BP Pulse Live was already humming with midsummer anticipation long before the first band stepped out. Birmingham crowds know their rock history, and on this night they welcomed two acts who helped shape it — Extreme and Def Leppard — with the kind of enthusiasm that vibrates through a venue. Generations of fans filled the arena, creating an atmosphere that felt celebratory, communal, and unmistakably alive.

Extreme – A masterclass in musicianship, mischief, and a heartfelt nod to Birmingham’s own legacy

Extreme opened with the kind of swagger that instantly reminds you why they’ve endured. Gary Cherone bounded across the stage with elastic energy, his voice sharp and expressive, while Nuno Bettencourt — ever the showman — wasted no time proving why he remains one of rock’s most captivating guitarists. His playing wasn’t just technically dazzling; it was playful, fluid, and full of personality.

The setlist leaned into fan favourites without feeling predictable. Decadence Dance hit with a punch, Rest in Peace shimmered with precision, and Play With Me was a whirlwind of fretboard acrobatics that left the crowd roaring. The inevitable sing‑along to More Than Words became a communal moment, Cherone and Bettencourt sharing a grin as thousands of voices took over.

But the night’s most touching moment came when Nuno spoke about Ozzy Osbourne — honouring both the city’s musical heritage and the eve of the Back to the Beginning anniversary. What followed was a blistering, tribute medley of Black Sabbath and Ozzy classics, delivered with equal parts reverence and rock‑and‑roll cheek. Bettencourt tore into the riffs with obvious joy, Cherone channelled the spirit without imitation, and the crowd responded as if the arena itself had been plugged directly into its own history.

It was a tribute that felt genuinely heartfelt rather than obligatory — a moment where Extreme connected themselves to the lineage of the place they were standing in. Their chemistry throughout the set was effortless, but here it became something more: a band paying respect to the roots of heavy music while celebrating the enduring power of live performance.

Def Leppard – Stadium‑sized polish with heart

Def Leppard took the stage to a wave of nostalgia so strong it felt almost physical. Yet what stood out most was how fresh they sounded. Joe Elliott’s vocals carried warmth and grit, and the band’s trademark harmonies were as tight as ever. Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell traded riffs with sleek confidence, while Rick Allen’s drumming — steady, powerful, unmistakably his — anchored the entire performance.

The production was classic Leppard: bold visuals, crisp sound, and a setlist crafted to keep momentum high. Let’s Get Rocked fired up the room, Animal and Foolin’ brought that irresistible melodic punch, and Love Bites glowed with emotional weight. The newer material slotted in seamlessly, proving the band still has creative fire to spare. But it was Pour Some Sugar on Me that tipped the night into full‑throttle celebration, the crowd erupting in a way that felt both joyous and inevitable.

A night that honoured the past while proving the present still matters

What made this gig special wasn’t just the hits — though both bands delivered them with gusto — but the sense of connection running through the night. Extreme’s playful virtuosity and heartfelt tribute to Birmingham’s own heavy‑metal heritage paired beautifully with Def Leppard’s polished power, creating a show that felt generous, spirited, and genuinely uplifting.

BP Pulse Live has hosted its share of big nights, but this one had a particular glow. Two bands with long histories, still performing with passion, still capable of surprising, and still able to unite a crowd in the simple joy of loud, unapologetic rock.

A triumphant evening from start to finish.

Review by Karen Clayton

Photos by Andy Nathan (from London show)

The setlist for the Birmingham show on July 4, 2026:

Def Leppard

1. Rejoice
2. Animal
3. Let’s Get Rocked
4. Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode cover)
5. Bringin’ On the Heartbreak
6. Switch 625 (Instrumental)
7. Just Like ’73
8. Rocket
9. Rock On (David Essex cover, with Rick Savage bass intro)
10. White Lightning (with Phil Collen/Vivian Campbell guitar intro)
11. Slang (with Nuno Bettencourt; included a jam of James Brown’s “Get Up Offa That Thing” and David Bowie’s “Fame”)
12. Promises (with an acapella intro)
13. Armageddon It
14. Love Bites
15. Rock of Ages
16. Photograph
17. When Love and Hate Collide
18. Hysteria (with 1987-1993 extended bass/intro outro)
19. Pour Some Sugar on Me [1, 2, 3, 4]

Extreme

1. Decadence Dance
2. #REBEL
3. Rest in Peace
4. Play With Me (Featuring a We Will Rock You intro)
5. Hole Hearted
6. Midnight Express (Nuno Bettencourt acoustic solo)
7. More Than Words
8. Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee
9. Get the Funk Out
10. RISE

Ozzy Osbourne Cover Medley (I Don’t Know / Bark at the Moon / Crazy Train)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 21 June 2026.

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Power Plays w/c 6 July 2026

VELVET RUSH Nature Of The Beast (Frontiers)
BEN POOLE No Second Chances (indie)
THE DEAD REDS Empire (Regni Records)
THE WLDLFE No Sleep (Riser House Records)
JANE AND THE KILLER QUEENS Body Horror (indie)
ESCAPE THE HIVE Around The Sun (Deko Entertainment)
ELYSION Guardian Angel (Massacre Records)

Featured Albums w/c 6 July 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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