Mention the name Extreme when talking about rock music, and inevitably the song More Than Words comes into play. The 1991 rock ballad has become one of the classics of the rock genre, though there is far more to the American juggernaut rock band than might be imagined. With the band opening for Sheffield rock legends Def Leppard on their current European tour, the pairing of the same acts was a wise one: both share the ability to write melodic songs that cross the divide between rock and pop besides coming from the same era.

Having an enigmatic and charismatic frontman also helps as lead singer Gary Cherone prowled the Sheffield Arena stage like a tiger, never mind a leopard, as he and Extreme gave a masterclass in a performance that never outstayed its welcome, mixing funk, rock, and pop. Adding to the thrill of the night was lead guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, one of the best guitarists of his generation. Although many of their tracks came with a guitar solo, it never felt out of place during their hour-long set. With the band concluding with a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the renditions of I Don’t Know, Bark at the Moon and Crazy Train, it appeared there is still plenty of steam left in their tank.

Making their eleventh appearance at the arena, the 13,000-strong audience were never going to be disappointed as Def Leppard returned to the steel city for a rapturous homecoming gig; fittingly, Rejoice was an apt track to open the two-hour retrospective of the band's career. At the height of their success in the mid-eighties, the band dominated the album charts worldwide with the albums Pyromania and Hysteria, the latter providing tonight’s triangular lighting rig that was part of the album cover.

A cover of the Depeche Mode hit, Personal Jesus was surprisingly impressive; maybe the band could return the compliment and do a cover of a Def Leppard track when they next tour? Bringin’ on the Heartbreak from the 1981 album High ‘n’ Dry and Switch 625 still sounded as euphoric as they did forty-five years ago.

With singer Joe Elliott, Bassist Rick 'Sav' Savage and drummer Rick Allen remaining on stage, Yorkshire outsiders, London-born guitarist Phil Collen and Northern Ireland guitarist Vivian Campbell exited. Elloitt reminded the fans how the three formed the band in Sheffield in 1977. Whilst reminiscing, his words seemed emotional as he recalled the late Steve Clark, who provided many of the early trademark guitar riffs that have become part of the ubiquitous sound of many a Def Leppard song.

Never missing an opportunity to highlight their home city, some references were more subtle than others; the on-screen owl that introduced the intro to Armageddon It was a nod to the emblem and mascot of Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

The band seldom let anyone else join them onstage; however, when you are playing to your home crowd, the opportunity to have Nuno Bettencourt from Extreme return to the stage to perform the track Slang can be excused. Wearing his Union Jack T-shirt and providing a heavy riff to the song, Bettencourt looked in his element, adding to the track and not distracting.

Elliott’s voice has weathered well, cutting through Love Bites as the laser beams shone onto the stage; the power ballad showcased the band in all their hometown glory before Rock of Ages and Photograph propelled the show into orbit.

Pour Some Sugar on Me concluded a triumphant set where the music remained as good as ever; there was never any reason for this particular Leppard to change its spots.



The tour continues with a further date in the north at Co-op Live in Manchester on Monday 6th July