The punk rocker put on a “White Wedding” for fans
Billy Idol bounded onto the stage at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Friday night (Aug 22nd) with his new single “Still Dancing,” a guitar-and-drum driving meta-take on his decades of giving it his all for the fans.
Throughout the 100-minute, 16-song set, Idol sang and moved as though untouched by the hands of time. His on-stage energy was twice that of some performers half his age. His hair still spiky and his pants still painted-on tight, Idol comes off as the living embodiment of the 80s, preserved for decades in leather.
“Mony Mony” was a mid-set favorite, with the crowd screaming that infectious refrain of “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” to drown out the man himself. Two of Idol’s early-career hits with Generation X made the setlist: the jumpy “Ready Steady Go,” and a grooving version of “Dancing with Myself” in the encore.
Idol’s stage set included a row of amps with his logo and a large LED wall. As he is wont to do on stage, Idol opened his all-black ensemble to reveal a surprisingly buff and taught physique. Perhaps it lets him move more easily. Or he just does it to drive the ladies crazy.
With Idol, as always, is his longtime collaborator Steve Stevens. Wearing his signature mane of hair that just barely covers his eyes and a sparkly jacket, Stevens kicked off “Flesh for Fantasy” with its signature lick, to large cheers from the crowd. A bit later, Stevens played a classical style solo, which I’m 95% certain contained snippets of a favorite of mine, “Malagueña.”
So important is his contribution to Idol’s career, Stevens was nominated for the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Idol. It was their first time to be nominated, but, unjustly, Idol and Stevens were not inducted.
A standout for its difference in style to Idol’s no-holds-barred catalogue was his cover of “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” a 70’s hit for an artist named Rose Royce. He performed it as a duet with Kim Corroy, her stunning voice harmonizing well with Idol’s. Stevens added a passionate guitar lick underneath.
The cover of “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” was recorded for the Rebel Yell album. Idol told the crowd he shelved it after learning Madonna would be releasing her own version. The original Idol recording, with a new solo by Stevens, was added to Rebel Yell Extended, released last year
Of course, “White Wedding” closed the night on a high note. Literally. Idol can still hit the tune’s signature wailing high note with seeming ease. It sent the Merriweather crowd into an absolute frenzy. They keep wanting “More, more, more,” and it seems that Billy Idol has endlessly “more” to give.
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