Written by Backstage Bruce
 |
| My Backstage Pass from that night |
The concert was sold-out. It had been quite a while since Billy Idol performed last in New York so the show brought out the people. The place was completely packed from the stage to the doors.
He looked absolutely incredible, as did all the musicians. The sound was tight, the stage was set up rockin' staircases on both sides, the lighting was engaging, almost hypnotic. The band was in complete sync. They rocked the house with all their tremendous electrifying energy.
The highlight of the evening was the song 'White Wedding'. It started off with just Billy Idol and the lead guitarist Steve Stevens seated. They've worked together forever. 'White Wedding' started off acoustically and as it progressed it got harder, faster and rocked louder with the rest of the band joining in and turning it up to 11. Billy & Steve- Hammerstein
Other crowd pleasing hits included 'Rebel Yell', 'Eyes Without A Face', 'Sweet Sixteen', 'Flesh For Fantasy' and 'Dancing With Myself'. One thing that was really cool to see were the solos. They are rarely done anymore so it was a welcome treat. Steve Stevens brought his, the riffs were electrifying. He was rocking a '80's hairstyle and wardrobe, absolutely fantastic.
Another great solo was by the drummer, Jeremy Colson. That dude was on fire! (When he is not beating the skins for Billy, he also plays drums for Steven Vai. He is in high demand.) It was his moment, he owned it and shined. Everyone loved it. A great video of him that night doing his solo: JEREMY
There were a few things that left the audience noticeably mumbling and grumbling as they exited. For one, Billy and the band performed the song 'L.A. Woman' but only half of it. They left out the whole "Mr. Mojo Rising, got to keep on riding." part. It was an abbreviated version, which left some commenting "Why bother?" The disappointment of the night was the set list. It happens from time to time that a band will leave off one of their hits, maybe two. It sucks but it happens, but to leave off three hits just hurts.
That's right, they didn't play 'Cradle Of Love', 'To Be A Lover', and the song I showed up to hear most 'Hot In The City'. 'Hot In The City' is on the greatest hits CD. One of the lines, in the song, is "A sweet summer night" also during the song he screams out "New York". The video for the song was filmed in New York City with The Empire State Building PROMINENTLY in the background.
Well here he is, in New York, on a hot summer night, three blocks away from The Empire State Building, if he doesn't play it tonight, then when? I expected and anticipated that song and thought when he screams out "New York" the place was going to erupt, but that didn't happen.
I was in the dressing room earlier with the catering crew. I saw the set list just laying there. I read it over and thought to myself, "That can't be it, that can't be the final, that must be the first draft." Turns out it was the final! Had I known, I would have gotten out a pen and written the songs in myself. Could you imagine the drama that would have ensued? I would have lost all access and never been able to work another show.
During the encore of 'Mony Mony', Billy strapped on a guitar and played a few riffs of 'Cradle Of Love' which just reminded all of us "Oh yeah, you didn't play that one either." The show comes to an end, he thanks the crowd and says "We'll see you next time." One couldn't help but think 'Uh, maybe, but only if you post your set list first.'
 |
| Billy Idol |
He looked absolutely incredible, as did all the musicians. The sound was tight, the stage was set up rockin' staircases on both sides, the lighting was engaging, almost hypnotic. The band was in complete sync. They rocked the house with all their tremendous electrifying energy.
The highlight of the evening was the song 'White Wedding'. It started off with just Billy Idol and the lead guitarist Steve Stevens seated. They've worked together forever. 'White Wedding' started off acoustically and as it progressed it got harder, faster and rocked louder with the rest of the band joining in and turning it up to 11. Billy & Steve- Hammerstein
 |
| Steve Stevens |
Other crowd pleasing hits included 'Rebel Yell', 'Eyes Without A Face', 'Sweet Sixteen', 'Flesh For Fantasy' and 'Dancing With Myself'. One thing that was really cool to see were the solos. They are rarely done anymore so it was a welcome treat. Steve Stevens brought his, the riffs were electrifying. He was rocking a '80's hairstyle and wardrobe, absolutely fantastic.
 |
| Jeremy Colson |
There were a few things that left the audience noticeably mumbling and grumbling as they exited. For one, Billy and the band performed the song 'L.A. Woman' but only half of it. They left out the whole "Mr. Mojo Rising, got to keep on riding." part. It was an abbreviated version, which left some commenting "Why bother?" The disappointment of the night was the set list. It happens from time to time that a band will leave off one of their hits, maybe two. It sucks but it happens, but to leave off three hits just hurts.
That's right, they didn't play 'Cradle Of Love', 'To Be A Lover', and the song I showed up to hear most 'Hot In The City'. 'Hot In The City' is on the greatest hits CD. One of the lines, in the song, is "A sweet summer night" also during the song he screams out "New York". The video for the song was filmed in New York City with The Empire State Building PROMINENTLY in the background.
Well here he is, in New York, on a hot summer night, three blocks away from The Empire State Building, if he doesn't play it tonight, then when? I expected and anticipated that song and thought when he screams out "New York" the place was going to erupt, but that didn't happen.
I was in the dressing room earlier with the catering crew. I saw the set list just laying there. I read it over and thought to myself, "That can't be it, that can't be the final, that must be the first draft." Turns out it was the final! Had I known, I would have gotten out a pen and written the songs in myself. Could you imagine the drama that would have ensued? I would have lost all access and never been able to work another show.
During the encore of 'Mony Mony', Billy strapped on a guitar and played a few riffs of 'Cradle Of Love' which just reminded all of us "Oh yeah, you didn't play that one either." The show comes to an end, he thanks the crowd and says "We'll see you next time." One couldn't help but think 'Uh, maybe, but only if you post your set list first.'
