Before I start this post, here's a little heads up. It's written from a point of view of a big fan, who has been pretty much in love with Joe Elliott for the past thirteen years, like I get ''hysteria when he's near'', so things below this point may get…saucy. There you've been warned. Now, moving on…
Don't you just hate it sometimes when you're looking forward to something and counting down days and it seems like the days aren't moving but then the thing you waited for finally happens and it's over in a blink of an eye and then you're left there wondering ''what the fuck am I going to do with my life now?''
This is how I feel right now. After last Wednesday post concert depression hit me hard. I mean it always does. You're looking forward to a show for months in advance and they always seem to end too fucking fast. But this one is worse, way worse and you know why? Because Def Leppard are one of my absolute favourite bands (go figure, old and lots of -blond- hair no wonder I like them) and I've been waiting to see them for about ten years. Tours never stopped close enough so it felt like I'll never get the chance to see them live. Each time they announced a UK tour I was basically sobbing and then outta nowhere ''Milano Italy 19.6.2019''. Guys, I lost it when I heard. Screaming, crying, sobbing, freaking out, fangirling. The whole ordeal.
After all those really rough few months, this was the only thing I was looking forward to and though it was absolutely amazing I am so sad that it's already over. Sure there will be more concerts, there's always a chance of another Leppard show (come one once aint enough) but you can only lose your band virginity once. First show is always special. First one is always the best. Unless it's Bon Jovi, second time around was much better than first, even if Richie wasn't with them no longer the second time.
Milano is a beautiful city as is, but honestly not my favourite concert location, which means it's reserved only for bands I really love, if it's a band I just like not love, then I'd rather not be bothered. I mean I love Italy I really do but hell their subway system would make a nun turn into Satan in ten seconds flat. Not just that I don't actually have subway at home, theirs seems to be especially complicated. Vienna? No problem. Milano? Murder me. Not to mention that right now Milano really isn't the best place to be, hight of the tourist season, awful heat and huge long lines everywhere. Of course even buying tickets to see the famous Cathedral is mission impossible because Italians love to make your life miserable. It's beautiful but hell I aint gonna wait in line for two hours just to see it inside (again) after some genius thought of a really ''great'' ticket buying system.
It's a good thing that my actual reason for visiting wasn't to see the sights but to see a bunch of sexy old men. A bunch of blonde British hot men. I may as well roll over and die over the hair, the style, the sex appeal. No really I'm good, just is it hot in here?
Of course another thing bothering me with Italians is their punctionality. If the ticket says doors open at 6 pm, well do you mind doing that too? I mean it's all nice and dandy and not a problem to wait in line for a bit longer but when that line is out in the sun and it's well over 30 outside. Well then it's not fun no more. Organisation organisation organisation! I can't scream that loud enough. Security not knowing where which sector is? Of the venue? How? Jesus christ. But hey at least the mix that was playing was great.
Just minutes before Whitesnake hit the stage Depeche modes Personal Jesus was playing and it's that one song by Depeche that I actually like so I was actually singing along. Totally at the edge of my seat all nerves on fire. All I thought about at that point was ''holy fuck, Joe Elliott is in this building somewhere and he's going to be on that stage soon'' hell.
You know what follows right? Song ends. Suddenly all the lights in the venue turn off, screaming starts, only source of light at that moment are the lights backstage and a few phones lighting the room like sometime ago in better times, lighters did. And it's that adrenaline filled moment that will forever remain my favourite thing on the planet. No matter what you experience in life, no matter how good things are, no sex, no drugs, no nothing could beat that moment. Moment of anticipation in the venue and the curtain falling or lights turning back on and the band is right there. When that first note hits and makes you forget anything and everything and you really live in that very moment. Nothing beats that feeling. That high that that gives. I live for those moments. Those rare moments of absolute happiness.
Right. I saw Whitesnake for the first time on 12.7.2016 when they actually played in my country. First I didn't plan on going but then rumours came up ''last tour'' and such so I pulled the trigger and went. No regrets. I know David gets a lot of mean comments over his voice that is no longer as it was but jesus christ cut the guy some slack, he's trying the best he can. For himself, for his love of music and also for us, the fans. So how about showing some love instead of bitching? I actually rather like the new raspy, growling voice, what worries me most is that he might damage it permanently if he stressed it too much . So if you're gonna complain ''doesn't sound like he did before'' I will kick your ass to another planet so help me jesus. David is an amazing musician, he gives his all on stage each night he preforms and I got nothing but mad respect towards him for that. Well done sir.
Show in Milano started with Bad boys. I love, love, LOVE that song. Now it sings about ''boys'' but this part of the song…I can relate to ''I know you, you know me, I'm the black sheep of the family, I'm in an' out of trouble, I'm the talk of the town, I get wild in the street when the sun goes down.''
Yep this is how I roll. What's life without a little trouble huh?
Right after Bad boys there were ''Slide it in, Love ain't no stranger, Hey you, Slow and easy, Shut up and kiss me, Is this love, Give me all your love, Here I go again'' and of course the last song of the night ''Still of the night''.
See what most people don't get is that David has been out there killing it on stage for a good part of the last 50 years. 50! Can you imagine that? It's amazing. And their music never lost it's quality or their value. This current tour is to support their new album titled ''Flesh and blood'', which by the way is totally badass. Shut up and kiss me is actually the first single off their new album and a song they preformed in Milano. I loved it from the first play. Catchy song, great guitar riffs and amazing vocals. And the lyrics! Yes safe to say I really love the song.
So y'all know where the band name ''Whitesnake'' comes from right? There's been an ''urban myth'' that the name comes from Davids dick? Yeah, he confirmed that. So hey, Whitesnake translates to Coverdales Penis. Fun. Hah. Which brings us to stage presence on the concert. OH.MY.GOD. You guys! Not a David I was used to. All touchy feely. Touching himself on all those places which in turn only made me think ''hell can I come over and touch you?''. Hey don't judge. Long haired rockers? Yes please. Not to mention dance moves, probably making more women in the venue hot under their collars not just me. It was sexy as hell is what I'm trying to say. The combo of the voice, guitars, drums, Davids ''wandering hands''…sweet jesus. I probably died on the spot and went to heaven because all THAT couldn't really be happening could it?
One of my favourite ballads ''Is this love'' was also as perfect as ever. Sounds different now but that doesn't make it any worse quality wise. I love it even more now because I know just how much effort and love and actual work is put into it, and not just this song, the entire show of course. Is this love is a lighter song. But sad reality is that nobody has Zippos on concerts anymore. They're not allowed and you have to settle for second best. Cellphones. Ugh. It really ruins the mood if you ask me. But it is what it is. The song is still beautiful and David puts just enough emotion into singing it to make it special. With all this David praise let's not forget about Joel Hoekstra and Reb Beach who by the way are both out of this world. Nobody cares about singing 100% the same as 20 years ago and hitting all those high notes when you got two guys like that in your band, with a guitar duel battle that's just out of this world. Tommy Aldridge as well. Great drummer.
All in all, great support for Leppard and I have to say I enjoyed every moment of their preformance just like I did the first time around. But there's one thing I actually can't skip in this post. The sound! My god what the hell happened there? I mean I've seen it many times before, sound being shit for the opening act but great for the headliners. I hate that so much. Don't they all deserve the same credit? The Forum is actually a great venue, sound vise, so I just can't process why the hell did Whitesnake sound so off on moments. Specially because Leppard were quite a bit louder yet their sound was completely polished.
It's nice enjoying the ''opening act'' for a change (even if here, Whitesnake can only be a co headliner not support, they're just as big as Leppard are if not bigger) because to be fair, and I don't want to be rude, but in most cases everyone is just itching for support to get off stage soon to see the band you came to see. I admit I'm the same, even if I discovered some great unknown bands this way.
Whitesnake left the stage with ''We wish you well'' playing on tape and I swear all my nerves caught on fire. Not because of the song but because oh my god! Leppard are in this building, breathing the same air! Holy fuck! They're about to hit the stage any minute. Shit Joe Elliott is right here somewhere. Yes I know, I have an unhealthy obsession with him. I know, but I swear it's really the music I love most. I tend to scream each time Pour some sugar on me is on the radio…more on that a bit later though…great band, great music, perfect lead singer.
The set started with Rocket (yeah!), and honestly before actually realising what they are playing I was just stunned and starstruck. They're real. They're on the stage. They're right here. Joe is real. His blonde hair is super ''Prince charming'' and he's all smiles and I am hyperventilating. I love that man. Did I mention?
Def leppard sold over 100 million records worldwide, both Hysteria and Pyromania are Diamond albums which puts Leppard right at the top of most successful UK rock bands, or just bands in general. Their shows are packed with energy, dynamic great music and nothing but rock n roll. I hear people complaining that they're far from rock, that they're closer to pop but hey cmon now ''easy rock'' or what's that word ''Kuschel rock''? Leppard are great to play and relax after a long day or put on after a date if you wanna get some action. Would work for me anyways. Hah.
It must be quite an amazing feeling when what 30 000 + sing your songs back to you. Though Mediolanum forum in Milano is smaller, I think it holds about 13 000 people. And it was packed! Filled with people to the very last corner and boy were those people loud. Well ha! Who am I to speak, he sings Hysteria and I get literally hysterical. Safe to say my throat is still a bit raw and voice a bit raspy. But like that's the least you can do right? Sing and scream along to those songs that you love so much. Give the bands the credit they deserve. Show them love. I mean yeah showing love must be nicer a bit differently too…I could insert a paragraph here with a very dirty detailed dream from last night, about licking, biting, exchanging body heat, all hands and rough kisses BUT I have a feeling you don't really want to read that. A little side note though, Joe? He's an amazing kisser. What? It was a very vivid dream.
I swear there were moments on the concert where it felt like the sheer screaming will blew the roof right of off the venue. Joe took a moment to say it's a shame they didn't come sooner, if they knew what kinda crowd there is in Italy they would. Why? ''because you are loud, and we love loud'' (cough cough…). Right after that he tells us to get just a bit louder…if that was possible. And to be honest suddenly I felt like I walked into a One Direction show right at their height of the career where teens were so hysteric your ears would bleed from screaming alone.
The way Phil and Vivian play that riff of Rocket is just about orgasmic and of course right after Rocket you've got Animal, to be quite honest looking at Phil, half naked, those damn toned muscles, guitars with scarves hanging from them and that attitude? Totally ''animalistic'' like a wild animal on the loose. In a good way. The man is incredible. He didn't take his vest off though. And I was just ''complaining'' how he never wears shirts. See that's what I get hah.
And then there's Savage. Hell the man has some serious style and sex appeal. Did you see all that hair and glitter? Cher would envy him. And yeah I'm dying. Again. The rockstar moves aren't helping my case either. Great musician just like the rest of them. Bass is so on point as is his singing.
But my actual issue is Mr. Elliott. Oh lord. That man will be the death of me. Literally. He has this charisma about him and this larger than life persona not to mention his singing. The man leaves his blood, sweat, tears and lungs on that stage. His voice holds so much power and he sings all those different ranges without a problem. Doesn't break a sweat and every note is completely on point. Of course a bit more intimate approach would be nicer too, I don't mean anything dirty here, calm down, I mean more communication with the crowd. More talking, like the boss and his speaches.
Right after Animal there was Let it go and then, first tears of the evening ''When love and hate collide''. Full on fountain mode. This is such a beautiful song. The lyrics, the melody. The way Joe sings it, emotionally, his voice almost breaking at a couple of different parts of the song, you can feel the emotions the song sings about. It was like all my nerves caught fire. All my emotions were scrambled and all my hairs were up even the ones I don't even have anymore. Don't ask. The crowd was signing along to every line and then the very last verse, it was was just Joe, no music, no nothing just his amazing voice. Sweet jesus take the wheel because I am done for.
Show goes on with Let's get rocked. I'm sorry Joe but do you want to get rocked? Because I am all for it, any day any time. Of course there's also Armageddon it, David Essexs Rock on, Two steps behind with the entire band together on the ''cat walk'' singing together too. BEAUTIFUL. Followed by Man enough, newer song, came out in 2015, made me instantly fall in love with them even more, as if that was possible. But to be fair ''are you man enough to be my girl?'' yeah, yeah I am, but are you man enough to handle me? That's a better question.
Love bites! (I can too, if you're in to it Elliott, just putting that out there…) laser effects, Joe's perfect voice that sounds exactly as it does on vinyl if not better, the guitars, man it's a surreal experience. And did you know that Love bites was supposed to be a country song before it got ''Lepparded''? Thank fuck it never turned country because that would be a disaster. It's one of my favourite Leppard songs and though I do love country, a little bit of ''jump on the hood of my daddy's tractor'' I have a hard time imagining Love bites as country.
Right after Switch 625 followed and of course Hysteria. Seriously the whole ''I get hysterical, hysteria…''? Yes that's me. Full on hysteria. Howling along, as loud as I can and screaming. The album that shares the name with the song Hysteria was aparently one of the most expensive albums ever recorded in UK because they had numerous problems and issues with it. Delays and accidents. But honestly, and this is hard for me, picking favourite albums is like picking a favourite amongst children, you shouldn't nor you couldn't do it. Yet Hysteria is on my top five. Obsessed. In love. Entire album. All songs are perfect and I am so glad they ''suffered'' through all their issues and released this master piece in the end. It desereved all the love (and more) it got.
Delays and accidents bring us back to Rick Allen. He lost his arm in a car accident so young. A drummer. It feels like a complete disaster but let's point out how much I love the guys for basically going ''we're doing this record with Rick or we're not doing it at all''. I mean more often than not money is the only thing that matters. But here friendship did and giving a chance to Rick proved to be the right thing to do, given how Hysteria broke all records.
I loved watching Rick on stage, not only is he an amazing drummer but I loved watching him smile, I loved how all the other band members were pretty much celebrating his talent, urging the crowd to erupt in another fit of screams and claps to praise the best (and only?) one armed drummer. The man is a legend, and so are his band mates for being there, for never giving up on him and honestly that is what makes me love them so much more. The love, the friendship, the brotherhood, you can feel it on that stage. Nothing but positive vibes. And Rick is still so humbled by all the love he gets. Warms your heart not going to lie.
You know what's next right? That moment that I've been waiting for all night. But they took their SWEET time with it. POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME! I am literally obsessed with that song, it's not as brilliant as Bohemian Rhapsody or as romantic as Always, but sweet jesus that's my song. Absolutely lost it when the first note hit. I am quite certain that the entire venue heard my hysterical screaming (maybe also the people outside) despite the loud music. Not just me though, you could see it even the people that kinda kept back, took it easy to this point, they all lost it, Sugar pulls everyone to their feet. Everyone was howling that song along at the top of their lungs.
Can I take a moment here to say, that I would absolutely NOT mind Joe pouring some sugar on me? Did you see him in that promotional video where he's ''pouring sugar'', that ''woof'' he does? How dare you do that to me? How do you expect me to recover from THAT! My god. Beyond attractive. I'm good, really, just give me about a week to recover from the shock that is Joe Elliott and Def Leppard in person. Holy hell. Maybe a month to be on the safe side.
After Sugar they said ''thank you, good night'' but came back for two more songs which were Rock of ages and Photograph. Classics of course. I liked a cute small moment of tribute to Steve Clark who played on Hysteria but died in 91' when he was barely 30. Sad story really. After that the show ended with a promise of another one soon. They all say that to be honest but I really hope he meant it because I really really REALLY want to see them again and this is about as close as I can get them (about 1000 km).
All in all despite all the pain and troubles and struggles this was a perfect night, a night the kind I wish I had more in my life. It's relaxing, recharging, inspiring, full of love and positive vibes. It's all I'm missing in daily life to be fair. Less stress, less drama, more love, more positivity.
Safe to say I got bitten by Leppard and I never loved them more. Guys, don't be strangers, please come back. And soon. Till then I'm still gonna be here, day dreaming about pouring sugar over a certain blond haired man.
Cheers mates
