Billy Idol, the uber cool, leather clad pop-rock superstar gave an amazingly unforgettable performance to a full to capacity – 25000 seats – AO Arena in Manchester last night.
Idol is just that… a rock idol who is totally worthy of this accolade! It is ironic that he adopted this name after his chemistry teacher told him he was an ‘idle’ student – there was certainly nothing idle about his concert last night.
With the band all in place, including his sensational lead guitarist Steve Stevens (more about him later), Billy emerged on the stage with his trademark arm punching the air to an equally impressive set of backdrop graphics. Billy strutted, postured and danced around the stage in a way that belied his age of 66. Fans screamed from start to finish as he delivered hit after hit in his true enigmatic style.
The deep gravelly voice, not to mention the raw sex appeal that oozed from every fibre of his bones screamed he was the real deal! A true legend, who is still relevant. This rock God never disappointed in any aspect of his concert; he delivered a performance so strong from start to finish that many artists could only dream about!
Billy interspersed his songs with chats to the audience. He emotionally explained his inspiration around his track Cage and how he felt the restraints of not being able to go anywhere during the global pandemic. This was taken to a new level of restrictions when sadly, his mother died and he was unable to travel to attend her funeral. His guttural roar at the end of the track signifying the emotions of anxiety, bereftness and sheer frustration at not being able to say goodbye to his beloved mother.
He gave a similar emotional monologue when introducing Bitter Taste. A track inspired by his serious motorcycle crash that left him worrying if he would still have both of his legs. His Runnin’ From The Ghost inspiration was after he has frightened himself due to the depths of his alcoholism and how he battles everyday with his sobriety and desperately doesn’t want to go back to those dark days. Idol’s lyrics on these two tracks in particular are very profound and honest. He compared himself and his addition to the character Jekyll and Hyde.
The raucous cacophony of the audience intensified stratospherically when Idol performed his iconic tracks Dancing with Myself, Mony Mony, Rebel Yell and White Wedding.
Idol graciously gave up the limelight on a number of occasions to include and showcase his super talented lead guitarist Steve Stevens. This man is up there with Prince, knopfler and Led Zeppelin as he literally makes his guitar sing. His solo spots demonstrated a masterly deterous, brilliance when he performed Blue Highway and an extended version of the Top Gun anthem. Stevens roused the already excited audience with a very charismatic performance, jumping on amps, deploying animated moves leading to a crescendo when playing his intricate guitar solo with the guitar around the back of his head and upside down without missing a chord. Pure brilliance personified!
What is not to love about Billy Idol? He looks the part, sounds the part and delivered a fantastic show that I for one, still have his songs going round in my head twelve hours later.
Set List:
Dancing With Myself, Cradle Of Love, Flesh For Fantasy, Cage,Speed, Bitter Taste, Eyes Without A Face, Mony Mony, Runnin’ From The Ghost, One Hundred Punks, Blue Highway/Top Gun Anthem, Rebel Yell.
Encore:
Rebel Like You, Born To Lose, White Wedding.