Live Review: ADAM ANT

The mainly Generation X audience at the decadent Astor were bustling with excitement to catch the first glimpse of the their 1980's swashbuckling New Wave hero Adam Ant. Born as Stuart Goddard in 1950's London, he rose to stardom with his band Adam & The Ants and scored numerous top ten hits in the UK, three number ones and even a Grammy nomination for the international hit album Kings Of The Wild Frontier. With the success of Ant's 2010/11 revival tours in the UK, it was now Australia's turn to experience the magnetism of the original pirate of pop. From Ant's own Blue Black Hussar record label, Georgie Girl & Her Poussez Posse kicked off the action with Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love, which received generous applause. Ironically, the Posse expressed all the charisma and stage presence of Palmer's abstract band from the 1986 video, appearing rather artificial and robotic. That said, the selection of accessible alternative rock songs were performed well, delivered with seductive vocals from Gerogie. Adam Ant's newly formed band The Good, The Mad & The Lovely Posse sported two drummers, lead guitar and bass player who all provided backing vocals at various points. Wearing his iconic pirate attire – complete with knee-high boots, navel pants, a dashing bicorne “cocked hat” with feathers and painted face – Ant was welcomed with immense applause. Opening with an early career demo track Plastic Surgery, it was immediately obvious that Ant had not lost any of his captivating stage presence or sex appeal, and the women in the audience voiced their appreciation at any given opportunity. Moving straight into songs from the early albums, Kings Of The Wild Frontier and Dirk Wears White Sox, it took until the eighth track for the distinctive intro of Stand & Deliver to ring out. A song that entered the UK charts and remained there for five weeks, this was just one of the many classic hits that the fans remembered most and sang along to in unison. The punkish sounds and strength of Ant's vocals were remarkable, the music style and delivery was top rate and easily could be considered contemporary rock if it wasn't for the fact most songs were two decades old. After 24 songs, the band retired back stage, only to shortly return for two encores, which included the sing-along favourite Prince Charming and two T Rex covers; Get It On and 20^th Century Boy. Ending with a B-side Physical (You're So), some vocal screams and a few final pouts to the crowd, it was all over in a classic finish to a well-rounded, noble show.