With nearly 35,000 packed into Petco Park in San Diego, fans finally got to let loose and rage to some of the biggest bands on the planet including Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, and Poison. It was as if the metal gods from above provided a portal back in time where the only thing that mattered was the music. Add fish nets, big hair, and of course ice-cold beer, and this one had all the makings for one incredible party under the stars in the 619. And after waiting nearly 2 years for this one to roll into town, I can honestly say The Stadium Tour delivered on all cylinders and kicked some major ’80s ass.
Taking the pole-position at Petco were LA rockers, Classless Act. While many say that the opening slot on any major tour is a thankless task, their performance on Sunday was simply magnificent. Led by frontman Derek Day, this five-man wrecking crew turned some heads with a killer set that highlighted why this band is so fricking awesome. Watching Dane Pieper (guitar), Griffin Tucker (guitar), Franco Gravante (bass), and Chuck McKissock (drums) light up songs like “This is For You” and “Haunting Love” was a real treat. And of course, Derek’s on-stage antics and killer vocals were second to none. For me, Classless Act’s performance on Sunday was one of the best, and shame on you if you came late and missed it.
Next up was Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Joan has been melting faces since her start in The Runaways in 1975, and her set on Sunday was a testament to how bad ass she really is. Donning her signature leather under a scorching San Diego sun, Joan and the Blackhearts ripped the cap off a 12-song set including standards such as “Cherry Bomb” (The Runaways cover), “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” and “Bad Reputation.” All sounded phenomenal live and showcased why she is still considered “The Queen of Rock and Roll.” In my opinion, she’s still tops in class and one of my all-time favorites, bar none. Long live Joan Jett!
Now onto Poison. One of my favorites from the ’80s, this killer quartet from Mechanicsburg, PA has been rocking stages and selling out arenas worldwide since 1983. While I knew that Bret Michaels (vocals), C.C. DeVille (guitar), Bobby Dall (bass), and Rikki Rockett (drums) would bring it on Sunday night, little did I know that the energy their set exhibited would be the standard to which all other bands would be judged that evening. From the opening notes of “Look What the Cat Dragged In” to the final curtain call after “Nothin’ but a Goodtime,” Poison crushed it. In my opinion, they were the best pound for pound band on stage at Petco on Sunday and it wasn’t even close.
What can be said about Los Angeles’s very own Mötley Crüe that hasn’t already been said? These trailblazers set the stage for so many bands that followed them in the ’80s, and to see them live once again was a dream come true for the tens of thousands of fans in attendance. While I felt Vince Neil’s vocals were better than I had heard in quite some time, the band as a whole including Tommy Lee (drums), Nikki Sixx (bass), and Mick Mars (guitar) hit a collective home run at. They crushed a 15-song set including classics like “Wild Side,” “Home Sweet Home,” and Kickstart My Heart,” while my favorite from their performance was 1983’s “Looks That Kill.” Overall, a fun and nostalgic set from a band that many believed slipped quietly into retirement. Hoping for more from the Crue in the not-so-distant future!
After a 30-minute set change, it was now time for the evening’s headliner, Def Leppard. These cats are considered one of the greatest live rock acts of all time, and they didn’t disappoint their faithful on Sunday night. Opening with “Take What You Want,” vocalist Joe Elliott set Petco ablaze with his trademark sound that defines a live Def Leppard performance and sustained it across a 17-song set of new and old songs alike. In addition to Joe Elliott on vocals, the current lineup consists of Rick Savage (bass), Phil Collen (guitars), Rick Allen (drums), and Vivian Campbell (guitars). Their stage presence was awesome and sonically sounded incredible.
Fan favorites from Def Leppard’s set included “Foolin’,” “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak,” and “Hysteria,” while my top-two were “Rock of Ages” and Photograph.” These rock and roll standards were the perfect songs to wrap up their performance and The Stadium Tour as a whole. Wow. As the lights flickered back on at Petco Park and streams of people flooded out into the streets, a super fan decked in half Mötley Crüe / half Def Leppard attire (head to toe I might add) shouted at the top of his lungs, “This was the best night of my life!” I am sure that his sentiments were shared by many.
CLASSLESS ACT
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS
POISON
MOTLEY CRUE
DEF LEPPARD
