It was a great night for arena rock, as classic titans Def Leppard, Journey and Steve Miller Band took over Boston last Monday. Despite the blistering afternoon heat, fans gathered early on at the legendary ballpark: from couples to families, some in full on 80s metal costumes, the crowd was eager to catch the iconic bands once again.
The sun was shining bright as Steve Miller took the stage, braving the high temperatures and looking cool in his dark sunglasses. Kicking things off with “The Stake” and “Serenade,” Steve Miller Band’s set was jam packed with hit after hit, mixed in with many funny anecdotes that made the crowd cling onto every word despite the intense weather conditions. After a mesmerizing rendition of “Fly Like an Eagle,” the band dedicated the classic “Abracadabra” to Eminem, who recently sampled the song. From Jungle Love to Jet Airliner, it was a rock history lesson for many in the audience, as much as it was a walk down memory lane for others.
With little time to catch any breaths, arena rock juggernauts Journey took the energy to new heights; “Only The Young” and “Be Good To Yourself” got the show started, and the crowd was up on their feet immediately. Founding member and guitarist Neal Schon treated the audience to the first of many elegant solos early on in the evening, setting the tone for the rest of the performance. Arnel Pineda’s soaring vocals and undeniable showmanship took center stage, as he delivered a nonstop stream of fan favorites with ease. To add an extra level of unintentional flare, a splash of water accidentally came down during one of the solos, prompting Pineda to wonder if it was actually raining.
A string of power ballads wrapped up with a beautiful piano solo by Jonathan Cain, as he went into “Open Arms.” Schon then took the mic to ask the fans to light up the park with their flashlights for “Lights,” and the seemingly never ending singalong continued. Monster hits “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Any Way You Want It” brought the set to a close, with every single person singing their hearts out.
As per usual, a countdown flashed across the screens in preparation for Def Leppard’s arrival. The Drastic Symphonies version of “Gods Of War” set the mood, and as the counter reached 0, the lights went down. “Stagefright”‘s yell “I said welcome to my show!” kicked things off, as the band went into the energetic “Rock! Rock! (Til You Drop)”. Vocalist Joe Elliott approached the crowd early on during “Rocket”, as they all seamlessly moved around the multiple catwalks. From “Animal” to the band’s most recent single “Just Like ’73”, Def Leppard’s sound was as solid as ever. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the release of Pyromania, the classic album was played almost in its entirety, including “Comin’ Under Fire”, “Too Late For Love” and a powerful rendition of “Die Hard The Hunter”.
Joe Elliott took time to address the crowd multiple times, as he shared their admiration for Boston’s own Aerosmith, in the wake of their recent retirement from live performances. In a candid moment before the acoustic section, Elliott confessed he had been battling an upper respiratory infection, and even debated canceling the show, but they decided against it. Requesting the audience’s participation, the singer powered through “Two Steps Behind”, “This Guitar” and “Bringin’ On The Heartbreak”, the last of which had the crowd screaming along. The explosive ending was approaching, with Rick Allen’s iconic “Gunter gleiben glauchen globen” that introduced “Rock of Ages”. In a quieter moment only seen by those close by, a young couple got engaged during “Hysteria”, prompting everyone around them to congratulate them as they enjoyed the rest of the show. The always iconic “Pour Some Sugar On Me” brought the evening to a close, and one thing was certain: in the face of adversity, a good time was had, and there was plenty of rock and roll.
Photos and words by Maria Alejandra Mata
Keep up with Steve Miller Band: Website / Instagram / Facebook
Keep up with Journey: Website / Instagram / Facebook
Keep up with Def Leppard: Website / Instagram / Facebook
