British ‘80s rock icon Billy Idol shook The Riverstage (31 January) on his first tour of Australia since 2015.
As a fan who practised Idol’s trademark sneer in the mirror as a teen, I was a bundle of nerves waiting to see if the 64-year-old rocker still had 'it'.Opening the show with his 1990 hit ‘Cradle Of Love’, Idol’s performance seemed a little tempered and I got anxious. The second song of the night, 1981’s pop hit ‘Dancing With Myself’ while undoubtedly infectious and a crowd pleaser also seemed softened, and I will admit I was starting to despair.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
But by the third song, ‘Flesh For Fantasy’, Idol’s gravelly croon had started to warm up, and by the time he launched into his cover of The Doors’ ‘L.A. Woman’, Idol was in full fist-pumping, bona fide rock star flight. As my dad said to me at the song’s conclusion: “Jim Morrison would be happy with that.”
Clicked here for more photos from the show.
Backed by his full five-piece band including his long-time collaborator and lead guitarist Steve Stevens, guitar solos featured heavily in the show.
A gentle guitar solo introduced Idol’s ballad-like ‘Eyes Without A Face’ and during Idol’s costume changes, Stevens wowed the crowd with excerpts of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway To Heaven’, the ‘Top Gun’ anthem and a touch of flamenco.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
The set list honoured Idol’s origins as frontman of '70s punk rock band Generation X, with ‘Your Generation’ and ‘Ready, Steady, Go’ performed from the group’s back catalogue, and featured lesser known Idol tracks ‘Blue Highway’, ‘Soul Standing By’ and ‘Can’t Break Me Down’.
Still rocking his trademark leathers, bleached spiky hair, fist pump and snarl, Idol could easily be but an ‘80s caricature. Thankfully he isn’t afraid to show his softer side, revealing during the show that bushfire first responders were invited guests, and announcing that a percentage of merchandise sales would go to Animals Australia and Rural Aid.
He also shared a poignant story about his late father’s passing as a prelude to ‘Ghosts In My Guitar’ off the 2014 ‘Kings & Queens Of The Underground’ album – the song his father was listening to when he passed.
‘Rebel Yell’, undoubtedly Idol’s biggest hit, had the crowd baying for “more, more, more!”, and with that the official set was over.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
Returning to the stage, Idol shouted: “Steve, show them what a hit song sounds like, will ya?” and the encore kicked off with an acoustic first half of ‘White Wedding’ before launching into the original rock version.
Idol’s cover of American pop-rock band Tommy James and the Shondells’ ‘Mony Mony’ followed and after introducing and thanking his band members, Idol and co. left the stage.
With the stage backdrop still a neon cityscape, 20 minutes left until The Riverstage’s 10pm noise curfew, and it being a balmy summer night, I had high hopes of hearing ‘Hot In The City’ in a second encore. But as the roadies started dismantling the stage and the house lights finally came on, I was left wanting less guitar solos and more hits.
As I joined the shuffling foot traffic making its way out of The Riverstage, this sentiment was echoed by other fans lamenting the absence of ‘Sweet Sixteen’ and ‘To Be A Lover’.
Idol without a doubt rocked, however a little less (timewise) than I had hoped.
