Def Leppard - OVO Hydro 28th June 2026

Def Leppard at the OVO Hydro: A 49-Year Rock Masterclass

Def Leppard in Glasgow feels like a time-honoured tradition. Having played everywhere from the iconic Apollo to the Barrowlands and now the OVO Hydro, they have a history with this city that runs deep. But last night, June 28th, 2026, they proved they arent just resting on their laurels—theyre still pushing the limits of what a rock arena show should be.



Def Leppard at OVO Hydro, photo by Stewart Fullerton.

The staging was an immediate statement of intent: a massive "D" cage looming over the front of the stage. We all knew it was going to move, but the way it transformed was brilliant. Halfway through the opening, the singer was out on a platform, walking right through the crowd, showing off the kind of showmanship that comes from nearly five decades on the road.

They launched into "Animal" - to coin a Glasgow phrase - a "shooty-in" track that instantly had the whole Hydro electrified. It was a massive, catchy opener that let everyone know they werent messing about. Then came the cover—"Personal Jesus." Hearing a rock band of this caliber tackle Depeche Mode with such a heavy, distorted riff was a highlight; it was absolutely rocking out.

Joe Elliott took a moment to reflect on the timeline: 49 years, August 1977, flipping through record collections together, and deciding to form a band. Here we were, 49 years later, in Glasgow, watching the fruits of that decision. It felt genuine and grounded.




Def Leppard at OVO Hydro, photo by Stewart Fullerton.


The production was on another level. The bass solo, with the stage plunged into darkness and the lights mapping the movement, was perfectly executed. And lets talk about Rick Allen—his drum solo was a masterclass in power and precision, proving exactly why hes a legend of the kit
The recurring visual of the Leopard appearing on the screens—wanting to bite—was a great motif that kept the energy sharp. And when the singer headed up into the upper tier, the crowd went wild. The laser show was sensational, with the light mapping perfectly hitting the screens.


"Photograph" is an absolute banger of a tune, and hearing it, I dedicated to our esteemed photographer, Stewart Fullerton, obviously!

We closed the night on a massive high with the singalong finale of "Pour Some Sugar on Me." Sharing that moment with two friends Ive stood beside at rock gigs for years made it even better. Thats what its all about.



Def Leppard at OVO Hydro, photo by Stewart Fullerton.

Def Leppard - OVO Hydro, Glasgow - 28th June 2026 Setlist:

Rejoice

Animal

Lets Get Rocked

Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode cover)

Bringin On the Heartbreak

Switch 625

Just Like 73

Rocket

Rock On (David Essex cover) (with Joe appearing and performing in the audience seated section)

White Lightning

Slang (with interlude snippets of "Get Up Offa That Thing" by James Brown & "Fame" by David Bowie)

Promises (with a capella intro)

Armageddon It

Love Bites

Rock of Ages

Photograph

Encore: 17. When Love and Hate Collide
18. Hysteria (with 1987-1993 bass intro)
19. Pour Some Sugar on Me

Review by Craig McGee, photography by Stewart Fullerton.

This article has been viewed 32 times