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 Ottawa Sun file photo |
TORONTO - If the fast food kiosks at the Ex were a little slow last night, perhaps the lousy weather wasn't solely to blame. Next door at the Molson Amphitheatre, Billy Idol was showing why skipping the greasy grub is a good idea: The 49 year-old rocker's lean body was making women half his age melt in their plastic seats.
It's been a bit of a comeback year for the English singer. After almost 20 years out of the spotlight (save for a few near death reports), Idol's latest disc Devil's Playground is actually generating interest. His concert at the Koolhaus this past April was sold-out amidst much buzz while last night more than half the Amphitheatre was filled despite threat of rain. And why not? There aren't many aging punk rock sexpots out there to worship. Not ones with so many hits, anyway.
Idol's two-hour show was designed to maintain his stamina. Starting forcefully with the title track from Devil's Playground, he then jumped into his '80s classics Dancing With Myself and Flesh For Fantasy, playing them slowed down and sexed up. He peeled a layer of his tight clothing off with each tune, having fun with this strip show. His face lit up with as many grins as his wicked trademark snarls. (Although tossing frisbees in the middle of it kind of kills the mood.)
The first hour was all high-energy fun, with new songs mixed well into "time capsule" hits like White Wedding (during the intro for which he told a salacious tidbit about Madonna and him, circa 1982) and Eyes Without A Face. He even signed autographes in mid-lyric. But not even an Idol that age can keep it up forever: Soon came the extended guitar solo by his sidekick Steve Stevens, while Idol disappeared to change clothes and rejuvenate.
Stevens is a star in his own right and still an impressive player. But he also brought the show's vibe down with not one but three lengthy solos, including a particularly noodling one grafted onto the end of Ready, Steady, Go!, a fast-paced gem from Idol's former band Generation X that should have been a highlight.
He also hasn't written any great new riffs for Billy's new material, which sounds pretty generic glam metal compared to the snarling, smoldering older stuff. And with his golden tan, pink lips and puffy hair, he looks ready for a senior's cruise ship gig.
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After an underwhelming acoustic diversion, Idol finished on fire with Rebel Yell, Gen X's Kiss Me Deadly, Hot In The City and Mony, Mony. Billy Idol was indeed hot in the city last night. Between his rockin' hits and his naked hips, he made his crowd sweat enough to work off those curly fries.
What he played:
Devil's Playground
Dancing With Myself
Flesh For Fantasy
Body Snatchin'
White Wedding
Scream
Eyes Without A Face
Sweet Sixteen
Plastic Jesus
Sherri
Rat race
L.A. Woman
Evil Eye
World Comin' Down
Ready, Steady, Go!
Rebel Yell
Hot In The City
Kiss Me Deadly
Mony, Mony