Billy Idol
OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
Niagara Falls, Ontario
May 5, 2023
Billy Idol’s show at the OLG Stage on May 5th was one of the most anticipated shows to come to Niagara Falls. But first, warming up the crowd was New Zealand singer-songwriter Kelsey Karter, who played an unplanned acoustic set when her band, The Heroines, was unable to cross the border to come into Canada. Her bass player, Tommy Gent, switched roles for the night to accompany Karter on guitar.
After a handful of songs, guitarist Steve Stevens (from Idol’s band) came out to play with Karter on her last two songs which included a powerful rendition of Alone by Heart.
After a short break, it wasn’t long before British punk rock icon Billy Idol came out and, right away, got the crowd on their feet with Dancing With Myself, followed by Cradle of Love and Flesh For Fantasy.
Along with many noticeable hits from Idol’s career, newer material was added to the setlist with the songs Bitter Taste from The Roadside EP (2021) in addition to Cage and Running From the Ghost from The Cage EP (2022). The pre-solo song One Hundred Punks, from Idol’s time with Generation X, was also added to the setlist.
Midway through the night, Idol’s longtime guitarist, Steve Stevens, did a guitar solo in which he incorporated the Led Zeppelin classics Over the Hills and Far Away and Stairway To Heaven. The rest of the band includes Billy Morrison (rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals), Erik Eldenius (drums), Paul Trudeau (keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Stephen McGrath (bass, backing vocals).
At age 67, Idol shows no signs of idling He was full of energy doing his trademark fist pump and sneer throughout the night and telling stories. He did some clothing changes as well and looked like he was still having fun after all these years. Blue Highway and Rebell Yell ended his main set and for his encore, he performed Hot In the Cty and White Wedding.
This particular night was extra special. It was Stevens’ birthday and after White Wedding, a cake was brought out onto the stage and Idol led the crowd to sing Happy Birthday.
Most of his hits were covered but missing from the setlist were songs like To Be A Lover, Catch My Fall, and Sweet Sixteen. But no one seemed to complain as there was enough there to satisfy any Billy Idol fan.
Setlist:
1. Dancing With Myself
2. Cradle of Love
3. Flesh for Fantasy
4. Cage
5. Speed
6. Bitter Taste
7. Eyes Without a Face
8. Steve Stevens – guitar solo with Over the Hills and Far Away (Led Zeppelin) / Stairway To Heaven (Led Zeppelin)
9. Mony Mony
10. Running from the Ghost
11. One Hundred Punks (Generation X cover)
12. Blue Highway
13. Rebel Yell
Encore:
14. Hot in the City
15. White Wedding
All photos by Joel Naphin
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