22 April 2014 (gig)
22 April 2014
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 dummers.
'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.
Photo credit: Steve White
copyright 2014
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