Words and Pictures: Adam Colwell
Def Leppard and Journey treated Nashville to a spectacle of classic rock on Saturday, July 20th, 2024. Not even the rain could prevent these powerhouses from rocking the night away. Joined by the iconic Steve Miller Band, the packed Nissan Stadium was in for a treat that will be talked about for days to come!
The Steve Miller Band
The Steve Miller Band opened up the evening with an electrifying journey through decades of classic rock and blues. Steve Miller’s timeless voice and masterful guitar riffs filled the venue with nostalgia and excitement.
The band’s tight-knit performance showcased their enduring musical legacy, effortlessly transitioning from iconic hits like “The Joker” and “Abracadabra” to deeper cuts that kept the crowd in awe. The stage presence was charismatic yet humble, creating an intimate connection with the audience that amplified the energy in the stadium. From the soulful harmonies to the soaring guitar solos, every moment of the concert was a testament to the band’s legendary status and their ability to captivate a crowd, making it an unforgettable showing for everyone lucky enough to be there.
SETLIST
Space Intro
Fly Like an Eagle
Serenade
Living in the U.S.A.
Abracadabra
Swingtown
Dance, Dance, Dance
Take the Money and Run
Rock’n Me
Jungle Love
The Joker
Jet Airliner (Paul Pena cover)
Journey
Journey then took the stage with their [always] high-energy stage show that delivered everything fans could hope for and more. Fronted by the charismatic Arnel Pineda [fronting Journey since 2007, some 17 years now!!], whose vocal range and stage presence channelled the spirit of Journey’s iconic former lead singer [who, if we’ve calculated this correctly, only fronted the band for 13 years over 2 stints – 1977-1987 and 1995-1998], the band brought the audience on a thrilling musical journey through their greatest hits. From anthems like “Don’t Stop Believin'” to power ballads such as “Open Arms,” every song, even the tour debut of ‘Ask The Lonely’ was met with thunderous applause and sing-alongs that echoed throughout Nissan Stadium. The showmanship was flawless, with Neal Schon’s blazing guitar solos adding depth and richness to each performance. The concert was a testament to Journey’s enduring legacy and their ability to connect with fans of all ages, leaving everyone in attendance exhilarated and longing for more by the time the rain filled performance concluded. Full credit to Pineda who deserves as much credit as frontman as their undoubtedly universally known former colleague.
SETLIST
Only the Young
Be Good to Yourself
Guitar Solo
Stone in Love
Ask the Lonely (Tour Debut)
Escape
Play Video
Faithfully
Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
Piano Solo
Open Arms
Line of Fire
Dead or Alive
Guitar Solo
Wheel in the Sky
Lights (Deen Castronovo on lead vocals)
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
Any Way You Want It
Don’t Stop Believin’
Def Leppard
Def Leppard treated the packed house to an exhilarating celebration of British rock ‘n’ roll at its finest. With their signature blend of hard rock and infectious pop hooks, the band delivered a powerhouse performance that left the audience on their feet for the whole performance. Led by Joe Elliott’s powerful vocals and supported by the dual guitar assault of Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, Def Leppard tore through their extensive catalogue of hits with precision and passion. Classics like “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Photograph” ignited the crowd, who sang along enthusiastically to every word. The band’s tight performance and energetic stage presence were unmatched, creating an electric atmosphere that lasted throughout the night. It was also great to see ‘This Guitar’ dedicated to Alison Krauss who was in the audience and of course sings with Joe on the studio version of the track as well. Let’s hope more of those collaborations come in the future as they definitely suit the Leppard of the 21st Century.
The concert was a testament to Def Leppard’s enduring influence and their ability to rock stadiums with timeless anthems that continue to resonate with fans old and new alike.
Def Leppard and Journey’s Stadium tour was a masterpiece of rock n’ roll, displaying why the trio of bands have continued to remain on fans playlists for decades. This may very well be the tour to see this summer if you can only attend one. There is something for everyone, old fans and new alike.
SETLIST
Gods of War (“Drastic Symphonies” version; countdown)
Pyromania Intro
Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
Rocket
Foolin’
Armageddon It (shortened ending version)
Animal
Love Bites
Just Like ’73
Comin’ Under Fire
Too Late for Love
Die Hard the Hunter (with no second verse/chorus)
Thrust Stage
Two Steps Behind (Joe solo; short acoustic version)
This Guitar (acoustic/electric version: dedicated to Alison Krauss who was in attendance)
Bringin’ On the Heartbreak (acoustic/electric version)
Switch 625
Rock of Ages
Photograph
Encore:
Hysteria (with extended outro)
Pour Some Sugar on Me