Photos by Roman Sobus
Review by Tom Wojcik
Walking towards Wrigley Field, rock n roll fans came out in droves as “The Summer Stadium Tour 2024” hit Chicago. Featuring the Steve Miller Band co-headlining with Journey and Def Leppard, the Monday night spectacle was besieged with looming tornados, causing the show to start 90 minutes earlier, with little notice given by the promoters or venue. This writer got the info from Journey drummer Deen Castronovo’s social media feed, who’s impressive stints include Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai and The Dead Daisies. Basking down in 90º heat, Steve Miller and his band played hit after hit, like the drifty opener “Fly Like An Eagle,” “Take The Money And Run,” and “Jungle Love,” before closing out after an abbreviated set.
Journey started at 5:30 PM with “Only The Young,” playing every classic you could want from “Open Arms,” “Wheel In The Sky,” and the thunderous chorus of “Don’t Stop Believing”. The band really gave the fans what they wanted with every player flawlessly executing the hits that so many people grew up on.
As the “Pyroclock” on the big screens counted the “Lep” 15 minutes stage time, the bright blue skies chameleoned to grey as the familiar notes of “Rock! Rock! Til You Drop” began to buzz. The Brits slightly re-invented themselves, as they played the same venue nearly two years ago alongside Motley Crue, with a setlist boasting new and old with the latest single “Just Like ’73” before going into the deep cut “Coming Under Fire,” from 1983’s opus Pyromania. A surprising gem for the die hards. As the night began, frontman Joe Elliot apologized for the early start as “Mother Nature had other plans,” and guitarists Vivian Campbell and Phil Collin show why they are one of the most underrated guitar duos of the last 30 years, since Campbell replaced the fallen Steve Clarke in 1992. Missing was the instrumental ode to Clarke, “Switch 625,” or the lighter-inducing “Two Steps Behind,” but it’s obvious this band can effortlessly deliver a killer rock show nearly 50 years into their jaw-dropping career.
In the shortened set, drummer Rick “Thunder God” Allen’s ear-to-ear grin stayed the entire set, as “Hysteria” and long multi-platinum favorite Pour Some Sugar On Me” ended the night as the white lightning and rain began to pour on Chicago.
STEVE MILLER BAND
Space Intro
Fly Like an Eagle
Swingtown
Take the Money and Run
Abracadabra
Jungle Love
Rock Me
The Joker
Jet Airliner
JOURNEY
Only The Young
Guitar Solo
Stone in Love
Escape
Faithfully
Lovin’,Touchin,Squeezin’
Piano Solo
Open Arms
Line of Fire
Guitar Solo
Wheel in the Sky
Lights
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
Be Good to Yourself
Any Way You Want It
Don’t Stop Believin’
DEF LEPPARD
Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
Rocket
Foolin’
Armageddon It
Animal
Love Bites
Just Like ‘73
Comin’ Under Fire
Too Late for Love
Die Hard the Hunter
Rock of Ages
Photograph
Hysteria
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Photo Gallery : Steve Miller Band – Wrigley Field (07.15.2024)
