REVIEW: Adam Ant on fine form for his energetic audience of all ages

You know how sometimes in your life you are witness to something rather unique and special?

Well, this happened to me regarding Adam and the Ants.

It was at a gig at Jenkinson’s in 1980 when the crowd were waiting for the main act to go on stage. It was either Killing Joke or Theatre of Hate. Anyway, the DJ suddenly put on my favourite 7” record, Kings of the Wild Frontier.

To my astonishment all the punk types in the crowd made way for this group of burly six foot mohican-topped menacing geezers. These wannabe native Americans suddenly started doing a circular war-dance. I knew at that moment Adam Ant was destined for the big time.

Well, here we are 36 years later, still paying homage to one Stuart Goddard, aka Adam Ant.

This evening’s proceedings were kicked off by a newly formed rock-ska-punk combo from Birmingham called UK Feds, who were obviously inspired by The Clash and The Specials.

The UK Feds featured tracks from their new Livin’ In Anger EP and went down well with the crowd judging by the amount of T-shirts sold.

Moving on to the main act tonight, Adam wass joined by five bandmates, including the obligatory two drummers who were put on pedestals to emphasise their importance.

Adam sported his trademark Hussars tunic, black tri-corner hat over his bandana and black make-up that one Johnny Depp seems to have procured for Captain Jack Sparrow.

But tonight I have to say that the 61-year-old Londoner was well on form, parading around the Brighton Centre stage as though he owned it.

Surprisingly, Adam finally addressed the audience after he and his band had completed the whole of the 12-track Kings of the Wild Frontier album.

I was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to say ‘hello’ or ‘thank You’.

I suppose he wanted to put the album to bed and then move onto the remaining songs released around that period.

The packed crowd of varying ages and styles (from punks to grannies) virtually filled the whole concert hall (as they had previously done at my last Adam Ant encounter at the Brighton Centre back in December 1981) and were well up for it – singing, dancing, clapping, chanting.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable 26-song set.

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