AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH ADAM ANT
London Bloomsbury Theatre 26/9/2007
When Adam cancelled his top-of-the-bill spot on a Here And Now tour amid stories of breakdowns and replica guns, it looked like the curtain finally coming down on a glittering 80s pop career. But slowly he has been gathering himself and preparing for a return to public life. Last year, he supported the publication of his autobiography Stand And Deliver with book signings around the country and now in 2007, over 30 years since he first decided to be a pop star, he's back, if only for one night, on stage singing the hits and reading from said book.
The audience was a sell-out crowd of adoring faithful with some still loyally sporting the Jubilee era look and one rather disconcerting Joker lookalike in red glitter jacket, full make-up and manic grin (unable to believe he was about to see Adam in the flesh?) who patrolled the front of stage during the 30 minute hiatus before the eventual and much-delayed appearance. Some fans had travelled from Australia and the US, so the 30-minute delay was almost unbearable for some.
In many ways, this - his first live performance in front of an audience for almost 12 years, was quite sad. Mainly because, while looking amazing once again (especially for a remarkable 52 years old), he clearly hasn't fully recovered from his ordeals and was nervous as hell and intensely gratified by the positive response. He looks now super cool, all in black, cool apart from the oddly perched Trilby atop a headscarf, a belt and braces attempt to disguise the lack of 'coiff'. His faltering reading ability was affected by various nervous spoonerisms which eventually resulted in his offering the job to someone else if they wanted it. His voice and dance movement were OK for his own material, but he just doesn't have the pipes to attempt Matt Monroe's Sorry As I Leave You or Perry Como's Catch A Falling Star, both of which he included in an otherwise hits and favourites set.
However, the Como cover inspired an unscripted anecdote. He recalled making an acetate of Catch A Falling Star and doing some artwork for the middle, copying the demo version of Young Parisians as the B side/track and mailing it in 1977, together with a letter, to Bryan Ferry. "And you know what? The f**ker sent it back! But he enclosed a note that said 'Bonne chance!...BF'.
Music was provided by old school chum Dave Pash (other school chums were among the seated audience) who was clearly loving the attention and looking much more middle-aged and music teacher than the Prince Charming at his side. Using an acoustic guitar and an array of effect pedals, he manfully attempted to recreate the Marco licks and atmospheres while the audience helped out with handclaps in lieu of two full-size drum kits. As he warmed up, Adam found he remembered all the dance moves of yesteryear. And what is more he can still do them. In fact, it was clear that, here in front of a crowd, he could not resist the urge to do them repeatedly and enjoy the squeals of delight each time he did.
With just a couple of omissions, Adam gave people exactly what they wanted by way of the setlist. In fact, when called back by a baying crowd for a second encore, he had to give them one song for the second time due to lack of rehearsed material. No-one cared as it was just good to see him back, on stage and looking radiantly healthy and happy.
I think his re-emergence will continue but at a slow and self-managed pace. He may make that Here & Now bill-topping appearance yet.
SETLIST
Young Parisians
Never Trust A Man (With Egg On His Face)
Cleopatra
Catch a Falling Star (Perry Como cover)
Cartrouble
Softly As I Leave You (Matt Monro cover)
Antmusic
Dog Eat Dog
Stand And Deliver
Desperate But Not Serious
Vive le Rock
Wonderful
1st encore: Goody Two Shoes
2nd encore: Never Trust A Man (With Egg On His Face)
The audience was a sell-out crowd of adoring faithful with some still loyally sporting the Jubilee era look and one rather disconcerting Joker lookalike in red glitter jacket, full make-up and manic grin (unable to believe he was about to see Adam in the flesh?) who patrolled the front of stage during the 30 minute hiatus before the eventual and much-delayed appearance. Some fans had travelled from Australia and the US, so the 30-minute delay was almost unbearable for some.
In many ways, this - his first live performance in front of an audience for almost 12 years, was quite sad. Mainly because, while looking amazing once again (especially for a remarkable 52 years old), he clearly hasn't fully recovered from his ordeals and was nervous as hell and intensely gratified by the positive response. He looks now super cool, all in black, cool apart from the oddly perched Trilby atop a headscarf, a belt and braces attempt to disguise the lack of 'coiff'. His faltering reading ability was affected by various nervous spoonerisms which eventually resulted in his offering the job to someone else if they wanted it. His voice and dance movement were OK for his own material, but he just doesn't have the pipes to attempt Matt Monroe's Sorry As I Leave You or Perry Como's Catch A Falling Star, both of which he included in an otherwise hits and favourites set.
However, the Como cover inspired an unscripted anecdote. He recalled making an acetate of Catch A Falling Star and doing some artwork for the middle, copying the demo version of Young Parisians as the B side/track and mailing it in 1977, together with a letter, to Bryan Ferry. "And you know what? The f**ker sent it back! But he enclosed a note that said 'Bonne chance!...BF'.
Music was provided by old school chum Dave Pash (other school chums were among the seated audience) who was clearly loving the attention and looking much more middle-aged and music teacher than the Prince Charming at his side. Using an acoustic guitar and an array of effect pedals, he manfully attempted to recreate the Marco licks and atmospheres while the audience helped out with handclaps in lieu of two full-size drum kits. As he warmed up, Adam found he remembered all the dance moves of yesteryear. And what is more he can still do them. In fact, it was clear that, here in front of a crowd, he could not resist the urge to do them repeatedly and enjoy the squeals of delight each time he did.
With just a couple of omissions, Adam gave people exactly what they wanted by way of the setlist. In fact, when called back by a baying crowd for a second encore, he had to give them one song for the second time due to lack of rehearsed material. No-one cared as it was just good to see him back, on stage and looking radiantly healthy and happy.
I think his re-emergence will continue but at a slow and self-managed pace. He may make that Here & Now bill-topping appearance yet.
SETLIST
Young Parisians
Never Trust A Man (With Egg On His Face)
Cleopatra
Catch a Falling Star (Perry Como cover)
Cartrouble
Softly As I Leave You (Matt Monro cover)
Antmusic
Dog Eat Dog
Stand And Deliver
Desperate But Not Serious
Vive le Rock
Wonderful
1st encore: Goody Two Shoes
2nd encore: Never Trust A Man (With Egg On His Face)
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