Def Leppard Tickets

Sheffield’s stadium-filling pop-metal titans are still leading the charge.
Blending glam-metal gloss with hard rock heft and pop hooks, Def Leppard have spent over five decades defining – and defying – the sound of stadium-sized rock.

Formed in 1977 amidst the spit and snarl of punk rock, Def Leppard’s journey began in the hallways of Tapton School in Sheffield. A group of teenage musicians united by their shared love of melody, their ambitious vision took flight when vocalist Joe Elliott jumped on stage during a John Peel DJ session, handing the legendary broadcaster a copy of the band’s self-titled 1979 EP. Breakout single ‘Getcha Rocks Off’ soon echoed across radio speakers, and something special was born.

Tapping into the rising force of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, debut full-length On Through The Night (1980) hinted at the band’s grand ambition, but it was 1981’s High ’n’ Dry – their first collaboration with legendary producer Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange – that truly sharpened their sound. Dialling into the energy of the metal scene but sidestepping its grit in favour of arena-sized choruses and polished guitars, its ten songs signalled their arrival in style. Featuring the anthemic slow-burn of power ballad ‘Bringin’ On The Heartbreak,’ it helped carve a new lane for heavy metal in the UK, one unashamed to lean into softness and showcase its bombastic pop influences.

Balancing hook-laden hard rock with emotional depth, Def Leppard’s global explosion came with 1983’s Pyromania. Stacked with shimmering synths, searing solos, and layered harmonies, it introduced the world to the slick stylings and tight musicianship that have come to define the pop-metal pioneers. From the powerful punch of ‘Photograph’ to the swaggering stomp of ‘Rock Of Ages,’ the Yorkshire metal kings found their unique voice, colliding polished production and rollicking riffs with huge choruses that would redefine the genre.

Their third album selling over ten million copies, triumph was followed by tragedy in 1984 when drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in an accident. Determined to continue, the band innovated. Customising a kit that allowed Allen to play with electronic pedals to trigger certain sounds, he made a triumphant return during the 1986 Monsters Of Rock Festival.

The product of a three-year recording process, 1987’s Hysteria became a career-defining statement of perseverance. A masterclass in pop-metal craftsmanship, the band aimed to ensure every track could become a hit single – and they delivered. Kickstarting a huge run of chart-topping tracks with swaggering single ‘Animal,’ the sultry, innuendo-laced ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me,’ and tender power ballad ‘Love Bites,’ Hysteria cemented their place in the rock pantheon as one of the best-selling rock albums of all time.

Following the death of guitarist Steve Clark in 1991, the band regrouped as a four-piece on Adrenalize (1992), a riff-heavy, relentlessly catchy record boasting rebellious cut ‘Let’s Get Rocked’ and a heartfelt tribute to Clark on seven-minute hard rock rager ‘White Lightning.’ Their first release without Lange on production duties – self-produced alongside longtime engineer Mike Shipley – it continued their winning streak, debuting at the top of the UK Albums Chart.

With former Dio and Whitesnake guitarist Vivian Campbell joining in 1992, Def Leppard have continued to evolve. Making an appearance at the iconic Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium before performing the first ever rock show at Sheffield’s 50,000-capacity Don Valley Stadium, their boundary-pushing ambition has taken them to some of the highest heights in rock stardom.

Five decades into their career, Def Leppard may have risen to global rock icon status, but they have never lost sight of the spark that started it all. Driven by a pure love of music and a refusal to fit the mold, every chapter of their story has been guided by creative evolution. In 2008, they released their tenth album Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, featuring a country-tinged collaboration with Tim McGraw on ‘Nine Lives,’ while 2022’s Diamond Star Halos dialled up rock ‘n’ roll theatrics in an almighty nod to their glam influences.

Even on the world’s biggest stages, the spirit of teenage dreamers soars through everything Def Leppard does. Known for explosive live shows, their legacy is built on sky-high choruses, twin-guitar heroics, and the kind of mass singalongs only a truly great rock band can inspire. As they return to the UK for another unmissable run, this is your chance to witness one of British rock’s most enduring and influential forces doing what they do best.