Concert | Def Leppard & KISS

As a teenager I never got to go to concerts.  Both because my parents were very conservative and didn’t like us to listen to rock music that much, even though I did.  And because we didn’t have very much extra money for entertainment & concerts.  They wouldn’t let me go to concerts with my friends.  So while in my late teens and early 20’s, I loved Def Leppard but I never got to see them live.  So imagine how excited I was when my work friend Daryl told me that Def Leppard & KISS were coming to San Diego for a show!  I got tickets the minute they went on sale.  So on Sunday night July 6th, it was finally here!

I bought t-shirts for us to wear to the concert.  I had a Def Leppard t-shirt but it’s old and way to small for me now.  So new shirts it is.

The drive down to Sleep Train Amphitheater in Chula Vista was not bad at all.  In fact, we didn’t encounter the long lines getting into the parking lot like we usually do.  We were there a bit early but enjoyed the people-watching quite a bit. 

Def Leppard started playing around 8pm.  I was so excited! 

There were several backdrops and the set design was pretty elaborate.

I liked that sometimes they showed the live footage on the big screen behind them so we could see so much better.

The crowd was going nuts!

Def Leppard saved “Pour Some Sugar On Me” for the last song.  Then the crowd went wild and called them back for an encore.  They played “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph” in the encore.

The Def Leppard concert was great, even though Joe Elliott can't really hit the high/yelly notes anymore on "Photograph", the last song. They played almost all their awesome hits from the 80's and 90's.

The Def Leppard Setlist:

Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who song) (Live Def Leppard Ending)
Let It Go
Rocket
Animal
Foolin'
Love Bites
Let's Get Rocked
Two Steps Behind (Acoustic)
Bringin' on the Heartbreak (Acoustic/Electric)
Switch 625
Hysteria (with "Beth" by KISS tag)
Armageddon It
Pour Some Sugar on Me

Encore:
Rock of Ages
Photograph

In the intermission when KISS was setting up, we met up with Todd’s friend Camille and her dad.  They both painted their face for KISS, so fun!

Then it was time for KISS!  I am not as familiar with KISS songs because they were a little bit before my time, and also the radio stations I listened to didn’t play KISS that much.  But I know the legend and the costumes!

The KISS set was really elaborate with this animatronic octopus-like thing that spewed fire and went up and down, sometimes carrying members of the band.

Paul Stanley did most of the song introductions and talking to the crowd.

At one point Gene Simmons spewed out some fake blood and it was kinda gross!

KISS was such a spectacle, just as I had imagined it would be!  The crowd was amazing and full of energy.  There were multi-generational families there.  Fathers and mothers with their kids, all their faces painted and ready to have a good time.  I would have never imagined as a teenager that people would be bringing their kids to a KISS concert in 2014!

The KISS Setlist:

Psycho Circus
Deuce
Shout It Out Loud
War Machine
Hotter Than Hell (Gene breathes fire)
Christine Sixteen
Lick It Up (with "Won't Get Fooled Again" … more)
Bass Solo (Gene spits blood and flies)
I Love It Loud
Hide Your Heart
Cold Gin
Love Gun (Paul flies out to the audience)
Black Diamond
Detroit Rock City
Rock and Roll All Nite
God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II

We had a great time and made great memories.  I love that social media nowadays allows us to see even more photos online.  The next morning I searched for the hashtag #defleppard on Instagram and found so many photos that concert-goers took and posted.  It was like I was reliving it again!  Modern technology is great.  Long live rock n roll.