Review by Ilya Mirman
Photos by Micah Gummel
Show Photos HERE
Returning to the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom earlier this week, Billy Idol delivered an exhilarating, power-packed set that over the course of two hours spanned a broad swath of his catalog, to the intense delight of an eager audience. Even before the show kicked off, the crowd pressed up against the stage because they didn’t just come to listen to the music – they came ready to engage Idol.
He wasted no time, launching immediately into megahits Cradle Of Love and Dancing With Myself. Still at the top of his game, Idol delivered on fans’ expectations, performed the beloved “Eyes Without A Face,” “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell.” He saved “Mony Mony” for the encore, and even relied on the audience’s participation for it! Without exaggeration, I can report feeling the entire floor pulsating as his fans danced & sang every note with him.
Idol’s set spanned the diverse body of work built over the course of a storied career, from his Generation X days to his solo work. Whether ballads – such as Sweet 16 – or power anthems – such as Rebel Yell, Idol executed each perfectly, once again reminding us why he was one of the first and biggest stars on MTV in the days when it was music television.
And Idol’s long-time collaborator Steve Stevens – just WOW! I’ve never seen Stevens live, and it was an amazing experience. The range of styles, the tones he’s able to coax from his guitar collection, the showmanship – on display just a few feet in front of us – was otherworldly! Whether it’s a soulful, bluesy run, a flamenco-inspired attack, or speed picking behind his back and playing with his teeth, Stevens executes every note with style and attitude.
Gracious and grateful, Idol demonstrated a sincere appreciation for his fans throughout the night. He used every square inch of that stage, end to end, to make sure his fans could make eye contact. Idol would run up and down the stage and high-five his fans who were contorting their bodies to reach the stage and connect with him. And going beyond throwing out guitar picks and drumsticks, Idol kicked it up several notches when he personally handed out the set list to almost every single person in the front row; and then he threw signed Frisbee-like plates out to fans beyond arm’s reach. The band was just as attentive, with solos from each. And just as Idol, all band members exuded joy, clearly happy to be performing and grateful to the fans – long time bassist Stephen McGrath, rhythm guitarist Billy Morrison, drummer Erik Eldenius, and keyboardist Derek Sherinian.
Idol was, and is, a superstar – and whether you’re nostalgic for the 70’s/80’s, or are part of the newer generation of music fans: catch his show to bask in the thoroughly enjoyable and energizing experience that it is.