26 March,2026 06:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
Def Leppard are performing in India for the very first time. Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement
Legendary English rock band Def Leppard are finally in India, a visit they have eagerly awaited for decades, especially after coming close to performing here nearly 20 years ago. Around the same time, this writer first heard âPour Some Sugar On Me' and discovered it was the perfect track to pair with a popular Adidas football commercial for a video editing assignment. While the grade may be debatable, the song sparked a lifelong admiration for the band, which is now set to perform in Mumbai on March 27, after opening their India tour in Shillong and before concluding it in Bengaluru on March 29.
Arriving at a time when India is witnessing a surge in live music events, the timing could not be more fitting, especially given how audiences have evolved in their musical tastes. Speaking to Mid-Day, Phil Collen, the band's lead guitarist and co-vocalist, shared, "I've been looking forward for so long. I've been to India; the first time I came was in 1987. I travelled to many places, you know, when Bangaluru was called Bangalore, Madras (Chennai) and all of that. So, this is the first time we'll actually perform a real concert and tour India."
As one of the most iconic rock bands in history, Def Leppard has endured for nearly five decades by keeping things simple since their formation in 1977. Collen explains, "It is because we all get along. For example, we share one dressing room. We see other bands and don't really understand why they have separate rooms or don't get along. We've been through everything together - births, deaths, marriages, divorces, children. We've supported each other through all of it. It truly feels like a family." Reflecting on his personal journey, the guitarist, who joined the band in 1982, adds, "I've spent more time with Joe Elliott than I did with my own mother, who passed away about 20 years ago."
Many bands struggle to last that long, often breaking up to pursue solo careers, but Collen believes the root cause is clear. "I see a lot of ego trips across bands, artists, musicians, sportspeople, politicians - you name it. Ego will trip you up. We don't allow that to happen."
Surviving as a band for five decades is no small feat, especially in an industry that has transformed significantly over the years. Collen has witnessed these changes firsthand. "English rock music has evolved quite a bit since we started, but something important happened - music became more of an industry, driven by business agendas. We've managed to preserve the artistic side. You can balance both. You can meet business expectations while still staying true to your art."
He further adds, "We still create new music. We still write songs, and we remain artists - and that's crucial. Some people say you don't need to record new music anymore, but I disagree. That's what keeps us fresh. There's still integrity in what we do. We actually sing live." Collen points out that many artists rely heavily on pre-recorded tracks. "We do use some keyboard samples, but our vocals are real. We spend hours on vocal warm-ups every day, and it makes a difference. We are a genuine live band, and we take pride in that. If we didn't, we wouldn't be where we are today."
Performing live has always been central to the band's identity. Alongside Collen, the group includes Joe Elliott on lead and backing vocals, Rick Savage on bass and backing vocals, Rick Allen on drums and percussion, and Vivian Campbell on guitar and backing vocals, who joined after the tragic passing of Steve Clarke in 1991. Each member has played a vital role in shaping the band's signature sound, evident in timeless hits like âPhotograph' and âLove Bites', which continue to resonate with fans worldwide.
Def Leppard has already performed in Shillong at the RBDSA Sports Complex earlier this week and is now gearing up for their Mumbai show at the Jio World Garden in BKC, followed by a final performance at NICE Grounds in Bengaluru on March 29. The three-city tour is part of Bandland On Tour, an extension of Bandland, the rock and alternative music intellectual property of BookMyShow Live, which has produced and promoted the shows.
As the band enjoys their time in the country, Collen's fascination with India remains strong. He arrived early to explore more of the country before diving into performances. "I've been here before, but in Mumbai, you can take a ferry to the Elephanta Caves. I've visited twice and will probably go again. There are monkeys everywhere stealing food - it's quite an experience," he says, before hinting at future plans. "Maybe not this year, but we've already worked on around 15 songs. About 11 of them are ready, and we're planning to release them next year."
