Date: Sunday 9th December 2018
Venue: Metro Radio Arena (Newcastle, UK)
Three years to the date that I saw Def Leppard and Whitesnake at the very same venue in Newcastle, the Metro Radio Arena. This time it was in celebration of the Hysteria album which I am actually the same age as, ok I am a few weeks older! Released in 1987 the band still held in such high regard over that album that on this tour they play it all in track order, seriously how many different bands, groups or singers could do that with an album?
As soon as support act Cheap Trick (who were fantastic by the way, I love Want You To Want Me!) finished just before 8:30pm we had a timer appear from that time with a 30 minute count down, which in all honesty flew over which is always a good thing. Three years ago we had standing tickets and found it to be pretty tough on the legs with a support act and then two full sets. So this time we had seats and a truly fantastic view of it all to be honest. I am not the tallest and sometimes struggle to see when in the standing section at a gig. Having not been well for a couple of weeks, I needed the seat in all honesty. It might be the way forward now when it comes to buying tickets as the view was really good. I was in block 217 which is more towards the front in the Metro Radio Arena.
Cheap Trick Set List Def Leppard Set List
Joe Elliott is a truly outstanding front man and really works the crowd throughout the show. The band has consisted of Elliott, Rick Savage, Rick Allen, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell since 1992 which is a pretty impressive thing! It is the longest lasting line-up of the band and you can really tell how well they work together and that can only be because of all those years of doing it. How is it still possible for them to improve and rock out in such a great entertaining way?
I love this type of music and think it really is something you have to experience live and with the volume turned up so loud, leaving your ears ringing for hours after leaving the arena. Pour Some Sugar On Me is one of my all time favourite songs so to get to hear it live for a second time really was a special moment.
As you can see a little bit in this video the lights used really helped create more of an atmosphere and linked in with the high quality of music and singing from Joe Elliott. He really does own the crowd, even just raising his fist in the air and that is certainly a very special thing to be able to do.
After playing the Hysteria album they go off and then come back on to play more. I loved that we got 'When Love and Hate Collide' as that is such a great song. Not forgetting Let's Get Rocked . . .
Then finishing with another of my favourites 'Photograph' with old photos on the big screen it really was an extra special finish to the evening. Showing that this type of performance and music is just not created now, heading back to 1987 and then years after with some of the newer songs. I love classic rock and long may these bands continue to tour, putting younger artists to shame!
Let's Get Rocked!
