Now what can I say about Adam Ant. Well, Adam Ant (born Stuart Leslie Goddard) is a London Lad who is known for his music and artistic flair. His music and artistic talents spans over three decades plus some more. He has made an outstanding contribution to art within music and has influenced many generations with his work. His style is innovative and his good looks have had many go weak at the knees (including myself).
Adam Ants musical career began in the late seventies his work was a major influence in the Punk movement. Dirk Wears White Sox was Adam and the Ants debut studio album. The original line up of Adam and the Ants was Stuart Goddard, Dave Barbarossa, Matthew Ashman and Leigh Gorman. Dave, Matthew and Leigh went on and formed Bow Wow Wow at the suggestion of Malcolm McLaren.
Adam has just finished a four-day stint at the Islington Assembly Hall where he was performing Dirk Wears White Sox with a new line up. Every performance had a different line up of support acts; I was present on the final night. The venue was a grade two-listed building that oozed charm and character. It was a medium size venue that was fitting for this event.
The Sunday evening line-up included Viva le Pink and the Caezers. Viva le Pink started the evening with an electric performance; they were raunchy and radiated sex appeal. Viva le Pink is a six-piece line-up that delivered a seamless, pink- hot rockabilly sound with a seam of wild rhythm n blues, much to the delight of the audience. They are certainly a band to watch out for. The Caezers I can describe as a vintage styled, thumping rockabilly band with a smash of American garage surf. They write their own stuff another watch this space band. The crowd was certainly buzzing after the two support acts had finished.
Adam was fashionably late starting his set but the crowd didn’t seem to mind. The band walked on to a darkened stage and the crowd started to roar with support and what can only be described as adoration for Adam as he walked on to the stage. He was dressed in black leather donning a hippy headscarf, he certainly had charisma his current look is somewhat reminiscent of Gene Vincent with a gypsy twist. He performed his seminal album Dirk Wears White Sox to a crowd that was in awe of his presence. His voice barely faltered throughout the whole set, and it was a long set. The band was brilliant and they played impeccably together Adam and the band was a perfect marriage. Snaking around the stage and strongly interacting with the audience, the man himself wasn’t that wild jumping jack of yesteryear, but all grown up with a new raw edge. After the Dirk Wears White Sox set, there was a sensuous and beautifully delivered acoustic medley that comprised of the songs S.E.X., Picasso Vistita El Planeta De Los Simios, and Vampires. The house totally rocked to his classic hit Kings of the Wild Frontier and Dog Eat Dog, I couldn’t help but jump about along with the rest of the house. Although some notes were slight off key it didn’t matter it added to that rocking raw edge and the audience didn’t care one bit. There were the two obligatory encores and when it came to Whip My Valise the crowd went crazy, it was the highlight of the evening for many.
It was a great night and people left smiling and happy to have spent an evening with a man that they so obviously adored. I have to say that I went home suitably deafened and entirely happy. How I stopped myself from jumping on that stage, I don’t know.
Adam has been openly criticized by some regarding his mental health. But let me tell you this man champions the fight against the stigma associated with mental health disorders and is one of the few stars that is open about his demons. In my mind that makes him worthy of being on this blog. He is a top man with amazing talents.
Adam is true rocker and his music speaks volumes and long may he continue to reign. Huzza for Adam.
Aeon 