Adelaide, SA, Australia - Media Review Quotes

By Patrick McDonald

British band Def Leppard's tour in support of its Mirrorball live album is essentially a greatest hits package, with each member getting a chance to show off on some flashy instrumental solos.

There wasn't quite the sense of cartoonish fun which underpinned its 2008 Sparkle Lounge tour, although spectacular video screen imagery still provided plenty of visual entertainment.

All the expected anthems were there, from the chant-alongs of Rocket and Let's Get Rocked to the acoustic singalong Two Steps Behind, and the soaring Love Bites.

As the night wore on, the hits just kept coming: Armageddon It, Photograph, Pour Some Sugar on Me and Rock of Ages, all played with Leppard's signature energy and precision.

By Adelaide Now 2011.

Read the full review at - adelaidenow.com.au

LIVE: DEF LEPPARD & HEART By Scott McLennan

Editor Scott McLennan went along to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to see the bombastic aplomb of 80s rock heroes Def Leppard, supported by Heart.

Kicking off with Undefeated and Let's Get Rocked, hunched drummer Rick Allen's bare feet are shown on the big screens furiously working his pedals, with the stump of his lost left arm covered by a Union Jack shield. Allen gets a break during the acoustic Two Steps Behind, although Bringin' On The Heartbreak cranks it up a notch when the electric instruments kick back in.

With silky mane, gruff vocal and genial crowd banter ("I heard a two-part harmony out there - well done whoever that was!"), Elliott remains hard rock's answer to Rod Stewart, but beyond the great hooks and bad puns of Rocket, Armageddon It and the always impressive Love Bites, tonight's gig doesn't quite gel. While the Sheffield veterans' sound and lighting are great (in contrast to a poorly mixed and negligently lit Heart), unfortunately something feels a little tired.

The hits from Hysteria, Pyromania and Adrenalize stay strong, but - just like their 1999 album of the same name, the Euphoria tonight is missing.

By RipItUp 2011.

Back

share this page: