British rock legends DEF LEPPARD are preparing to take their unmistakable sound back on the road in 2027, announcing an enormous 45-date tour featuring special guests GOO GOO DOLLS and THE STRUTS!
Get ready for soaring guitar solos, massive singalong choruses and a serious dose of classic rock nostalgia, because DEF LEPPARD are gearing up for another huge year of live music.
The Sheffield rock icons, responsible for some of the biggest anthems in rock history, have unveiled plans for an extensive 45-show tour in 2027, with American alternative rock favourites GOO GOO DOLLS and British glam-rock revivalists THE STRUTS joining the celebrations.
Bringing together three acts with distinctive sounds and impressive live reputations, the tour promises a night packed with hits, energy and plenty of rock ‘n’ roll swagger.
๐ค DEF LEPPARD Return For Another Huge Year On The Road
Few bands have enjoyed the extraordinary longevity of DEF LEPPARD.
More than four decades after emerging from Sheffield’s vibrant rock scene, the group remain one of the most recognisable and commercially successful names in British rock music.
Their blend of hard-rock riffs, polished production, layered harmonies and enormous choruses helped define the sound of arena rock throughout the 1980s.
And while musical trends have changed dramatically over the decades, DEF LEPPARD’s biggest songs have never really disappeared.
Tracks such as Pour Some Sugar On Me, Photograph, Rock Of Ages, Animal and Hysteria continue to attract generations of fans.
The newly announced 2027 tour will provide another opportunity for audiences to experience those songs performed live.
With 45 dates planned, it represents a substantial touring commitment from a band that has already spent decades travelling the world.
๐ธ GOO GOO DOLLS Join The Party
One of the most interesting additions to the tour is American rock band GOO GOO DOLLS.
Formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1986, the group developed from their early punk-influenced sound into one of the most successful alternative rock acts of the 1990s and 2000s.
Led by singer and guitarist John Rzeznik, alongside bassist and vocalist Robby Takac, GOO GOO DOLLS have built a remarkable catalogue of emotionally charged rock songs.
Their biggest hits include:
- Iris โ Their hugely successful signature ballad, originally released in 1998.
- Slide โ A melodic alternative rock favourite.
- Name โ The breakthrough single that helped establish the band with mainstream audiences.
- Black Balloon โ A powerful and atmospheric fan favourite.
- Broadway โ A distinctive track from their successful Dizzy Up The Girl album.
- Here Is Gone โ Another memorable example of their melodic songwriting.
The band’s inclusion adds a different musical dimension to the tour, combining DEF LEPPARD’s classic arena-rock sound with GOO GOO DOLLS’ alternative rock influences.
And with songs like Iris and Slide in their arsenal, there should be no shortage of opportunities for enormous audience singalongs.
โก THE STRUTS Bring British Rock ‘N’ Roll Swagger
Completing the announced lineup are THE STRUTS, one of Britain’s most entertaining contemporary rock bands.
Formed in Derby, the group have earned a reputation for theatrical performances, flamboyant fashion and an energetic sound influenced by classic British rock.
Fronted by the charismatic Luke Spiller, THE STRUTS combine elements of glam rock, hard rock and modern alternative music.
Their sound draws comparisons with legendary artists such as QUEEN, THE ROLLING STONES and THE DARKNESS, while maintaining a distinctive personality of their own.
Popular songs include Could Have Been Me, Kiss This, Body Talks, Primadonna Like Me and Too Good At Raising Hell.
Their energetic stage presence makes them an exciting addition to the tour.
For fans who have yet to experience THE STRUTS live, this could be an ideal introduction.
The band have already demonstrated their ability to entertain large audiences, and sharing a touring bill with DEF LEPPARD provides another opportunity to showcase their music to classic rock fans.
๐ฅ Three Bands, Three Different Generations Of Rock
One of the most appealing aspects of the tour is the variety of musical styles represented.
DEF LEPPARD bring the unmistakable sound of classic British arena rock.
GOO GOO DOLLS offer emotionally driven alternative rock and radio-friendly melodies.
THE STRUTS deliver theatrical, high-energy rock ‘n’ roll inspired by the genre’s golden age.
Although each band approaches rock music differently, they share an ability to write memorable songs that connect with large audiences.
That combination could make the tour particularly attractive to fans who enjoy a mixture of classic hits and more contemporary rock performances.
๐ฟ DEF LEPPARD’s Extraordinary Career
DEF LEPPARD formed in Sheffield in 1977 and became one of the defining bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement.
Their early releases, including On Through The Night (1980) and High ‘n’ Dry (1981), established them as a promising young hard-rock group.
However, it was 1983’s Pyromania that transformed DEF LEPPARD into international superstars.
Featuring hits such as Photograph, Rock Of Ages and Foolin’, the album combined heavy guitar riffs with polished production and irresistible melodies.
Four years later, DEF LEPPARD released Hysteria, one of the most successful rock albums of the decade.
The record produced a remarkable collection of singles, including Animal, Love Bites, Pour Some Sugar On Me, Armageddon It, Rocket and the title track.
Its success helped cement the band’s place among the biggest rock acts in the world.
Further albums followed, including Adrenalize (1992), Slang (1996), Euphoria (1999), Songs From The Sparkle Lounge (2008), Def Leppard (2015) and Diamond Star Halos (2022).
Throughout their career, the band have continued to adapt while retaining the melodic hard-rock identity that made them famous.
๐ฅ Overcoming Tragedy And Adversity
DEF LEPPARD’s story is also one of extraordinary resilience.
Drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm following a serious car accident in December 1984.
Rather than abandoning his musical career, Allen developed a customised electronic drum kit that allowed him to continue performing.
His determination became one of the most inspirational stories in rock history.
The band also experienced tragedy when guitarist Steve Clark died in January 1991 at the age of 30.
Following his death, DEF LEPPARD continued as a four-piece before recruiting Vivian Campbell in 1992.
These events helped shape the band’s identity, strengthening a musical partnership that has endured for decades.
๐ค The DEF LEPPARD Lineup
The band’s longstanding lineup features:
- Joe Elliott โ Lead vocals
- Phil Collen โ Guitar and backing vocals
- Vivian Campbell โ Guitar and backing vocals
- Rick Savage โ Bass guitar and backing vocals
- Rick Allen โ Drums
Together, the five musicians have maintained one of the most recognisable lineups in classic rock.
Their performances continue to celebrate the songs that made DEF LEPPARD household names while introducing their music to younger audiences.
๐ถ What Could Be On The Setlist?
Although the official 2027 setlist has not been confirmed, DEF LEPPARD have an enormous catalogue of material to choose from.
Fans will undoubtedly be hoping to hear favourites such as:
- Photograph
- Rock Of Ages
- Animal
- Hysteria
- Pour Some Sugar On Me
- Love Bites
- Armageddon It
- Rocket
- Foolin’
- Bringin’ On The Heartbreak
- Let’s Get Rocked
- Promises
- Kick
- Take What You Want
Of course, setlists can change between performances, and nothing is guaranteed until the band confirms its plans.
However, with so many internationally recognised songs, DEF LEPPARD have more than enough material to deliver a memorable evening of live rock music.
๐ DEF LEPPARD 2027 Tour โ All 45 Confirmed Dates
The tour will take place across North America, beginning on 2 March 2027 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and finishing on 2 July in Indianapolis, Indiana.
March 2027
| Date | City | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2 March | Allentown | Pennsylvania, USA |
| 5 March | Montrรฉal | Quรฉbec, Canada |
| 7 March | Detroit | Michigan, USA |
| 9 March | Toronto | Ontario, Canada |
| 11 March | Quรฉbec City | Quรฉbec, Canada |
| 13 March | Newark | New Jersey, USA |
| 17 March | Boston | Massachusetts, USA |
| 19 March | Nashville | Tennessee, USA |
| 21 March | Washington | Washington, D.C., USA |
| 23 March | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania, USA |
| 25 March | Chicago | Illinois, USA |
| 27 March | Minneapolis | Minnesota, USA |
| 29 March | Denver | Colorado, USA |
| 31 March | Salt Lake City | Utah, USA |
April 2027
| Date | City | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 13 April | Austin | Texas, USA |
| 16 April | Little Rock | Arkansas, USA |
| 18 April | Fort Worth | Texas, USA |
| 20 April | Mobile | Alabama, USA |
| 22 April | Wichita | Kansas, USA |
| 24 April | Lincoln | Nebraska, USA |
| 26 April | Kansas City | Missouri, USA |
| 29 April | Glendale | Arizona, USA |
May 2027
| Date | City | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May | Los Angeles | California, USA |
| 5 May | San Francisco | California, USA |
| 7 May | Sacramento | California, USA |
| 9 May | Seattle | Washington, USA |
| 11 May | Spokane | Washington, USA |
| 14 May | Vancouver | British Columbia, Canada |
| 16 May | Edmonton | Alberta, Canada |
| 29 May | San Antonio | Texas, USA |
June 2027
| Date | City | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 June | Houston | Texas, USA |
| 3 June | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma, USA |
| 5 June | Milwaukee | Wisconsin, USA |
| 7 June | St. Louis | Missouri, USA |
| 9 June | Louisville | Kentucky, USA |
| 11 June | Savannah | Georgia, USA |
| 13 June | Tampa | Florida, USA |
| 17 June | Atlanta | Georgia, USA |
| 19 June | Columbus | Ohio, USA |
| 21 June | Cleveland | Ohio, USA |
| 23 June | New York | New York, USA |
| 25 June | Uncasville | Connecticut, USA |
| 27 June | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania, USA |
| 30 June | Charlotte | North Carolina, USA |
July 2027
| Date | City | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2 July | Indianapolis | Indiana, USA |
๐๏ธ Tickets And Presale Information
Rock Brigade fan club presale: Monday 12 October 2026, 10am local time.
General ticket sale: Friday 16 October 2026, 10am local time.
In addition, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to City of Hope, supporting cancer research and treatment.
๐ค THE RIFF REPORT VERDICT
With 45 shows, three established rock bands and a catalogue of songs capable of filling arenas, DEF LEPPARD’s 2027 North American tour promises to be one of the major classic rock events of the year.
The addition of GOO GOO DOLLS and THE STRUTS gives the bill a particularly appealing mix of melodic rock, alternative anthems and British glam-rock energy.
And for DEF LEPPARD, it is another reminder of just how far five musicians from Sheffield have travelled since the late 1970s.
Three bands. Forty-five shows. Four months of rock ‘n’ roll.
2027 is going to be loud! ๐ธ๐ฅ๐ค
