Def Leppard & Journey rocked South Florida one more time
Some of my friends and I were very excited as it was going to be the first time for them seeing both bands even though they have been fans for most of their lives. The expectations for this night were very high so we were eager to see how it would unfold. The BB&T Center doors opened at 6:00pm and everyone started to fill their seat waiting for the kick off. Slowly but surely the arena got filled, from what I could see it was very full, guessing from the numbers I would estimate over sixteen thousand fans in attendance.
Journey hit the stage at 7:25pm and played a long set of one hour and a half full of the hits that the audience was expecting, coupled with an incredible performance by all members. Arnel’s voice and energy captivated us all, the drum solo by Steve Smith wowed everyone and it was truly remarkable to see such genius percussionist having so much fun. Last but not least, Neal Schon’s and Jonathan Cain’s solos on guitar and piano respectively reminded us why we all have fallen in love with the band throughout its history. The graphics and lighting on stage were highly polished as it’s expected for such a big act. The performance and the stories shared by the band put the crowd in a great mood, it went from a sea of “Lights” to an explosion of energy and confetti at the end of “Don’t Stop Believin’”.
After a 30 minutes break we got Def Leppard kicking of the set with “Rocket” and “Animal”. What a beginning that was, they clearly know how to ignite the spirits and get everyone’s adrenaline pumping. Once again the graphics and lights enhanced the experience and during “Love bites” we got a synchronized laser display that definitely left the fans ecstatic and at awe. The set was very well designed. It infused us with a roller-coaster of emotions, using progression from a fast song like “Foolin’” to a ballad like “When Love and Hate Collide” to fast once again with “Let’s get rocked”, proving beyond the shadow of any doubt that time has not mellow them at all and they still master the craft of rocking an audience. After what looked like the end with their iconic song “Pour Some Sugar on Me” came the encore and the show culminated with “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph” as the closer.
My favorite part of the night was seeing my friends in the distance bouncing and being completely blown away by both performances. This definitely became a night to remember for the rest of our lives and something to look back to in the future.
JOURNEY Set-List:
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) / Only the Young / Escape / Stone in Love / Be Good to Yourself / Neal Schon Guitar Solo #1 / Lights / Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ / Jonathan Cain Piano Solo / Who’s Crying Now / Open Arms / La Do Da / Steve Smith Drum Solo / Any Way You Want It / Neal Schon Guitar Solo #2 / Liberty / Wheel in the Sky / Faithfully / Don’t Stop Believin’
DEF LEPPARD Set-List:
Rocket / Animal / Foolin’ / When Love and Hate Collide / Let’s Get Rocked / Armageddon It / Rock On (David Essex cover) / Two Steps Behind / Man Enough / Love Bites / Bringin’ on the Heartbreak / Switch 625 / Hysteria / Pour Some Sugar on Me
Encore: Rock of Ages / Photograph
PICTURE GALLERY
