The show was sold out and Billy Idol’s legion of fans were lined up down the boardwalk well before the doors would open and two and a half hours before the show would even begin. Fans were clad in leather, lace, and ripped T-shirts with the classic plethora of safety pins pointing all directions. Hair was teased and feathered with Aqua Net and eye shadow blanketed the eyes on the women – and some men. The crowd had it all. They were ready for a party.
Billy Idol’s band walked out on to the dimly lit stage at 8:15. First to hit the stage was Erik Eldenius (drums), followed by Stephen McGrath (bass), Billy Morrison (guitar) and the legendary Steve Stevens (lead guitar). They started playing Generation X’s Ready Steady Go. This classic, pre MTV fist pumper would set the tone for the night. Billy came out a minute later, smiling, sneering, snarling and waving to his fans. He was ready to go and so was the audience. Die-hard fans sang along to this first song and everyone broke into hysterics when Steve Stevens started playing the intro lick to “Dancing with Myself.”
“Pumping on Steel” and the dramatic, flashy guitar driven hit, “Flesh for Fantasy” followed with more fist pumping action from both Billy and the audience. Mid set, the band mixed in a few new tunes, “Postcards from the Past”, “Love and Glory”, along with 1983’s “Do Not Stand in the Shadows”. Another new track, “Ghost in My Guitar” followed.
Next up was the classic tale of losing love, which found Billy pining the lyrics of “Sweet Sixteen”. This brought the crowd, who was hanging on every word, to sway side to side and hold up their lit-cell phones as makeshift lighters. This provided a nice segue into the gentle introduction to “Eyes Without a Face”. Steve Stevens’ guitar solo turned the solemn mood around with sledgehammer force, all while setting off pyrotechnic leads behind Idol’s menacing mid-song rant.
The guitar-party continued with Idols’ take on the Doors’ classic “LA Woman”. The band came forward to the very front of the stage, stood on the monitors and got as close to the audience as possible. While Stevens, Morrison and McGrath pointed their guitars to the Gods – Idol got the crowd going with more fist pumps, clapping and snarls. Although a classic song for any band to cover, Idol and Co. made this one their own with some alternate lyrics, a heavier mix of brilliant dual guitar leads and caveman-drums. This could easily have been used as a number in an encore.
Another highlight of the set was the traditional guitar solo. However, Steve Stevens’ added a nice twist to the cliché; melt your face and blow the audience’s eardrums out-style. His roadie passed him an acoustic guitar on which he demonstrated that he could do more that play power chords and overdriven leads. He showed his Classical/Spanish style prowess with a beautiful mix of melodic and speedy licks before giving a nod to Led Zeppelin with a tease of “Over the Hills and Far Away” and a wink of “Stairway to Heaven”. The crowd loved it.
The band, including a shirtless Idol, returned to the stage while applauding Stevens’ showcase. They band then kicked into a couple Generation X songs. They ripped into the Punkabilly “King Rocker”, a fun and energetic ode to Elvis Presley and sing-along “Love Like Fire”. The end of the set was revved up with the rockin’ “Blue Highway” and fan-favorite “Rebel Yell”. The band left the stage waving, smiling and pumping their fists in celebration. The crowd immediately began screaming and begging for more.
Taking just a few minutes to gather themselves, Idol and Stevens returned to greet the crowd. Stevens had his acoustic guitar and jumped into playing the opening licks to one of Idol’s most recognizable tunes, “White Wedding”. Although “White Wedding” rocked the house, everyone knew the party would not be complete without hearing the Tommy James classic “Mony Mony”. This song, with Idol’s fans singing the now classic alternate lyrics during its chorus, brought the show to a new level. Billy Idol and his band came to Hampton Beach to have fun and put on a killer show for their fans. They did not disappoint.
SET LIST
Ready Steady Go (Generation X)
Dancing with Myself (Generation X)
Pumping On Steel
Flesh for Fantasy
Postcards from the Past (new)
Love and Glory (new)
Do Not Stand in the Shadows
Ghost in My Guitar (new)
Sweet 16
Eyes Without a Face
LA Woman (the Doors)
Guitar Solo
King Rocker (Generation X)
Love Like Fire (Generation X)
Blue Highway
Rebel Yell
(ENCORE)
White Wedding
Mony Mony (Tommy James & the Shondells)
