Posts Tagged ‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’

The first tour Adam Ant embarked on earlier in the year was a bold step back into the limelight for the once troubled star.  There was no doubt that the showman Ant of old was back, but there was just the hint of the fragile figure beneath, you could occasionally glimpse the confidence was still delicate.  However that was then and this is now, the current Winter tour ahead of next year’s new studio album sees Adam match fit and cutting a dashing highwayman once more.  

Opening with the now customary ‘Plastic Surgery’, Adam prowls the stage with a heady mix of confidence and arrogance, right from the start he is clearly revelling in his position back on stage.

I raved about it last time and I’ll do it again, the double drum assault is nothing short of spectacular.  For any doubters, second track in is ‘Dog Eat Dog’ and far from the pop sounds of the original single, live it is blistering, a call to arms for all of the Ant People.

Surprisingly, nestled amongst the Dirk and Kings classics, Adam introduces one song as ‘about my favourite thing, pussy’ as the band break into a sleazy rock version of the previously overtly camp ‘Puss n Boots’.  The sweet 80s production of the original is stripped away to reveal a slutty little number underneath.  ‘Ants Invasion’ also gets a very welcome run through, the throbbing bass and eerie guitar line are even more sinister than on record.

Perhaps the clearest indication of Adam’s growing confidence was the introduction of a brand new track.  Ahead of the new album next year, we are treated to ‘Vince Taylor’ and if this is representative of what is to come, then the comeback will be more than fleeting.  Pitched somewhere between the spiky new wave of ‘Dirk Wears White Sox’ and the tribal pop of ‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’ it is a full blooded Adam Ant track,  greeted with warm approval, Adam wryly mocks us with ‘you may not like it now but you will’, playfully quoting his own lyrics.

Clearly not a fan of the X-Factor and shows of their ilk, ‘Whip In My Valise’ is bookended with barbs aimed at Cowell and co. and in a passing imitation of the high trousered one he snarls ‘I’m sorry Adam, you’re just not what we’re looking for’ to which the crowd cheer.  Presumably in support rather than agreement.

Wearing his own influences on his sleeve, the encore includes back to back covers of T-Rex’s ‘Get It On’ and ‘20^th Century Boy’ and few can argue that Adam cuts a convincing Bolan-esque dandy.

‘Physical (You’re So)’ brings a triumphant night to a close and as the final notes ring out, Adam slinks off the stage without a word, in true Ant fashion.

Earlier in the year Adam went out on the road to reclaim his mantle as King Of The Wild Frontier, I think you can consider this tour his coronation. Vive La Rock.

Jules