Def Leppard brought its Summer Tour 2025 to the Yaamava’ Theatre at Yaamava’ Casino and Resort on Tuesday, Aug. 20, turning the intimate 2,500-seat venue into a time machine fueled by soaring vocals, twin-guitar harmonies and the enduring roar of an arena-ready crowd.

The night opened with the haunting countdown of the “Drastic Symphonies” version of Gods of War, which set a dramatic tone before the band burst into a run of classics, starting with Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop) and Rocket. Frontman Joe Elliott, at 64, carried the energy of a younger rocker, balancing grit and polish as he traded singalong cues with the audience.

Def Leppard’s catalog of arena anthems shone in the close-quarters theater setting. Let’s Get Rocked had fans out of their seats, fists pumping, while Foolin’ and Armageddon It stirred nostalgic cheers. The band sprinkled in deeper cuts for die-hard fans, including Die Hard the Hunter and Let It Go, proving they remain more than a greatest-hits act.

One highlight was the live debut of Just Like ’73, a newer track that blended seamlessly with the group’s 1980s staples. Acoustic moments gave the setlist a breather: Elliott strapped on a guitar for This Guitar and Two Steps Behind, with the full band leaning into harmonies that showcased their softer side. But the lull didn’t last long—Bringin’ On the Heartbreak crashed into a thunderous Switch 625, Rick Allen’s drumming reminding everyone why his nickname, “The Thunder God,” is still well-earned.

Allen’s moment in the spotlight came during an extended drum solo, a tradition fans eagerly anticipated. Allen has been with Def Leppard since 1978 and famously overcame the loss of his left arm in a 1984 car accident by pioneering the use of a custom electronic drum kit. His solo at Yaamava’ was both a technical showcase and a testament to resilience, blending thunderous fills with precision triggers that reminded the audience why his story is one of rock’s most inspiring. The crowd erupted in a standing ovation, honoring not just the performance but the perseverance behind it.

The main set closed with a one-two punch of Rock of Ages and Photograph, both delivered with the same swagger that made Def Leppard MTV mainstays four decades ago. After a brief break, the encore sealed the night: the slow build of Hysteria and the inevitable eruption of Pour Some Sugar on Me, which had the Yaamava’ crowd singing every word at top volume.

The Yaamava’ Theatre itself played a key role in the night’s success. Opened in 2022, the venue is known for its pristine sound, expansive stage, and upscale design. Its size—larger than a club but smaller than a typical arena—created an atmosphere where Def Leppard’s stadium-filling anthems felt both personal and powerful. With state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics, every guitar solo from Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell rang crisp, and Elliott’s voice carried effortlessly to the rafters.

After more than 45 years, Def Leppard proved once again why they remain rock royalty. At Yaamava’, they condensed decades of hits and history into two hours, leaving fans drenched in nostalgia yet reminded the band still has new tricks up its leather sleeves.