Holmdel, NJ - Media Review Quotes
By Brian Ives
Before Def Leppard hit the stage, the soundsystem was playing a number of hard rock classics; during "Won't Get Fooled Again," a countdown clock appeared on the monitor screens, and when it hit zero, the band hit the stage, playing along with the Who, circa 1971. During KISS's set, in the middle of their '80s hit "Lick It Up," they played a segment of the same song. Perhaps the line, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss," resonated with both bands: they've both endured several trends over the decades and remain ridiculously popular, outlasting countless critical flavors-of-the-month.
Def Leppard's set was solid as well, but it recalled the press conference a few months ago, where the two bands announced the co-headlining tour. Def Leppard are a bunch of regular guys done good, thanks to their merging of heavy rock and power pop. But next to KISS, they are less visually exciting (although some women might disagree: vegan bodybuilder/guitarist Phil Collen was a focal point for several women in the audience). That said, their set had way more top 40 hits than KISS, and more than most any other rock band from the past three decades, for that matter. "Animal," "Foolin'," "Love Bites," "Let's Get Rocked," "Hysteria" (which saw singer Joe Elliott drop in a line from the KISS ballad "Beth"), "Rocket," "Armageddon It," "Pour Some Sugar On Me," "Rock of Ages" and "Photograph"… that's a discography that most rock bands (maybe including KISS) would kill to have. The band also stripped it down for a few acoustic numbers, "Two Steps Behind" and "Bringing on the Heartbreak," giving a bit of intimacy that their warpainted tourmates didn't (although KISS does do a private acoustic set before their shows for a high rolling V.I.P. audience, they don't do that during their concert). Def Leppard also reminded fans of their early heavy rock days with their opening number, "Let It Rock."
It's easy to be cynical about a 30 year old band and a 40 year old band playing time honored classics before a largely middle aged crowd. Cynicism is your right. But the younger segment of the audience clearly loved the show - and who is playing this kind of good-time rock aimed at their demographic these days anyway? Both KISS and Def Leppard likely noted this, as they picked up their guitars and played, just like yesterday; and just like they are likely to for many years to come.
By WCBSFM 2014.
Read the full review at - audacy.com/wcbsfm
By Robert Cavuoto
Def Leppard who have been opening the string of shows was set up in front of KISS’s stage. They still had ample room to interact among themselves and work the crowd.
Gone on this tour is the catwalk that they’ve brought on previous tours. Not having it showcased the band camaraderie and allowed their playful spirit to take off, yet on a smaller scale.
Their 14 song set list read like a perfect greatest hits CD, covering all of the band’s anthemic hits that put them on the map, from “Let it Go” to “Animal” to “Pour Some Sugar” to “Hysteria”. They even squeezed in two acoustic songs; “Two Steps Behind” and “Bring on the “Heartbreak”.
Highlights of the show were the three songs off Pyromania; “Foolin,” “Rock of Ages,” and, of course, “Photograph”.
Vocalist and ring leader, Joe Elliott, strutted the stage with a swagger that only he has, gripping his scarf-embellished microphone stand and working the crowd. Joe still has his raspy chops which helped launch the band over three decades ago.
Bassist, Rick Savage, ran the full expanse of the stage on this muggy night, working the girls into a lather. He was the only member to have two microphone stands on both sides of Joe.
Guitarists, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, provided the solid musical foundation for the band to soar, dazzling the crowd with soulful licks and dual leads.
Phil who always has an amazing arsenal of guitar, debuted his latest creation, a black Jackson X-Stroyer guitar reminiscent of the Ibanez Destroyer X in their earlier MTV videos. He even played it on the appropriate songs like “Foolin”, “Rock of Ages,” and “Photograph.”
Vivian Campbell looked and sounded great and never faltered, while “Thunder God” Rick Allen kicked the shit out of his kit making such songs as “Rocket” and “Switch 625” bone crunching and chest pounding experiences.
The energy of their live performance was equally matched to the energy heard on every CD. As Joe left the stage he said to the crowd.
“Don’t forget about us – we won’t forget about you, see you next time!” And so ends a nearly 75 minute party that is a Def Leppard live show.
By Guitar International 2014.
By Phil de Fer
As for Vivian Campbell, he has shown himself equal to himself, humble and subtle despite chemotherapy. Irish guitarist indeed fight bravely against cancer. It is a standing ovation as he reserved the public. Def Leppard still definitely one of the most effective and most endearing world music bands.
By Rock 'n' Roll 2014 - (Translated-see link for full review).
Read the full review/10 photos at - phil-de-fer.eklablog.com
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