Adam Ant at the Roundhouse

Christmas came early this year, as 2,000 fans experienced the return of the “dandy highwayman” himself. Following the success of his Anthems: The Singles Tour globally throughout 2017, Adam Ant decided on one final show to end the year, and sold out Camden’s Roundhouse three months in advance.

Taking to the stage in his classic leather-adorned attire, he launched into Dog Eat Dog, much to the joy of the crowd. The singer’s voice remains as faultless as ever, it’s hard to believe he’s 63. And his stage presence is truly remarkable, jumping up onto speakers, performing subtle tricks with his mic stand, and dancing as though he were in the music video to each song he’s performing.

The set was filled with endless hits, and B-sides, and the the musician liked to tell little anecdotes about how the tracks came to be, such as his dad’s car breaking down for Cartrouble. It was incredible to see a room filled with so many people shouting the words along with him, not that his vocals needed much support, and the typically whimsical lyrics proved most entertaining during Apollo 9 and Young Parisians, with Adam Ant and the concertgoers alike putting on an awful accent for the latter.

It goes without saying that the crowd’s best reactions were for the all-time favourites, such as Kings of the Wild Frontier, Prince Charming, and Stand and Deliver. It would have been very easy for Ant to lay off and let the audience sing the song for him, but instead he showcased his endless skills, playing his guitar and singing with the adoring fans, creating an interaction that felt humbling, and powerful, as the cries of “Ridicule is nothing to be scared of” echoed around the room.

With an encore that included the ever-brilliant Goody Two Shoes and Physical (You’re So), it was the perfect end to an impressive evening. 40 years after beginning his journey into punk stardom, Adam Ant remains one of the finest showmen around, and playing an effortless two-hour set that still left the Roundhouse begging for more proves that his ability is timeless.

Naomi Penn
Photo: Michael Sanderson

For further information and future events visit Adam Ant’s website here.

Watch the video for Prince Charming here: