Def Leppard returned to Ireland for their first show in five years in Dublin-based lead singer Joe Elliott's "back yard" at Marlay Park on Tuesday night (4th July 2023). Bringing with them Mötley Crüe for their first ever Irish date, it was a night crammed with the hits that sound tracked a generation.
Photo: Darren McLoughlin.
With an infamous reputation ahead of them, Mötley Crüe were up first on the co-headlining trek that has seen the acts flip-flop in closing the night. Their first ever appearance in Ireland in a four-decade career, and it was a special show for the US rockers, and not just because it was taking place on Independence Day.
Opening with 1987's ode to L.A. 'Wideside', the crowd were onside from the off, singing every word to the delight of the band.
During their almost two-hour long set, the four-piece - Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and newest addition John 5 - eschewed their deepest cuts and stuck to what the stadium crowd wanted; the anthems that (musically) made their name.
Greeting the crowd Sixx exclaimed: "We've been waiting on this show for 42 fuckin' years!"
Touching on all corners of their career from the lightning rod of 'Live Wire' to soundtrack to their Netflix movie 'The Dirt', it was a roller coaster of rock and roll.
Closing out with the trio of the glamtastic 'Girls Girls Girls', 1991 standalone single 'Primal Scream', and euphoric 'Kickstart My Heart', they saved their best 'til last with John 5 in particular, appearing to relish every moment.
Taking to social media afterwards, the band said; "Let’s not wait 42 years until the next one! Great to see so many Irish Crüeheads!", while Sixx tweeted from his personal account; "First time and hopefully not the last time here in #ireland. Wild crowd. As a lyricist it makes me so happy to hear you singing back the words that meant so much to me to write".
However the night truly belonged to Def Leppard. With Dublin taking the Sheffield band to its heart ever since they decamped to the city in the early 1980s to work on the 'Pyromania' album, the love affair has continued until this day.
With Joe Elliott resident ever since, just down the road from the leafy venue, in Leopardstown (yes, actually), the singer couldn't have been more at home.
"Alright Dublin, how are you doing?! This is like doing a gig in my back yard!", he quipped greeting the crowd.
Opening with 'Diamond Star Halos' highlight 'Take What You Want', the band wasted no time in rousing the audience, following with a rollocking 'Let's Get Rocked' and 1987 single 'Animal'.
Going relatively deep with 'Pyromania' song 'Foolin', the track proved an early highlight, especially for older school fans.
Introducing Irishman Vivian Campbell, Elliott looked back into the guitarist's past recalling his nascant early days saying; "You may remember from a band called Sweet Savage from Belfast, up north". With that, the perma-grinning player introduced yet another hit, in the 'Hysteria' staple 'Armageddon It'.
Although the hits rightly dominated the set, a welcome addition of underrated 1999 gem 'Promises' proved that they weren't afraid to touch on their lesser known hits.
Battling the rain, all but eonmusic interviewee and drummer Rick Allen headed down the ego ramp for an acoustic run-through 'This Guitar'. With the weather scarcely abating, Elliott quipped; "this guitar... it's wet through!" Cue a comedic moment with bassist Rick Savage assuming the role of a tending, nervous roadie, patting down the beleaguered singer and his instrument.
With an embattled crowd meeting a dizzying mind full of statistics, Joe went on to declare; "Hey, it went to No.1 in this county. Let's try that again!" during a passionate call and reaponse of 'When Love and Hate Collide'.
Closing out with the 'Rock of Ages' and 'Photograph' - complete with a pleasingly-period Destroyer guitar adorning Phil Collen, the five-piece proved that with this tour, the release of a new album and a book covering their history, and a tiny homecoming show, 2023 might just be their vintage year.
Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Darren McLoughlin.
Opening with 1987's ode to L.A. 'Wideside', the crowd were onside from the off, singing every word to the delight of the band.
During their almost two-hour long set, the four-piece - Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and newest addition John 5 - eschewed their deepest cuts and stuck to what the stadium crowd wanted; the anthems that (musically) made their name.
Greeting the crowd Sixx exclaimed: "We've been waiting on this show for 42 fuckin' years!"
Touching on all corners of their career from the lightning rod of 'Live Wire' to soundtrack to their Netflix movie 'The Dirt', it was a roller coaster of rock and roll.
Closing out with the trio of the glamtastic 'Girls Girls Girls', 1991 standalone single 'Primal Scream', and euphoric 'Kickstart My Heart', they saved their best 'til last with John 5 in particular, appearing to relish every moment.
Taking to social media afterwards, the band said; "Let’s not wait 42 years until the next one! Great to see so many Irish Crüeheads!", while Sixx tweeted from his personal account; "First time and hopefully not the last time here in #ireland. Wild crowd. As a lyricist it makes me so happy to hear you singing back the words that meant so much to me to write".
However the night truly belonged to Def Leppard. With Dublin taking the Sheffield band to its heart ever since they decamped to the city in the early 1980s to work on the 'Pyromania' album, the love affair has continued until this day.
With Joe Elliott resident ever since, just down the road from the leafy venue, in Leopardstown (yes, actually), the singer couldn't have been more at home.
"Alright Dublin, how are you doing?! This is like doing a gig in my back yard!", he quipped greeting the crowd.
Opening with 'Diamond Star Halos' highlight 'Take What You Want', the band wasted no time in rousing the audience, following with a rollocking 'Let's Get Rocked' and 1987 single 'Animal'.
Going relatively deep with 'Pyromania' song 'Foolin', the track proved an early highlight, especially for older school fans.
Introducing Irishman Vivian Campbell, Elliott looked back into the guitarist's past recalling his nascant early days saying; "You may remember from a band called Sweet Savage from Belfast, up north". With that, the perma-grinning player introduced yet another hit, in the 'Hysteria' staple 'Armageddon It'.
Although the hits rightly dominated the set, a welcome addition of underrated 1999 gem 'Promises' proved that they weren't afraid to touch on their lesser known hits.
Battling the rain, all but eonmusic interviewee and drummer Rick Allen headed down the ego ramp for an acoustic run-through 'This Guitar'. With the weather scarcely abating, Elliott quipped; "this guitar... it's wet through!" Cue a comedic moment with bassist Rick Savage assuming the role of a tending, nervous roadie, patting down the beleaguered singer and his instrument.
With an embattled crowd meeting a dizzying mind full of statistics, Joe went on to declare; "Hey, it went to No.1 in this county. Let's try that again!" during a passionate call and reaponse of 'When Love and Hate Collide'.
Closing out with the 'Rock of Ages' and 'Photograph' - complete with a pleasingly-period Destroyer guitar adorning Phil Collen, the five-piece proved that with this tour, the release of a new album and a book covering their history, and a tiny homecoming show, 2023 might just be their vintage year.
Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Darren McLoughlin.
