Action spurs on the crowds excitement before the band dip into their latest album, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, for a converting version of C'mon, C'mon. The band follow up with a sing along favourite, Make Love Like A Man before delighting die hard fans with Too Late for Love, a track sadly missing from most of their recent sets. Recent single, Nine Lives follows before a set defining rendition of Love Bites, another track Leppard omitted far too often from their sets.

At this point, the band depart as Rick Savage plays an eclectic bass solo that works as an intro to the band's cover of Rock On. Joe, Sav, Phil and Vivian cover every single square inch of the stage without standing still for more than a heartbeat in case they'd miss anyone. There's no denying Leppard are five of the best showmen in the world and they manage all this without missing a beat. Sav runs up and down the ramp with his massive bass in toe as Joe leaps from one side of the stage to the other to make sure no one is taking it easy after so many hours standing.

An acoustic performance of Two Step's Behind delights the greatest hits fans before launching into a semi acoustic performance of Bringin' on the Heartbreak. Another rarity pops up with Switch 625 before exploding into a greatest hits selection to finish their set. Animal, Armageddon It, Photograph and Pour Some Sugar on Me shred through the crowd causing mass sing alongs with thousands of hands stretched in the air. Before playing their last song, Joe Elliot makes an emotional tribute to drummer Rick Allen and reminisces about their last show at the SFX in 1987, much to the delight of the diehards in attendance. The band gives one final thrill with an electrifying set closer of Rock of Ages before departing the stage.

By Drop-D 2009.

Back

share this page: