It’s unlikely that Def Leppard would have been at The Leadmill on May 19th, 2023 if they hadn’t got an album out that day, or a tour with Motley Crue to promote – but there they were, raising funds to keep the venue alive, and you have to love them for it.
In fact, it’s sort of impossible not to love Def Leppard. I grew up in the 80s which means since I got into music in about 1981, they’ve kind of always been there – and if I like I wrote when I reviewed the box set for “Pyromania” earlier this year – I am not the biggest fan of their “Hysteria” stuff compared to the others when they keep it more raw and less polished they are essentially unbeatable.
This hour and a bit sticks to that. From “Action!” onwards, this is a rock band playing for fun. And it comes over brilliantly.
Their “Diamond Star Halos” album (the last all-new stuff they released) was if not a return to form then at least a timely reminder, and “Fire It Up” proves why. When they go back to (almost) the start for “Let It Go”, it’s clear that their early stuff still sounds so fresh – indeed they’re pretty good at keeping it fresh are The Leps as the different version of “Too Late For Love” proves.
A different, special, set, finds time for “Excitable” and “Mirror, Mirror (Look Into My Eyes)” sounds huge even in this club setting. And you wonder if even back in the day when they probably played this on this stage, they knew. Knew they’d take on the world and win?
As someone who still believes the “Slang” album is totally underrated, it’s a treat to hear its title song, and “Kick” from “….Halos” is almost perfect modern-day Leps, while the one ballad they do here “Bringing On The Heartbreak” is never to my taste, but what do I know?
“Switch 625” is much more like it, “Hysteria” played here works too, and the last one before the encore “Pour Some Sugar On Me” is one that you can’t resist. No one can. And if you’re not screaming “One lump or two” then check your pulse.
The encore, though, is all the proof you need that Def Leppard are one of the finest rock bands we’ve ever had. Joe Elliott talks about how when they were kids in 1978 they dreamed of playing this venue, and then the band now (still with two of the same guys in that he talks about) positively rip through “Wasted”.
Almost 50 years old, almost perfect, and they’ve never forgotten their roots or who they are. As Elliott himself says: “kop this!”
Rating 9/10
