It comes as no surprise that Adam Ant is still performing 35 years on from the release of his debut album; the artists life must have been written in his DNA. What’s more surprising is that he can still fill the Hammersmith Apollo.
The 30/40/50 something audience can still recall that devilishly handsome highwayman of the early 80s that for some time was splashed across every music magazine in the world. Adam traded on his good looks and charm and although there has been much water under the bridge since those heady days for the most part, that man is still here for us to enjoy.
These days his headlines centre around his bipolar disorder and bouts of enforced stays at mental health institutions but Adam Ant still has much to give on stage.
Tonight’s sell out performance is a celebration of Adam and the Ants first classic album Dirk Wears White Sox first released back in 1979.
The album heralded a musical talent in his prime and harks back to the post punk period that nurtured a young Stuart Goddard and his musical ambitions. The edgy artschool sound was the precursor to his mainstream pop period and showcases some inspirational songwriting.
Played track by track we were transported back to another lifetime, before we had to worry about work and mortgages, life was much simpler then. Tonight’s band also saw the return of two members of the that line up Dave Barbarossa and Leigh Gorman.
Tracks like Day I Met God and Tabletalk still hold their own and Cleopatra and Never Trust a Man (With Egg on His Face) are a pleasure to behold in 2014.
Clearly enjoying himself Adam, dressed in his now standard pirateware posed and pouted as of old in front of his trademark two drummers.
Cartrouble received a welcome cheer and in a 2 hour set that flew by Adam riffled through his back catalogue pulling gems from all his various incarnations including Wonderful, Viva Le Rock, Strip, Red Scab and Goodie Two Shoes. But this audience had clearly come to see the early work, there was even a scattering of mohicans and the odd mullet making an appearance.
Never leaving the stage Adam even executed a costume change mid set when a screen was brought on to cover his modesty although he kept singing throughout his head popping back and forth to the mic.
Ending the set with his preferred closer Physical, a full group hug and bow followed, Adam can rest assured that tonight’s headlines were all about the music. A pleasurable walk down memory lane with one of the music industries tortured masters.
The set list
Cartrouble (parts 1 & 2) (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Digital Tenderness (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Nine Plan Failed (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Day I Met God (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Tabletalk (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Cleopatra (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Catholic Day (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Never Trust a Man (With Egg on His Face) (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Animals & Men (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Family of Noise (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
The Idea (from Dirk Wears White Sox, 1979)
Whip in My Valise (b-side of single Zerox, 1979)
Stand and Deliver (from Prince Charming, 1981)
Antmusic (from Kings of the Wild Frontier, 1980)
Vive Le Rock (from Vive Le Rock, 1985)
Beat My Guest (b-side of single Stand and Deliver, 1981)
Wonderful (from Wonderful, 1995)
Strip (from Strip, 1983)
Dog Eat Dog (from Kings of the Wild Frontier, 1980)
Goody Two Shoes (from Friend or Foe, 1982)
Kings of the Wild Frontier (from Kings of the Wild Frontier, 1980)
Zerox (single, 1979)
Red Scab (b-side of single Goody Two Shoes, 1982)
Get It On (T. Rex cover)
20th Century Boy (T. Rex cover) (from Antmusic: The Very Best of Adam Ant, 1993)
Physical (You’re So) (b-side of single Dog Eat Dog, 1980)
Listen to Adam & The Ants radio at iHeartRadio
Watch the Noise11 Adam Ant interview
Read more at Music-News.com
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