REVIEW: Adam Ant is a friend, definitely not a foe
Photo: Adam Ant is currently bringing his ANTHEMS — The Singles Tour to audiences in the United States. Photo courtesy of Michael Sanderson / Provided by Chrome PR with permission.
RIDGEFIELD, CONN. — New wave legend Adam Ant is an original. Period.
The musician has been bringing his punk-ified rock to the masses for decades, and the latest leg of his U.S. tour showcases his continued mastery of showmanship. On July 22, at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Ant and his exemplary band plowed through nearly two hours of music, offering the packed house a motley variety of hits and rarities. Each and every song was delivered in a way that was trademark Ant, an iconoclast if ever there were one.
Wearing all black, with a few makeup marks on his face and a characteristic hat atop his head, Ant took the stage at 9 p.m. with rousing renditions of the songs from the 1980s that put him on the musical map. Included among the selections were crowd favorites “Vive Le Rock,” “Dog Eat Dog” and “Friend or Foe.”
However, this was no mere trip down memory lane. Ant offered bits and pieces from his entire career, including early songs and later efforts.
One of Ant’s best performances of the night was “Apollo 9,” a high-energy ditty that uses the refrain “dress it up” to dizzying effect. The song proved to the audience that Ant has not lost any of his style, vocal power or stage presence since his days with Adam and the Ants a few decades ago.
Seeing Ant on stage is like seeing a chameleon change colors. He struts around in a style reminiscent of Mick Jagger and Joe Strummer. His hand gestures accentuate his lyrical barbs, and his gazes out into the audience instigate clapping and reflection. He has this one move where he contorts his body toward the audience, almost as if posing like a model, and then he holds the position for a few seconds. The band members continue their rocking in the background, but Ant is caught, like a mosquito in amber, in a trance, waiting for a response from the crowd that will unleash him from this carbonite stance.
Other selections included the classic “Antmusic,” the rocking “Desperate Not Serious,” the memorable “Cartrouble” and the infectious “Zerox.” The energy slowed down for a bit with “Young Parisians,” but the audience didn’t seem to mind. They remained standing for the entire set.
Ant offered a few thank you’s and the occasional introduction to a song, but this was not a “Stories With Adam” session. This was a rock show. Remember what those were like?
The band members who backed up Ant were spot on and having fun with their charismatic frontman. There were two guitarists (Will Crewdson and A.P. Leach), a bassist (Joe Holweger) and two (yes two!) drummers (Andy Woodard and Jola). The drummers, in particular, added a palpable verve to the proceedings, and they never missed a beat.
“Strip” rounded out the main set, along with a spirited performance of “B-Side Baby” and “Stand and Deliver,” one of Ant’s most well-known tunes. A four-song encore, including “Goody Two Shoes” and “Physical (You’re So),” cemented the evening in the memorable category.
Ant, an MTV staple for many years, is making his rounds of the United States on his worldwide ANTHEMS — The Singles Tour, which has been going strong for many months. Prima Donna opened the show. Future dates include gigs in Los Angeles, San Diego and Seattle, among other cities.
This Antmusic has never sounded better, and these anthems deserve to be heard.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Adam Ant’s ANTHEMS — The Singles Tour continues with a string of dates on the West Coast. Click here for more information and tickets.
