Def Leppard, Journey, Steve Miller Rock Wrigley Field

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Rob Grabowski, Tom Antonson and Roman Sobus caught Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller In The Act during show at the Wrigley Field stop of The Stadium Tour on Monday, July 15, 2024 in Chicago. Check out Tom's review and Rob and Roman's photos!

Last night the Summer Stadium tour featuring Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller paid a visit to Chicago's legendary Wrigley Field. Tens of thousands of fans braved the heat, and looming storms, to see the three Rock-N'- Roll giants. Their visit and sets were, unfortunately, cut short and start time moved up due to severe storms that covered the Chicagoland area. It's a shame that they waited till an hour and a half before show time to make the decision. Wrigley Field is not an easy venue to get to, and with most people coming from the surrounding suburbs, it was impossible to make it on time to see Steve Miller. The storms were in the area and the weather forecast was the same from the night before and they should have made the decision to move the show up in the morning to give the concertgoers ample time to adjust their schedules. With the considerable investment into concert tickets, this was an extremely disappointing handling of the situation. People in Chicago understand weather and the fact that they waited as late as they did to let people know is unacceptable. While the show was a little bit shorter, that did not stop all three bands from bringing the heat.

Opening the show with his signature blues-infused rock, Steve Miller Band set the tone with timeless tracks like "The Joker" and "Fly Like an Eagle." Miller's guitar solos resonated through the stadium, and got the crowd members that were able to arrive early, on their feet and warmed up.

Once Miller's set concluded, the road crew raced to get Journey on stage, and when Journey burst onto the stage they were greeted by thunderous applause. With Arnel Pineda's powerhouse vocals channeling Steve Perry's iconic sound, hits like "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Separate Ways" ignited a wave of nostalgia and sing-alongs among fans from multiple generations. Neal Schon's masterful guitar work soared through the stadium, reaffirming Journey's status as rock legends. Pineda and Schon used the giant stage and the long risers to their advantage, connecting with the crowd at every chance they could. While Journey has experienced a few lineup changes, Keyboardist Jonathan Cain and Drummer Deen Castronovo were joined by bassist Todd Jensen and keyboardist/backing vocalist Jason Derlatka. While the set was shortened by a few songs, the entire band powered through countless 1970's and 1980's anthems and turned Wrigley Field into a giant karaoke bar.

Anticipation peaked as Def Leppard blasted onto the stage celebrating 40 years of their landmark album "Pyromania". The band promised an all new setlist, which was complemented by their giant stage setup and new video graphics. The band ignited the show with their hit "Rock Rock Till You Drop" and thankfully, nobody dropped even though the Chicago air was hot and sticky. The band delved into their vast catalogue of hits playing deep cuts they have not played live until this tour. The audience was treated to songs like "Comin' Under Fire", "Too Late for Love" and more. The band was definitely not "Foolin'" around with the storms looming on the horizon. Unfortunately, the acoustic set and legendary combo of "Bringin' on the Heartache" and "Switch 625" were excluded to save time. While some fans may have been heartbroken by this, the Lepps still delivered a high energy show full of their greatest hits. The band even played "Just Like '73" which was released a few weeks ago in anticipation for the tour.

The band's high-octane performance kept the momentum alive with anthems like "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Photograph," showcasing Joe Elliott's charismatic stage presence and Rick Allen's awe-inspiring drumming prowess. Guitarists Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen kept the crowd on their feet and jaws on the floor with their guitar mastery and strong backing vocals. Bassist Rick Savage kept things on the low end in check with his skillful bass work and backing vocals. Def Leppard is known for having four of the strongest voices in rock and roll, and this show was no exception. However, the tens of thousands and multiple generations of fans enjoying the show also sounded amazing singing some of the biggest hits of the 1980's. It was a shame that the band had to cut the setlist because they have enough hit songs and material to cover at least 2 set lists.

While the show was shorter than some people wanted, Wrigley Field reverberated with the fans' energy, so there was definitely a little "Hysteria" in the air before the storm.

As the night drew to a close and the roar of the crowd faded, Joe Elliott from Def Leppard asked the crowd for a favor, which was "Don't forget us and we won't forget you". Then in his lasting tradition, Elliott made a promise to the crowd, which was "See you next time, and there will be a next time", which was welcomed news to all in attendance. Hopefully, the next time they make it through the Windy City, mother nature will be a bit more accommodating.

See more of Rob's photos here

Photos by © Rob Grabowski / GrabowskiPhoto.com - All Rights Reserved

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