Hell…raiser June 25, 2006 ~ 12:56 pm
Posted by Julie in : Reviews , trackbackLast night Jordana and I went out for the third major event of Kickass Summer Weekend. (Lori’s party Friday night was the second, and ended up being very laid back…with a camera.) Through pouring rain and a lightning storm we drove out to Jones Beach on the Island. We had originally planned to spend the whole day at the beach, but the rain pissing down put the kibosh on that one. It also put an end to our “get to the beach in an hour” plan, so we finally crawled into the parking lot at 6:30. Plenty of time to have our beach picnic and some beers in the car. Next time we’re bringing a tent like all the other Leppard fans seemed to have - the parking lot was a massive tailgate party. Headed into the Ampitheater and got to our seats in time for Journey to start playing.
Now, let me tell you what hell is. Hell is sitting through a Journey concert with no beer. That’s right, there was no beer or any other type of alcohol sold in the venue. We asked and were informed that to get beer we would have to be in the VIP section, and alas there were no upgrades to be had at this concert. I don’t know if this is going to be true at all concerts, or if it was just specific to this venue, but now we know what one of the perks to the VIP tickets was. Journey wasn’t really bad, it was just that they didn’t seem to have a stage presence. They weren’t working the crowd, they weren’t really moving around the stage, they were just there. Back in college when someone was playing a Journey CD it meant that they were going through a bad break up, and everyone on the hall would just shake their heads and say “Oh, Journey.” Last night I found myself shaking my head and saying “Oh, Journey” a lot. It was all that really could be said.
The Def Leppard half of the show, on the other hand, kicked ass. I’m guessing that they’re alternating who opens like last year’s tour with Bryan Adams, but last night they closed and took full advantage of it. Their graphics on the screen were great and included lots of pictures of the band in the early days, interviews from MTV, and of course, lots of Steve. It seemed like they took a page from Queen’s book and were able to have a little tribute to him while still making the “this is who we are now” statement. All of the guys really owned the stage, playing up to all the fans everywhere, moving around and playing off of each other. I know, they do this at every concert, but it was such a contrast to Journey that I have to mention it again. And I loved, loved, loved that they played four songs from “Yeah!” (including two of my favorites, “Hellraiser” and “Hangin’ on the Telephone”). It was nice to get some of the new songs in with some of the older ones, and I think it really helped tighten up the set. Phil has said that they’re taking this tour up a notch and he’s right. I screamed so much that if it had been a full headlining show, I would have lost my voice last night. As is, I’m incredibly hoarse today.
But not too hoarse to cheer for England’s win in the World Cup just now. 
Comments
Glad you had fun chickie.
I was laughing so hard when you called me last night during Journey’s set. I was in the pool with Kelli and was just giggling away and kept thinking “steeevee.. perry!” 
It was cool that you called me when Def Lep sang “Hysteria” That is still probably by far, my favorite song. When I heard it on the radio the other night, it brought back some nostalgic memories, for sure. I’m glad you had a good time, and hope you stay out of trouble the rest of the weekend 
What little of it is left.
I can’t imagine Journey WITHOUT Steve Perry, so I haven’t heard their ‘new’ sound. I’ll just stick to the old recordings, I suppose.
Leenie~I knew you couldn’t really hear me, so I just kept saying “Journey! Journeeeeeeeeey!!” And Jordana was howling when I told her our altered lyrics to “Hysteria.” I still have the paper that we wrote our version on!
Jamie~Ohhh, She-rri…I have that on a 45 somewhere. Rick was referring to this Journey as “the Local 802 Musicians’ Union version.” Looking at how many replacements Journey has had makes me appreciate Def Leppard all the more.
I *CANNOT* wait until August 26th at the Shoreline….we did the 5* VIP package this time. I’m not really caring about seeing Journey without SP…saw them twice back in the day, and that was kick-ass. I am so looking forward to seeing Lep again! I need my Joe fix!
I’m glad you had a great time!
Kim~You will LOVE it. I think that this was one of the best Lep shows that I’ve ever seen, co-headlining or not. (And Joe is looking GOOD this tour. Really good.)
We saw Jouney in concert about four years ago, but there was beer, lots of glorious beer!
Brighton~There was plenty of beer flowing in the parking lot, just not in the ampitheater. Damn. I actually have a funny story about the lack of beer at this concert. Maybe I’ll post it this afternoon.
WHAT!??? They make you pay for premium seat just so they can sell you beer? Don’t imagine they’d let you in with a Camelback full of beer eh?
Glad you had a good time at the show! Nothing worse than a band that just stands there and plays. Hello! You’re paying to see a SHOW! If I just wanted music, I’d listen to the CD.
Anyway, both our teams advanced, so it was a good soccer weekend too!
AH I miss the concerts at JONES BEACH! I saw the CURE THERE, remember them? The’re still around. Def Lep I used to tape all their videos from FRIDAY NIGHT VIDEOS!
Seamus~If we would have known there was no alcohol in the venue, we would have snuck some in somehow. We had two more cans of beer in the car and a big waterbottle full of wine that we were going to call “vitamin water”.
Vince~Exactly. For the love, DO something. Don’t just stand there. And even though Journey’s drummer had almost two full drum kits around him, Rick Allen outdrummed him with one arm an a small kit. Def Leppard were just better musicians.
Mrs. Mogul~I saw David Bowie and Moby there and almost got electrocuted in a lightning storm. I’ve also seen Def Lep there before.
I saw Def Leppard at an ampitheatere too… they sooooo kicked ass!! Glad you had a great time, and there will never be another Journey as long as Steve Perry isn’t singing with them. Just not gonna happen.
I wanna new post!!!!
Sorry. You’ve spoiled me with this ‘every day’ shit. Damn you!
No, wait. I luvvvvvvv you. Flattery will get me a new post, right? You’re such a pretty redhead. You are the best dramaturge I know. You have exceptional taste in music. You’re getting very sleepy….
KtP~Yeah yeah yeah. Wish granted.
I’m spoiled, too. I hold out for big comments.
Nanner~Def Leppard has toured for so long that they’ve perfected a kickass concert. I love that about them.