Appearing on stage to an instrumental introduction so heavy it would not be surprising if Ozzy stepped from the shadows, our host, sporting typical Ant regalia, kicks off proceedings to elated whoops with early Jubilee demo ‘Plastic Surgery’. This ear-splitting cacophony of heavy bass, pummelling drums and frenetic guitar sets the pace for the evening as we are treated to a set which draws largely from the earlier part of the singer’s catalogue. It also serves as a reminder that before he donned ruffles and bewitched teenage school girls, Mr. Ant was a purveyor of dark brutal heavy punk.
‘Dog Eat Dog’, ‘Car Trouble’ (for which Adam dons a guitar) and the macabre ‘Ants Invasion’ continue in the same vein, before the first words of the night are uttered, introducing ‘Deutscher Girls’. This song also marks the arrival of two glam backing singers, one of whom is Georgina Baillie of Brand/Ross/Sachs-gate infamy. As the show progresses, Adam seems to become more engaged with proceedings; energised, playful and visibly enjoying the audience response. ‘Stand and Deliver’, ‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’ and ‘Goody Two Shoes’ are obvious highlights. Gig nadir (though a minor blip) is mid-’90s banal-arama-fest ‘Wonderful’, but the pace is promptly picked up once more with ‘Vince Taylor’, an homage to the former Playboys frontman, from Ant’s upcoming album.
The band blast out the tracks. The girls shimmy on and off stage in scantier outfits and it all seems far too early when he bids us farewell.
It is. Encore highlight, a dark menacing ‘Prince Charming’, precedes another tribute, to Marc Bolan this time, in the form of ‘Get It On’, before ‘Physical’ closes A-dam great night.