Last night’s triple bill of co-headliners Def Leppard, Journey, and Cheap Trick really packed a triple play of ’80s throwback nostalgia from three bands who always play at the top of their game. Although threatening skies plagued the night, the only real inclement weather was during the first few songs of Journey’s performance.
Taking the stage first were Chicago stalwarts Cheap Trick. Their spirited 45-minute set really pumped up the crowd of 30,000 fans on a humid summer evening. Playing their hits and a fewer deep cuts, the original threesome (minus founding drummer Bun E. Carolos, who left the band in 2010) were aided by Daxx Nielsen behind the kit and Robin Taylor Zander on rhythm guitar.
Next up were Bay Area-based Journey. Taking the stage for a 70-minute set, founding member Neal Schon was joined by longtime pianist/guitar player Jonathan Cain and several newer musicians who have taken up the reins. Vocalist Arnel Pineda replaced beloved vocalist Steve Perry almost two decades ago, but the audience didn’t seem to miss Perry, as Pineda belted out the repertoire of Journey tunes over the course of their rain-soaked set.
Finally taking the stage was the journeymen English band Def Leppard. The light show complemented the stagecraft as they lit it up for 90 minutes, finally wrapping up close to 11:00.
The triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian LumleyThe triple co-headliner bill at Progressive Field Credit: Photo by Brian Lumley
