Stadium shows always feel special. It starts before you even walk in the door, seeing thousands of other fans walking from their cars, pedal-cabs weaving down streets playing your favorite songs, and throngs of people gathering on the sidewalks. Once you reach your seat and are greeted with the vast expanse of a sporting venue, you truly feel like you’re a part of something. Such a vast space combined with music’s innate power to bring people together is indescribably memorable – you really have to experience it to get it.
Such was the vibe inside Minute Maid Park before Def Leppard took the stage. Their second venture to the home of the Astros in recent years, the band have become regular visitors to the Bayou City over the last decade. A mainstay of classic rock and hair metal since the 1980s, the band has sold more than 100 million records, including the RIAA diamond certified Pyromania and Hysteria.
Kicking off the show at a bright and early 6PM was Steve Miller Band. Formed in 1966, the band found mainstream success in the ‘70s with several platinum albums to their name. Playing through a tight set including classics “The Joker” and “Fly Like an Eagle,” the band gave fans their first bite of rock of the night.
Just before 7:30, with co-headlining duties on this tour, Journey took the stage. One of the best selling bands of all time, Journey took the audience through a 16-song setlist, comprised of hits off of six different albums, with multiple extended solos throughout. Singer Arnel Pineda bounded around the stage with youthful energy, interacting with the crowd and each of the other band members in turn. The latter portion of the set included five of the band’s greatest hits in succession, including “Wheel in the Sky”, “Any Way You Want It”, and the ever-popular “Don’t Stop Believin’”, which brought the entire stadium to its feet.
After Journey left the stage, there was a brief intermission before the Lepps had their turn in the spotlight. A massive countdown “Pyroclock” appeared on the screens, accompanied by an image of a massive spaceship hovering above the stadium as the numbers ticked to zero. The lights went down, smoke filled the stage, and finally the band emerged with “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop),” kicking off a near-ninety-minute set filled with classics.
With albums Pyromania and Hysteria doing the heavy lifting (seven and six songs respectively) Houston was treated to numerous hits alongside the band’s newest single “Just Like 73” which dropped this past June. Making use of the whole stage, the band maintained their energy throughout their set, interacting with those seated closest to the stage, and making sure that everyone had a great time.
The band closed out the show with the ever-popular “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” and left the crowd buzzing.
I'm a Houston-based concert and automotive photographer. I've been a music fan my whole life, and previously was the director for Coog Radio, the University of Houston's student radio station. I listen to a bit of everything, from blues to rock to EDM, but predominantly metal. Some favorites include Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Metallica. When I'm not behind the camera, you can catch me skating, going to car events, and buying too many coffee table books.
