- There’s something special about seeing two bands who genuinely still love what they do. On a warm Saturday night at BP Pulse Live in Birmingham, Extreme and Def Leppard delivered a show that celebrated virtuosity, nostalgia and, above all, songs that have stood the test of time.
EXTREME
Opening with Decadence Dance, Extreme wasted no time reminding everyone that they’re far more than the band who wrote More Than Words. Gary Cherone remains an effortlessly charismatic frontman, while Nuno Bettencourt continues to prove why he’s regarded as one of the finest guitarists of his generation.
The new material, #REBEL and RISE, fitted seamlessly alongside classics like Rest in Peace, Hole Hearted and the impossibly intricate Get the Funk Out. The acoustic pairing of Hole Hearted and More Than Words gave the audience a chance to sing every word before the band launched back into the technical fireworks of Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee.
One of the evening’s highlights came during the closing medley of I Don’t Know, Bark at the Moon and Crazy Train, a heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne that had the Birmingham crowd roaring in approval. It was both respectful and exhilarating, with Bettencourt effortlessly handling Randy Rhoads’ iconic guitar parts.
Extreme’s set was tight, energetic and refreshingly varied, reminding everyone that they’re one of rock’s most accomplished live acts.
Extreme Setlist
Decadence Dance
#REBEL
Rest in Peace
Play With Me
Midnight Express
Hole Hearted
More Than Words
Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee
Get the Funk Out
RISE
I Don’t Know / Bark at the Moon / Crazy Train (Ozzy Osbourne cover)
DEF LEPPARD
For Def Leppard, Birmingham always feels like home territory, and the reception reflected that from the moment Rejoice opened the show.
Rather than relying solely on greatest hits, the band crafted a set that mixed fan favourites with deeper cuts. Animal and Let’s Get Rocked quickly got the arena moving before an unexpected cover of Depeche Mode’s Personal Jesus added an intriguing twist.
The emotional pairing of Bringin’ On the Heartbreak and Switch 625 remains one of the strongest moments in the band’s catalogue, while Rocket sounded as huge as ever. David Essex’s Rock On was an enjoyable surprise before White Lightning.
Perhaps the night’s biggest talking point was Slang, featuring Nuno Bettencourt. The collaboration injected fresh energy into a song that rarely gets such a prominent outing, with the James Brown and David Bowie snippets adding an unexpected funk flavour that worked remarkably well.
From there, the momentum barely dipped. Promises, introduced with a cappella harmonies, showcased the band’s still-impressive vocals, while Armageddon It, Love Bites, Rock of Ages and Photograph delivered hit after hit.
The encore was everything fans could have wanted. When Love and Hate Collide provided an emotional singalong before the unmistakable bass intro led into Hysteria, arguably the emotional peak of the night. Naturally, Pour Some Sugar on Me closed proceedings, turning the entire arena into one enormous choir.
Both bands demonstrated why they’ve endured for decades. Extreme offered dazzling musicianship and infectious energy, while Def Leppard balanced nostalgia with enough surprises to keep even long-time fans engaged.
Joe Elliott’s voice may have evolved over the years, but the band’s trademark harmonies remain remarkably strong, and the chemistry between the five members is as natural as ever. Nuno Bettencourt’s guest appearance during Slang was the icing on the cake, linking the two bands in memorable fashion.
This wasn’t simply a nostalgia tour—it was a celebration of musicians who continue to perform with passion, confidence and genuine enjoyment.
- Extreme Setlist
- Decadence Dance
- #REBEL
- Rest in Peace
- Play With Me
- Midnight Express
- Hole Hearted
- More Than Words
- Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee
- Get the Funk Out
- RISE
- I Don’t Know / Bark at the Moon / Crazy Train
- (Ozzy Osbourne cover
- Def Leppard Setlist
- Rejoice
- Animal
- Let’s Get Rocked
- Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode cover)
Bringin’ On the Heartbreak
Switch 625
Just Like ’73
Rocket
Rock On (David Essex cover)
White Lightning
Slang (with Nuno Bettencourt)
Promises
Armageddon It
Love Bites
Rock of Ages
Photograph
Encore:
When Love and Hate Collide
Hysteria
Pour Some Sugar on Me
