The night started outside, in line on a cold, wet January evening outside of the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC. It was almost two hours before doors would open but this sold out show was the on first night of Adam Ant’s American tour… and it was general admission. It’s not often that Adam Ant tours the US and I wasn’t interested in watching this show from the back of the venue. I’ve been an Adam Ant fan for decades. My first purchase from Adam and the Ants was their second album, Kings of the Wild Frontier. Coincidentally, this tour is based on that album which marked the start of Adam’s longtime writing partnership with Marco Pironi. Adam and his band would be playing it from start to finish tonight and then, they would follow it up with another hour of some of Adam’s career favorites.
I remember having rock posters on my wall and some Adam Ant shot mixed in as well. I was always impressed by his look and image as well as the confidence he projected. Unfortunately, he never seemed to be where I was and I wouldn’t see him live until much later in life. I wasn’t going to fool myself into expecting the 1985 Adam Ant, looking like he’d just stepped out of the magazines, dancing around uncontrollably onstage with his signature, twisting and dipping moves. Adam Ant is now 62 years old. I was just happy to be able to see him at all.
The show opened with Los Angeles, all female, glitter rock band, The Glam Skanks! I just recently learned of these ladies who once played backup for Runaways singer, Cherie Currie and move within the musical circles of bands such as Alice Cooper. The guitarist, who goes by ‘V’ had her first onstage experience with Adam Ant when she was just a child. Her father, producer and musician Bruce Witkin, actually played on Adam Ant’s Wonderful. He’s also a member, along with Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper, of the famed Hollywood Vampires. These ladies have pulled the look and feel of the glam rock era of the 70’s into the modern-day with their loose and fun songs. They’re full of energy and not at all short of stage presence! They have a great time on stage and they make sure the audience has a great time, as well. They are definitely worth checking out.
It wasn’t long after the Glam Skanks ended their show that they were out in the lobby meeting fans…. And the line got long! They were definitely a hit with the crowd. Fortunately, I met up with them, briefly, before they went onstage and we shot a few photos. These women just fall right into place behind the camera. They are naturals, just floating from pose to pose.
The time came. I started getting excited as the intro music came up, the lights went down and band members scurried onto the stage but a few seconds later, when the spotlight popped on and Adam shot onto the stage my mouth just hung open. The man onstage was slim, in great shape, energetic, confident and I’m telling you honestly, you would have a hard time believing he was older than 30! He sang well, sounding perfect and the dance moves just poured out, accentuating the music. I could tell the crowd felt exactly the way I did, like we had somehow been transported back to 1985. I couldn’t see a wrinkle on his face (and I was in the second row)! He and his band were tight. I know they recently had a short tour of England but they sounded like they’d been rehearsing every beat for years. I’m sure that was partly due to Tom Edwards, Adam Ant’s musical director and guitarist who, just two days into this tour, would pass away.
I certainly wouldn’t use the word choreographed because there didn’t seem to be one move planned but these guys were all in perfect synch with one another onstage. Adam introduced the bands as Will on guitar, Joe on bass, Tom on guitar and 2 drummers Andy and Yola. They were extremely comfortable playing together. Not a note missed, not a beat skipped while Adam comfortably moved between them all onstage. The background vocals were even perfect! I really could not believe how great he looked and sounded. This was much more than I expected. The crowd around me loved it, cheering enthusiastically after every song then listening on the edge of their seats at Adam’s short story intros. They sang along when he threw a hand out to the crowd and seeming to melt into the music. No wonder almost every show of this theater tour has already sold out (and quickly).
The show was broken up into three parts
Set 1 (Kings of the Wild Frontier):
Dog Eat Dog
Antmusic
Feed Me to the Lions
Los Rancheros
Ants Invasion
Killer in the Home
Kings of the Wild Frontier
The Magnificent Five
Don’t Be Square (Be There)
Jolly Roger
Making History
The Human Beings
Set 2:
Beat My Guest
Christian D’ior
Stand and Deliver
Vive Le Rock
Cartrouble
Desperate But Not Serious
Zerox
Lady/Fall In
Goody Two Shoes
Prince Charming
Encore:
Red Scab
Get It On (T. Rex cover)
Physical (You’re So)
Adam seemed to be enjoying himself, as well. He not only sang each song, he performed it. The passion he has for the lyrics of these songs is easily noticed. Watching him perform felt more like an honor than simply entertainment. Adam Ant has had a long and successful career. He is the type of artist who performs for a reason much greater than a paycheck. It’s difficult to find a performer with his integrity. This tour was a blessing to his fans and there are no promises of another. There aren’t many dates left so if you have the opportunity, see him while you can!
Twitter: adamaofficial
Facebook: antmusicofficial
