REVIEW: Billy Idol shows off his age in short River Cree concert
It’s a shame that Mythbusters isn’t running on the telly these days, because if there’s one popular fabrication that needs to be debunked, it’s that being a sexagenarian has absolutely nothing to do with sex. All they have to do is trot out Billy Idol as Exhibit A – and silence those age-shaming social media trolls.
The 63-year-old Idol’s return to the spotlight at River Cree Resort & Casino on Tuesday night drew nearly 2,000 devotees hankering for a glimpse of how this British ‘80s alternative-rock-crossover golden boy has fared over the years. In a phrase: not bad. Idol might not be pumping iron as much as he is a canister of Aveeno to hide a few crevices these days, but he’s certainly weathered post-stardom erosion better than most of his peers. Kicking off with Cradle of Love – one of his last hits, from 1990 – before launching into the more recognizable songs like Dancing With Myself, Idol proved he could still belt them out.
Right on cue with the opening chords of Flesh For Fantasy, he unbuttoned his blazer and shirt to sport a chest with abs that were hardly classic washboard, but there was nary a trace of billowing Michelin Man contours, either. He still has those shimmying onstage moves, which he continues to accent with his trademark scowl. His voice hasn’t fared as well. While those vocals can slice neatly through most of his danceable hits, Idol faced limitations in more ballad-oriented pieces like Eyes Without a Face, and even his take on the Doors’ L.A. Woman. Trying to mitigate those gravelly pipes on less physical numbers he came across at times like Jim Morrison on helium. His banter was nearly unintelligible, like a rusty chainsaw trying to cut through concrete, an annoyance made worse by muddy quality.
Facing fewer obstacles was longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, a vastly underrated six-stringer who did much of the heavy lifting as he led a five-piece outfit through extended variations of Idol hits. A real showstopper was his own work, Dementia, a blend of classic rock and Flamenco with a few Led Zeppelin licks thrown in to heighten audience interest. The interlude gave Idol a break and an opportunity to squeeze his bod into one of at least three outfit changes throughout the night.
Disappointingly, it wasn’t a particularly long night that closed with Rebel Yell. Saved for the encore was his biggest hit, White Wedding, in a 12-song set that barely lasted an hour. It’s doubtful that his fans minded. Many of them were people in their 40s and 50s who wisely refrained from digging out those parachute pants and big-shouldered power suits from the past.
But an evening that’s shorter than what most arena acts deliver these days might raise the issue of durability among his detractors – providing plenty of ammo for those age-shaming youngsters online.
Photos supplied by River Cree
