On a warm summer evening in Los Angeles, California’s SOFI Stadium transformed into a time machine, transporting fans back to the days when rock ruled the airwaves and life seemed a little simpler. The energy was palpable as the crowd settled in for an unforgettable night featuring three legendary acts: The Steve Miller Band, Journey, and Def Leppard. Steve Miller was a rare treat filling in for Heart and Cheap Trick who were to be part of the Summer Stadium Tour in other cities. Heart pulled out in early July, canceling all 2024 shows as Ann Wilson has shared some sad health news. Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience will join the tour in September for a few dates trading off with Cheap Trick. With the stadium’s architectural brilliance adding to the magic – keeping the light just right as the sun dipped below the horizon – it felt like time really did stand still for a few hours, allowing the music and memories to take center stage.
Kicking off the night with a bang, Steve Miller took the stage right at 6 p.m. to the electrifying sounds of “Swingtown.” At 80 years old, Miller is the very definition of cool, effortlessly commanding the stage and delivering every note with the same crispness and ease that graced his records decades ago. The setlist was a trip down memory lane, with highlights like “Living in the U.S.A.,” “Take the Money and Run,” and the timeless classic “The Joker” eliciting cheers from the packed stadium. Miller’s guitar solos were soulful and sharp, and his harmonica playing during “Jet Airliner” was nothing short of masterful, sending the audience soaring. He is one of those artists who you forget how many classic tunes are in his catalog. I was excited to have caught him in this great live showcase.
Steve Miller Band:
Steve Miller – Lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards
Kenny Lee Lewis – Bass, backing vocals
Joseph Wooten – Keyboards, backing vocals
Jacob Petersen – Guitar, backing vocals
Ron Wikso – Drums
Setlist:
1. Space Intro
2. Swingtown
3. Serenade
4. The Stake
5. Living in the U.S.A.
6. Fly Like an Eagle
7. Abracadabra
8. Rock’n Me
9. Jungle Love
10. Take the Money and Run
11. The Joker
12. Jet Airliner (Paul Pena cover)
When Journey took the stage, they wasted no time in revving up the crowd with a high-energy performance that began with “Only the Young.” Neal Schon’s guitar work was a powerhouse, reminding everyone why he’s been a staple in rock for decades, while frontman Arnel Pineda, decked out in a bold suit, brought boundless energy to the performance. It was my first time seeing him live and I was not disappointed. He had the range and worked the crowd like he has been doing it for almost a decade… as he has. Jouney wasn’t there as just some opener. As co-headliner they put on a FULL 2 hour set that rivaled that of what was to come. They leaned into the Football theme of the Sofi stadium with guitarist Neal Schon sporting a Bill Belichick sleeveless hoodie and Keyboardist Jonathan Cain sporting a Taylor Rapp LA Rams Jersey . I was really impressed by Pineda and how his range just kept elevating each song. “Faithfully” had arms swaying and phone lights twinkling throughout the stadium, while the anthemic. By the time they hit “Wheel in the Sky” the audience was on their feet singing along, at top volume. With “Lights” out came everyone’s Cell Phones… and yes I miss the lighters. It was still a beautiful spectacle. I wasn’t ready for drummer Deen Castronovo’s vocals. He arguably might have been a more exact match for the Steve Perry vocals. I was blown away. Journey really showcases how important backing vocals are. The depth of this band and all of these talented artists singing in harmony is something that really makes them special. “Don’t Stop Believin’” united everyone in one giant sing-along, echoing throughout SOFI’s impressive architecture. Pineda’s vibrant stage presence and powerful vocals made it clear that Journey is still as relevant and captivating as ever. Since Joining the band in 2007 he has brought life and respect to the music loved by millions.
Journey:
Neal Schon – Lead guitar, backing vocals
Jonathan Cain – Keyboards, piano, backing vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
Deen Castronovo – Drums, backing and lead vocals
Arnel Pineda – Lead vocals
Jason Derlatka – Keyboards, backing and lead vocals
Todd Jensen – Bass, backing vocals
Setlist:
1. Only the Young
2. Stone in Love
3. Keep On Runnin’ (Deen Castronovo lead vocals)
4. Escape
5. Faithfully
6. Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
7. Jonathan Cain Piano Solo
8. Open Arms
9. Line of Fire
10. La Do Da
11. Dead or Alive
12. Neal Schon Guitar Solo
13. Wheel in the Sky
14. Lights (Deen Castronovo vocals)
15. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
16. Be Good to Yourself
17. Any Way You Want It
18. Don’t Stop Believin’
Then, the moment everyone had been waiting for – Def Leppard. As the lights dimmed and the clock counted down, the roar of anticipation from the crowd was deafening. The countdown clock was a fun touch, building excitement rather than relying on the random dimming of lights at an arbitrary time. Bursting onto the stage with “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop),” Joe Elliott led the charge with his signature voice still full of vigor, and the band showed no signs of slowing down. They worked the trident-shaped stage, giving special attention to the “VIP Pit,” where folks got an amazing experience. From “Foolin’,” which unbelievably came out 41 years ago, to the 1987 hit “Armageddon It,” each song felt like a direct connection to the golden age of stadium rock, with everyone belting out the lyrics as if no time had passed since the 1980s.
Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell’s dueling guitar solos lit up the stadium, and Rick Allen’s drumming was as thunderous as ever, reminding us all why Def Leppard continues to fill stadiums. The setlist stuck mainly to the classics from Pyromania and Hysteria, with just a sprinkle of High ‘n’ Dry added in for spice. The notable outliers were wonderful acoustic versions of “Two Steps Behind,” with Joe Elliott performing solo vocals and acoustic guitar from 1993’s Retro Active, and a great performance of “This Guitar” from Diamond Star Halos. For that song, all the band members, including drummer Rick Allen, came to the end of the runway to engage with the audience up close and personal. Allen even joined in on the maracas for the tune.
Earlier in the set, they played their new song “Just Like ’73,” which dropped at the beginning of this tour and is well worth a listen. “Switch 625” featured a fantastic showcase of Rick Allen’s multi-pedal drumming, which never fails to blow me away. The man is a legend.
However, I was ashamed of the Los Angeles crowd when Elliott went for the sing-alongs during “Two Steps Behind” and “Bringing on the Heartbreak” and got NOTHING from the audience. I mean, nothing. I looked around, and not a single person was singing. Clearly, they only sold two Def Leppard albums in LA. I was shocked. It was a capacity crowd, with the cheap seats filled and the floor fairly packed, so the silence was deafening. Luckily for the band, folks woke up for “Rock of Ages,” and they were on their feet singing along. A nice “Happy Birthday” song for guitarist Vivian Campbell (with the audience singing along, finally), and “Photograph” brought the main set to a close and launched into the encore of “Hysteria” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.”
The evening was a perfect blend of nostalgia and timeless rock, where each song acted as a portal to summers long gone yet still somehow within reach. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, joy, and a shared love for the music that has soundtracked countless memories. As the night came to a close with encore performances that had the entire stadium on its feet, it became clear that this concert was more than just a trip down memory lane – it was a celebration of rock’s enduring spirit and the power of music to bring people together across generations.
Def Leppard:
Rick Savage: Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
Joe Elliott: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Piano, Keyboards
Rick Allen: Drums, Vocals
Phil Collen: Guitar, Vocals
Vivian Campbell: Guitar, Vocals
Setlist:
1. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
2. Rocket
3. Foolin’
4. Armageddon It
5. Animal
6. Love Bites
7. Just Like ’73
8. Comin’ Under Fire
9. Too Late for Love
10. Die Hard the Hunter
11. Two Steps Behind (Joe Elliott Solo Acoustic)
12. This Guitar (Full Band Acoustic)
13. Bringin’ On the Heartbreak (Acoustic/Electric version)
14. Switch 625
15. Rock of Ages
16. Photograph
Encore
17. Hysteria
18. Pour Some Sugar on Me
