Def Leppard at the Las Vegas Sphere? Phil Collen Keeps the Door Open

Will Def Leppard ever play the Las Vegas Sphere, the giant spherical venue with its spectacular LED interior? Guitarist Phil Collen was not about to commit in a radio interview with Larry Mac of 96.1 KLPX — they would see what the future brings, was his answer. It certainly did not sound like a no.

The band already has plenty of Las Vegas experience: in February 2026 they completed a twelve-show residency at Caesars Palace. Collen himself was surprised by how well it went — he counts two of those nights among the five best shows of the band's entire career, and reckons night 12 may have been the best gig Def Leppard have ever played.

The interview was actually prompted by Collen's side project Manraze, which he runs with Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and bassist Simon Laffy. Their output has now been collected in the 5-CD box "Lock, Stock & Barrel (Complete Recordings 2008–2011)" via Cherry Red Records — featuring both studio albums plus live recordings, acoustic sessions, instrumentals and rarities. In a trio, Collen says, the energy is different: you can veer off spontaneously and try things that would hardly be possible within Def Leppard's tightly arranged framework.

Source: BraveWords.