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August 10, 2023

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The very successful Stadium Tour from last year landed in Columbus on Tuesday to bring a bit of '80s rock to The Shoe.   This time Def Leppard and Motley Crue brought Rock Hall of Famer Alice Cooper with them to open the show.

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And what an opener!

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Alice and his incredible backing band put on the best sixty minute set that I have seen.  This years stage show resembled a courtroom, where a huge newspaper headlines read "Banned In Ohio Alice Cooper! Trial Set For: Deeds Against Humanity."

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Alice broke through the newspaper and the band opened up with the first verse of "Lock Me Up" before tearing through "No More Mr. Nice Guy."

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It was then hit after hit as Alice brought out various props like his sword, a cane and a crutch as he expertly went through "I'm Eighteen," "Under My Wheels" and "Billion Dollar Babies."

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Even though he was the opening act, Alice still used his full assortment of stage theatrics that fans have come to expect.  During "Feed My Frankenstein" a huge FrankenAlice roamed the stage.

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Alice was then placed in a straight jacket to sing the "Ballad of Dwight Fry."  Afterwards, the guillotine was brought out and Alice was "executed" while the band played "Killers" and "I Love The Dead."

 

Since it is election season, Cooper decided to bring back "Elected" into his set.

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"Schools Out" closed this ultimate showman's set.

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Def Leppard was the next band to take the stage.  Joe Elliot and the boys have been doing this for over forty-three years and they still look and sound fantastic.

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The band is still promoting their latest album, Diamond Star Halos and kicked off the show with "Take What You Want" from that album.

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The new songs, "This Guitar" and "Kick" worked well in the set but of course, most of the fans came to hear the classic tunes and the band did not disappoint.

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"Animal," "Foolin'" and the bands only number one hit "Love Bites" had the fans dancing and singing along.

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The band brought the energy with them as well.  Rick Savage, Vivian Campbell and Phil Collin were all over the stage and often made it down the catwalk so fans could get a good look.  Joe Elliot is a great front man who also knows how to work a stage and the crowd.

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Saving the biggest hits for last, Def Leppard closed the show with "Pour Some Sugar On Me," "Rock Of Ages" and "Photograph."

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Another great performance by the Brits from Birmingham.

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Motley Crue has a new edition to the band.  John 5 is now in the band after original guitarist Mick Mars "retired" or was forced out of the band.

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John 5 is a great guitarist and brought some much needed energy to the band.

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"Wild Side" kicked off their set of mostly '80s era songs.

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Singer Vince Neil has gotten himself into much better shape physically although his singing voice isn't as strong as it used to be.

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The 30,000 fans in attendance were happy to throw their fists in the air and sing along with "Shout At The Devil," "Live Wire" and "Looks That Kill."

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The only newer song that was played was "The Dirt (Est. 1981)" that came out with the movie soundtrack. 

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After a medley of cover songs were played, drummer Tommy Lee made his way to the center of the catwalk where a piano appeared and the rest of the band surrounded him for their biggest hit "Home Sweet Home."

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"Girls Girls Girls," "Primal Scream" and "Kick Start My Heart" closed out their 90 minute set.

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A lot of fans got to relive their youth while many younger fans got a glimpse of what things were kinda like in the 1980's.

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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