Def Leppard - Hammersmith Apollo Sunday 18th June 2006 reviewed by Cars

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This was the third time I'd seen the Leps. First was the Adrenalize tour, second during the Euphoria tour. Both of those were great albums so I was a little apprehensive at seeing them during the covers album Yeah. No doubt great fun for the band to make but pretty damn pointless all the same. A new album using covers as b-sides for the singles would have been much more appreciated but nevermind. I didn't see the support acts (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band & Cheap Trick) but I heard they both played for longer than the audience would have liked. In true Hammersmith tradition it was like a sauna in there so I was glad I didn't have to sweat out 2 support acts too. As it was I lost 3 stone during DL's set! The Leps burst (yep burst, they're not yet hobbling) onto the stage to the sound of Hell Rasier. A few fans on the way home were complaining they started with a cover but it didn't really bother me - it was a covers tour after all! The crowd went mad when they launched into (not so golden but definately oldie) Rock Rock ('Til You Drop). I saved my go mad moment for Let's Get Rocked. All continued to go well through the expected hits & I was pleasantly surprised that Promises was included as Euphoria is a vastly underated album & certainly the last decent thing they have released. It slowed down slightly when they played 3 cover versions back to back & quite nearly died when they made Rocket last for what seemed like hours. It picked up for the 4 final songs, but was let down for the encore. For a start they just walked back out (I hate it when bands do this - why can't they burst back on as if it were the start of the show again?). Then they bought out some Timmy Mallet look-a-like to play keyboards. I think he's in a side project band with Joe but who cares? To cap it all they did the ultimate sin in Cars' gig rules that they started encore with a ballad. No, no, no! What's exciting about that? They finished with the fantastic Pour Some Sugar On Me which did bring it back from the edge. Bit of a mixed bag this one. I think they did pretty much all the expected songs except Love Bites which they apparently did do the previous night in Sheffield (hello, make Rocket the correct length & you woulda fitted it in)! The lighting & screens were good enough, the band sounded just fine & Joe was okay. There was a certain something missing though. Good show but not as good as I've previously seen them. Highlights were Let's Get Rocked, Promises, Hysteria, Photograph, Pour Some Sugar On Me & Hanging On The Telephone (just 'cos I really love that song regardless of who sings it!) 6 out of 10 (3 of those deducated for missing out Love Bites) Setlist: Hell Raiser Rock Rock ('Til You Drop) Lets Get Rocked Make Love Like A Man Promises Hysteria Let It Go 20th Century Boy Hanging on the Telephone Rock On Rocket Photograph Armageddon It Animal Rock Of Ages -------- When Love & Hate Collide Pour Some Sugar On Me

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