DEF LEPPARD Live 2026 Summer Tour In Dessel (Show Report/Setlist)

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Monday, 22nd June 2026

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Def Leppard played a Live 2026 tour show in Dessel, Belgium last night with 19 songs performed.

The show took place at the 50,000 capacity Festivalpark Stenehei.

The band's first visit to Dessel since 2023.

The fourth time at the Graspop Metal Meeting festival.

Bedlam In Belgium

After two indoor arena shows showcasing the full Las Vegas Residency staging the band made their way from Switzerland to Belgium.

And back outside to a large field in Dessel, 36 miles east of the city of Antwerp.

A return to the Graspop metal Meeting festival held at the Festivalpark Stenehei.

Sunshine and temperatures of around 30C greeted them and this time they moved from one side of the double stage to the other.

Having played on the South Stage side in 2023 this time it was the North Stage side.

Up to 50,000 metal fans in place before 1pm to see bands on both stages.

Four bands set to play before them on the North Stage.

Other Festival Acts

Everygrey opened the show on the North Stage at 12:55pm.

They were followed by old tour mates Europe just before 3pm.

Two other old, but slightly more recent, tour mates followed in Foreigner.

And then Alice Cooper with his and other bands sets being live streamed by VRT TV.

Def Leppard's show was not part of the North Stage live stream.

Extreme technically were on the same bill at this show too but playing earlier on the South Stage.

The Sunset Show

The crowd were treated to an amazing sunset as 10pm approached with Def Leppard hitting the stage at 10:05pm.

'Rejoice' making its debut in Belgium.

Not exactly metal but fans at the festival had enjoyed seeing Europe play 'The Final Countdown' live and Extreme play 'More Than Words' with a few videos posted.

Sadly the crowd didn't post much footage but a few clips here and there showed another great festival performance by the band.

'Animal', 'Let's Get Rocked', 'Love Bites', 'Rocket', 'Rock Of Ages' and 'Hysteria' all looking and sounding as great as usual.

The sunset seemed to last throughout the show and the band again making use of the two side screens and the side screen from the South Stage during the show.

As seen in the pics and fan videos this gives the band three massive side screens as well as the big one behind them.

The festival schedule showed a start time of 10:05pm and and end time of 11:20pm.

With only 1 hour and 15 mins on stage some songs had to be cut out of the usual setlist.

World Cup

The set time also clashed with the second half of the Belgium team playing a World Cup match against Iran.

The game ended in a goaless draw so no crowd cheering here for any goals.

Just before their shorter than usual show was almost over the metal crowd were hit with Sugar once again.

'Let It Go' was also added as an extra song after this.

PSSOM possibly the song most of them would have recognised along with the classics played earlier by Europe and Extreme.

A fourth show played here at Belgium's largest heavy rock festival.

Technically the festival itself was actually ended by metal band Sabaton who closed the South Stage from 11:30pm to 1:15am.

The end of their show featuring a massive fireworks display.

Now a quick day off for the band before heading over to Germany and back indoors.

Their upcoming UK shows won't clash with any England World Cup matches but this one in Germany is set to start as the England team play their second game.

Might be some talk from Joe about this on stage, or maybe not seeing as the show is in Germany!.

13 Song Setlist

'Rejoice' was played here for the first time.

Six songs were cut from the setlist due to time constraints and 'Let It Go' made its tour debut as an extra song after PSSOM.

Thanks for Xavier for confirming the setlist order and providing Joe's quote - (now updated from a Fan Video - see Fan Videos link for full song).

Read his Fan review below.

Dessel History

The first visit to Dessel took place at Graspop in June 2008 during the Sparkle Lounge tour.

Playing a short ten song set on the Main Stage before Whitesnake and Judas Priest.

They would return to the festival in June 2019 playing before headliners KISS on the Main Stage.

June 2023 saw them back again playing the South Stage during The World Tour alongside Motley Crue who closed the North Stage beside them.

Last nights show was the fourth performance in Dessel.

The next Def Leppard show takes place in on 23rd June in Dortmund, Germany.

Dessel, Belgium 2026 Photos

Screenshots by dltourhistory.

Watch some Fan Videos from the show here.

Def Leppard - Dessel, Belgium 21st June 2026 Setlist

01 - Rejoice

Played for the first time in Dessel.

02 - Animal
03 - Let's Get Rocked
04 - Bringin' On The Heartbreak
05 - Switch 625 (Instrumental)
06 - Rocket (Single Version)
07 - Armageddon It
08 - Love Bites
09 - Rock of Ages
10 - Photograph

11 - Hysteria/Bass Intro/Extended Outro

12 - Pour Some Sugar On Me

13 - Let It Go

Played for the first time in 2026. Added as an extra song.

Show Intro Voice

"Ladies and gentleman."

"Would you please welcome Universal recording artists Def Leppard!."

Joe Elliott - Let's Get Rocked Intro

"Good evening Graspop!."

Joe Elliott - Let It Go Intro

"Well we were told we had to be off at a certain time, but they've told us we can do another one."

"You want another one?."

"It's literally, we're actually gonna do something we haven't even f***ing rehearsed!."

"So this could be...interesting."

"You ready for this?!."

"Phil all yours."

Def Leppard Dessel, Belgium 2026 Fan Review by Xavier

The setlist was very much a "Best Of" selection, although it was missing Personal Jesus, Slang, Like 73, Rock On, White Lightning, and When Love and Hate Collide.

The band was in great form, and Joe's voice was excellent. The atmosphere and the crowd were fantastic, especially considering everyone had endured four days of intense heat.

The biggest surprise came at the very end. The band had played through the set quite quickly and had probably dropped one song too many, leaving enough time for an unexpected encore. Joe told the audience something like "We've got time for one more song. We haven't rehearsed it, so let's see how it goes." They then launched into Let It Go. At the end of the song, Joe and Phil exchanged a high five after delivering a very fast-paced version of the track. It was a genuinely spontaneous and memorable moment.

It's a shame we didn't get the full planned setlist, but it was still a truly excellent concert.

One amusing observation: with each appearance at Graspop, it's becoming increasingly clear that the band's popularity has been revived. There were noticeably more young fans wearing Def Leppard T-shirts than in previous years.

Various Photos/Videos