Adam Ant at the Assembly – Leamington Spa

November 13th 2011, The Assembly, Leamington Spa. When I was eleven I was a huge Adam and the Ants fan, but naturally my parents weren’t going to let me go to a gig so I never had the chance to see either the group, or Adam as a solo artist, live. The current UK tour gave me, and what I imagine a lot of the audience, the chance to do just that… and the first thing that hit me as I arrived at the Assembly was that the hall was packed (and I later discovered sold out). The venue is a wonderful place for gigs and the sound is always superb.. the flamboyant decor was also a perfect setting for the evening’s resident.

It has to be said that by the end it was not as packed as it was, I imagine largely due to the sheer number of the older back catalogue played (a large number from the Dirk era, as well as many B-sides that I hadn’t heard since my extensive tape collection followed my turntable into the loft). For me however, and from looking around me for most of the other people there, this was a bonus and what made the whole evening such a blast.

Much of the Ant sound was inherited from Adam’s beginnings in Punk and the years have done nothing to diminish his voice and the energy on stage (hard to believe he’s pushing 60, although it has to be said there wasn’t much dancing). The band behind him, “The Good, The Mad And The Lovely Posse”, reproduced the sound of the band perfectly, especially the trademark dual drummers.

Just one song from the forthcoming album, “Adam Ant is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter” (due January 2012) was played (Vince Taylor), which from the sound of it is getting back to his roots, so that’s something to look forward to!

A highlight? It would be difficult to pick just one, Kick and Cartrouble were always up there for me and they didn’t disappoint, but the Lady/Fall In combo was magnificent. It would have been nice to have another track from Wonderful, for me a frequent play, but then again this setlist is more about his beginnings and so the title track was the only nod to his recent past.

All in all an amazing evening that brought back many happy memories.

The tour continues across the UK until the end of January, Adam’s official web site is at http://www.adam-ant.net/

Set List:

Intro
Plastic Surgery
Dog Eat Dog
Beat My Guest
Kick!
Cartrouble
Zerox
Deutscher Girls
Stand and Deliver
Puss’n Boots
Kings of the Wild Frontier
Wonderful
Vince Taylor
Whip in My valise
B-Side Baby
Antmusic
Cleopatra
Never Trust A Man (With Egg on his Face)
Goody Two Shoes
Vive le Rock
Christian D’or
Lady/Fall in

Encore:

Prince Charming
Get it On
Physical