Looking every bit the fearless revolutionary of the Punk/Post Punk era, the Adam Ant of today still burns with an unparalleled youthful enthusiasm and a burning desire to perform.
Photo : Steph McQuaid
They came from near and far, both the newly acquainted and the die-hard fans queuing round the block in the rain on a bleak November night at Middlesbrough Town Hall.
Despite the weather, spirits were not dampened. There was a definite buzz in the air for this, the 13th date on the UK leg of the Adam Ant ‘Friend or Foe’ tour.
As hard as it is to believe landmark album ‘Friend or Foe’ was released way back in 1982, no one would ever have guessed that the Dandy Highway Man has a career spanning over four decades.
Looking every bit the fearless revolutionary of the Punk/Post Punk era, the Adam Ant of today still burns with an unparalleled youthful enthusiasm and a burning desire to perform.
With an intensity that would rival any other Artist half his age (he’s 65) Adam bounded onto the stage with his five piece backing band which included two full drumkits/drummers for added auditory impact.
Belting through the initial album opening tracks, the crowd were enthral from the outset singing along and cheering on the impressive footwork of the spritely Kingpin of originality.
Ant’s vocals were undeniably on form during the first half of the album performance hitting his stride with ‘Goody Two Shoes’ to an uproarious reception.
What the original Cajun sounding quirkiness of the album may have lacked ‘live’ with the absence of sax or horn section, the presence of some excellent percussion and expert drumming maintained the original integrity and sound of ‘Friend or Foe’ Adam’s first solo album, and by his own admission the most challenging.
Pounding drums and twanging guitars aside, tracks like ‘Vive Le Rock’ maintained the ardent party vibe with Adam clearly jubilant that the fans were having just as much fun as he apparently was.
ADAM ANT Middlesbrough Town Hall
Photo : Steph McQuaid
Anecdotal stories were relayed, much to the delight of the audience who were pretty soon whipped up into another frenzy with the opening vocals and inimitable drum intro of ‘Prince Charming’.
It’s impossible not to be bowled over entirely by the guile poise and elegance, not to mention the stylish delivery of some of the most influential catchy and memorable chart releases in popular British music over the last forty or so years.
Adam Ant clearly knows how to execute his craft.
The album is played in its entirety, with fans young and old revelling in the jangly rockabilly and rousing atmosphere conjured up by some superb guitar work, sound and lighting – not to mention those unabating distinctive drums.
‘Puss In Boots’ proved one of the most pivotal moments of the night as some youngsters down the front row clapped and whooped with delight as their hero spun and whirled across the stage with a bouncy exuberance that defied all expectation.
‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’ was given its deserved outing, again to rapturous reception.
It was the illustrious ‘Stand And Deliver’ however that really stole the show and topped what was to be one of the finest performances we’ve yet seen delivered by this stalwart of the Punk/Post Punk era.
Antmusic is clearly alive and well in Teesside 2019!
If there were ever such a thing as the ‘Peter Pan of Punk’ – it would be the unforgettable Adam Ant.
You can catch Adam Ant as he continues the UK leg of his tour until Dec 12th 2019 before which he departs for the United States.