Def Leppard pour some visual magic on Manchester's Co-Op Live
- Toni Slater
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Co-op Live, Manchester – 6th July 2026
WORDS AND IMAGES TONI SLATER
Co-op Live is a venue of epic proportions, and tonight's visiting bands fit the bill perfectly. On the final night of Def Leppard's UK arena tour, with support from Extreme, it was clear from the opening moments that both bands were determined to make this a night to remember.
Extreme burst onto the stage with an explosion of energy that instantly filled the arena. The '90s favourites delivered a tight, polished performance, both vocally and musically, reminding everyone exactly why they've remained such a respected live act. Guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt and frontman Gary Cherone covered every inch of the stage with charisma, confidence and seemingly endless stamina, tearing through classics including Decadence Dance, Hole Hearted and Get the Funk Out. The four-piece commanded the stage with ease, giving the crowd exactly what they had come for. Bettencourt's guitar work deservedly took centre stage, his riffs fast, melodic and technically breathtaking without ever losing their groove. Unsurprisingly, the chart-topping ballad More Than Words received the biggest cheer of the set, with thousands of voices singing every word back at the band.
Def Leppard's back catalogue now spans an incredible five decades, and remarkably, their line-up has remained virtually unchanged, with the current members together since 1992. The setlist on this tour has stayed largely consistent, favouring fan favourites, chart hits and arena-sized singalong anthems rather than deep cuts. Joe Elliott struts onto the stage with trademark swagger and a broad smile, sporting a pair of Union Jack sunglasses, one lens covered by the flag, before casually tossing them into the crowd for a lucky fan in the front rows. It's a small gesture, but one that perfectly sums up the band's connection with their audience.
The band are as tight and polished as ever, showing absolutely no signs of fatigue despite this being the sixth and final show of the run. If anything, there's an extra spark in the performance, a sense that they know they're ending the tour on a high. What a way to close out a sold-out arena run.
The production is every bit as impressive as the music. The towering backdrops and spectacular lighting transform the stage throughout the evening. During Animal, an enormous silver leopard looms above the band, snarling through the smoke and lights, while a huge illuminated DEF LEPPARD logo dominates the stage during the opening section of the set. Lasers, strobes and perfectly timed spotlights slice through the arena, adding another layer of drama without ever distracting from the performance.
Their cover of Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus is a welcome addition to the set, and the band tackle the 1990 classic with confidence, style and conviction. Across the evening they cover every base, delivering a generous 19-song set, with six tracks taken from the legendary Hysteria, an album that has now sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and still sounds as fresh in a live setting as it did nearly 40 years ago.
Every member of Def Leppard is a consummate showman, each bringing their own personality and charisma to the stage. Whether it's Rick Savage laying down rock-solid bass lines, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell trading riffs, or Rick Allen's inspirational presence behind the drums, everyone has their moment. The fact that they can still sell out a 23,000-capacity arena with such ease is testament not only to their legacy but also to the enduring quality of their live show.
The hits come thick and fast. Armageddon It, Love Bites, Rocket and Pour Some Sugar on Me all receive the huge reaction you'd expect, the latter bringing the evening to a euphoric close as thousands of voices sing every lyric back to the stage.
Nuno Bettencourt returns to join the party during Slang, adding extra firepower to a performance that also includes a playful medley of James Brown's Get Up Offa That Thing and David Bowie's Fame. It's an unexpected highlight and another reminder that, even after all these years, Def Leppard still enjoy throwing in a surprise or two.
The band remain on stage for almost two hours, yet the time disappears in the blink of an eye. The audience barely stop singing, cheering or punching the air. Looking around, there's a sea of faded denim jackets decorated with old-school sewn-on patches, ripped band T-shirts and stonewashed jeans. There's warmth, nostalgia and a genuine sense of community in the room. This isn't simply another rock concert; it's a celebration of music that has soundtracked generations, and every single person inside Co-op Live is completely invested from the opening note to the final shower of confetti.
SET LIST
Rejoice
Animal
Let's Get Rocked
Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode cover)
Bringin' On the Heartbreak
Switch 626
Just Like '73
Rocket
Rock On
White Lightning
Slang
Promises
Armageddon It
Love Bites
Rock of Ages
Photograph
ENCORE
When Love and Hate Collide
Hysteria
Pour Some Sugar on Me
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