Def Leppard rocks Sheffield homecoming show at Utilita Arena despite encore audio troubles
“All these people who’ve stood with us all these years, we owe a huge debt of gratitude”
Sheffield threw a royal homecoming for its greatest rock band last night in a sold-out celebration.
Fresh off their residency in Las Vegas, Def Leppard brought their ‘Live 2026’ tour back to the city where it all began on Tuesday (June 30) for a historic two-hour set.
Over 13,000 adoring fans packed the Utilita Arena to welcome the boys home and ring in 49 years of hard rock memories.
“What an amazing sight to see,” frontman Joe Elliot told the crowd. “Look at all these faces.”
“It’s a home town gig once again! We can see so many people out here, we thank you, we really do,” he added.
“I went to school with some of you guys - possibly fathered some of you as well!
“We have a longstanding relationship, you and us - 49 years to be precise.
“All these people who’ve stood with us all these years, we owe a huge debt of gratitude.”
After a worthy warm-up stage show all on its own by special guests Extreme, the legendary rockers brought a taste of their smash hit US residency with 19 songs from across the years, including Rejoice, Animal, Rocket, and even Depeche Mode’s ‘Personal Jesus’.
A short but tight drum solo by Rick Allen during Switch 625 drew thunderous applause from every seat of the arena, with Rick bowing to the camera and holding his hand to his heart in thanks before hitting the final beat.
The crowd was eating out of Joe’s palm in minutes as he led 13,000 Def Leppard loyalists in clapping to Just Like ‘73.
Surprises included an A Capella opening to ‘Promises’, as well as frontman Joe disappearing from the stage to instead sing from the seats, or take a lap of the standing area to mingle with fans.
Joe took a moment to talk to his home city.
“My best friend,” he said, putting a hand on bassist Rick Savage’s shoulder.
“There we were, in my mum and dad’s house, and we said ‘you know what, let’s put a band together and see what happens.’
“What happened? What happened? Well, here we are, 49 years later!”
A less welcome surprise came in the encore during ‘Hysteria.’
One of the band’s biggest hits was sadly hit by technical difficulties, when the entire band was muted for seconds at a time on stage.
The fans, however, saved the day by loudly singing along regardless and ensuring the song never missed a beat.