Wantagh/Jones Beach, NY - Media Review Quotes
By Markos Papadatos
Elliott nailed the high notes on the power-ballad "Love Bites" and he held up the microphone stand towards the end.
"Okay, Jones Beach, New York, we have a question for you. Do you want to get rocked?" he asked, prior to segueing into "Let's Get Rocked."
Elliott noted that their truck overturned on the previous day, which is why most the lights on their tour and props were damaged, so they worked with what they had, and he commended their crew for aiding them in getting the show on.
It was followed by a neat acoustic segment, where Elliott sang the ballad "Two Steps Behind" accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, with Vivian Campbell, Phil Collen and Rick Savage on soaring harmonies.
"What do you say Jones Beach?" he asked, prior to singing "Bring' on the Heartbreak," which had a haunting vibe to it and they incorporated it as a sing-along with the crowd.
They continued with the impressive electric instrumental "Switch 625" and "Hysteria," my favorite vocal of theirs of the night, especially since they incorporated archive images and clips of the band in the televised screen which was a real treat, as the stage was decorated in yellow and orange lights.
By Digital Journal 2014.
Read the full review at - digitaljournal.com
By John Soltes
Despite many setbacks, including a truck accident before the concert that changed the lighting arrangements and a curtain that didn’t want to work, KISS came, they destroyed, they rocked it and partied all night long. Fans knew something was up when the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in beautiful Wantagh, N.Y., didn’t open exactly on time. Around 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 6, the ushers finally let the crowd in, and it became clear that The Dead Daises, the opening act for the co-headlining tour of KISS and Def Leppard, would not be able to take the stage.
No hard feelings, at least that was the vibe among the packed house.
Instead, the fury began at 8 p.m. promptly. Def Leppard, the British rock band famous for “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” among other tunes, took the stage to the backing of the Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. It was a fitting introduction to rev up the crowd, who were hungry for some head banging and dancing. Lead singer Joe Elliott still has his impressive rock voice, bringing life to such classics as “Rock of Ages” and “Rocket”. He’s been fronting the band since 1977, and his mastery of the material is quite evident.
In their 80-minute set, the Def Leppard band members seemed in perfect unison with one another. This is likely because the band has been touring for more than 30 years with few lineup changes. There’s a way that Elliott’s voice perfectly matches the guitar riffs of Phil Collen. They jump around the stage as if these rock anthems were still eating up the Top 40 charts.
The packed house at the Jones Beach Theater ate up the entire set, singing along and refusing to sit down. This co-headlining tour means fans get a good chunk of songs packed into a limited time frame. Right after one anthem is done — like “Hysteria” — the band launches into another one with ease.
Def Leppard started their set at 8 p.m. with the sun setting to the back of the audience, casting a picturesque shading on the waters surrounding the theater. By the time 9:20 p.m. rolled around, the venue was brimming with excitement in the darkness of a cool summer night. Elliott was the first to inform the crowd that their truck holding the lighting equipment had crashed, but they had persevered and made it to the show. Before the encore, the band also discussed their dedication to the Wounded Warriors project and how both KISS and Def Leppard hired veterans as roadies for this tour.
By Hollywood Soapbox 2014.
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