It’s not been too long since Billy Idol was last gracing British shores and sending the crowds into a frenzy of delight, but come 8:30 pm on wednesday night as guitar maestro Steve Stevens walked out you would have thought it was the first time in 20 years as the crowd went ballistic!

From the opening track 'Cradle of Love' working through classic after classic including 'Flesh for fantasy', 'Dancing with Myself' and of course 'White Wedding' the Manchester crowd were lapping this one up. The new track 'John Wayne' went down just as well as the classics, at which point after another classic, the brooding 'Sweet Sixteen' Steve Stevens showed just why he is regarded as one of the greatest guitar players ever with a 10 minute solo spot, guitar heaven!

'Eyes Without a Face' slowed the tempo and allowed for a quick wardrobe change for Billy then on with the show. By 'Blue highway' Billy was dripping sweat – none of the women seemed to mind him showing off his chest, just like the 80's hey day!

Steve Stevens was at ease playing his guitar behind his head, which he did on nearly every solo, of which there were plenty for him to show off his considerable talent.

The legendary Doors song 'LA Woman' was next up, a longtime classic cover by Billy who sings this song like he owns it, and you can certainly hear just how close Billy's style is to that of the late great Jim Morrison. This song was dedicated to the women of Manchester and became 'Manchester Women'.

Billy Idols voice was spot on throughout the show, he looks and sounds as he did 20 years ago and has aged far more gracefully than many of the stars from his era. The encore sent the crowd crazy once more with the classics 'Hot in the city' (Hot in Manchester and never have truer words been spoken!) 'Speed' and 'Mony Mony' finished off the 2 hour set – a set that really was up to the standards that we have come to expect from Billy, and reflected in the track listing of his latest compilation 'The Very Best Of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself'.

A hot night in the city, and from the reaction of the women in the crowd a few wet seats left behind in the Manchester Apollo tonight!

Setlist: Cradle of Love / Dance with Myself / Flesh for Fantasy / White Wedding / John Wayne / New Future Weapon / To Be a Lover / Sweet Sixteen / World Comin' Down / Eyes without a Face / Blue Highway / L.A. Women / Ready, Steady, Go / Rebel Yell / Hot in the City / Speed / Mony, Mony

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Review and Photography by Alexander Shaw