It’s been a while since Billy Idol played Pittsburgh. Almost 22 years, in fact.
But it didn’t take very long Monday night to remind the sold-out crowd at UPMC Events Center in Moon Township what they had been missing.
Idol ripped through 14 songs (plus an extended guitar solo from Steve Stevens) in a 90-minute set that spanned most of his 46-year career. The 67-year-old veteran punk rocker’s vocals sounded strong through the night as he sauntered, shuffled and strutted across the stage.
When the band started the pop punk classic “Dancing With Myself,” the crowd jumped to its feet and stayed there the rest of the night. “Cradle of Love” roared before the more new wave-y “Flesh For Fantasy.”
Idol sprinkled in three songs from his most recent EPs, offering some insight into the meaning behind those songs. (He also dropped a hint that a new nine-song album would be coming in the future.) “Bitter Taste” is about a motorcycle accident that nearly cost him his leg 33 years ago in 1990 — “I’m so glad it’s that far away,” he added. “Running from the Ghost,” a song about addiction, was dedicated to his grandchildren’s godfather, who recently died of an overdose. And 2022’s “Cage” is a “coronavirus anthem,” according to Idol.
A newer Billy Idol song, “Cage,” or at least a part of it pic.twitter.com/DpRCh5PbQL
— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) May 2, 2023
But the majority of the show was spent on Idol’s hits.
Stevens’ strong guitar work propelled the band through the night. He flashed a big smile as the “heavier” guitar parts hit in “Eyes Without a Face,” and later nailed a solo on “Blue Highway” that featured guitar work behind his head and with his teeth. His solo spotlight featured a mountain of smoke, as well as snippets of Led Zeppelin’s “Over the Hills and Far Away” and “Stairway to Heaven.” (After a little bit of “Stairway,” he abruptly stopped and shook his hand “no” in a lighter moment.)
“Mony Mony” fired up the crowd, which added its not-fit-for-print, call-and-response lyrics to the Tommy James and the Shondells cover. (Check out this interesting article on how that got started.)
Another Generation X song, “One Hundred Punks” led into “Blue Highway,” before closing the regular set with Idol’s anthemic “Rebel Yell.” Idol threw his shirt into the crowd after this, one of several wardrobe changes of the night.
After a quick break, Idol and the band returned for an encore of “Hot in the City” — with the obligatory “Pittsburgh” reference instead of “summer” in some spots — followed by “White Wedding.” Afterwards, Idol played emcee as he introduced the band, with his trademark grin on full display, soaking in the applause.
This was only the fourth time Idol played the Pittsburgh area in the last 39 years, according to setlist.fm — Jan. 31, 1984, at the Stanley Theatre; Sept. 12, 1990, at Star Lake Amphitheater; and June 29, 2001, at the I.C. Light Amphitheatre.
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Forgive openers Kelsy Karter & the Heroines if they didn’t recognize Moon Township on their tour itinerary — “I’ve never heard of this place,” said singer Kelsey Karter, a native of New Zealand. The band dealt with some sound issues that didn’t let Karter’s voice shine on songs like “Liquor Store on Mars,” “Cover You,” “God Knows I’ve Tried” and “Devil on My Shoulder.”
A stripped-down cover of Heart’s “Alone” allowed fans to get a better feel of Karter’s powerful singing voice.
Kelsey Karter & the Heroines at UPMC Events Center pic.twitter.com/2MsjNlrCDw
— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) May 2, 2023
