Adam Ant made his triumphant return to San Francisco on a wet Tuesday night at the historic Fillmore in support of the 2015 re-mastered anniversary release of the classic Kings of the Wild Frontier. After extensive touring in Europe, the enthusiasm has clearly followed him across the pond and by the time the doors opened at 7 PM, the line to get in was already down the block and around the corner.
The evening kicked off with an opening set from Southern California’s very own Glam Skanks. Equal parts New York Dolls and The Runaways, it’s hard to know if the “skanks” label applies, but no doubt there was plenty of “glam” to be had. Frontwoman Ali Cat ruled the stage, fringes a-flutter as the band tore through a brief but well-received set.
9 PM rolled around and Adam Ant and his band triumphantly took the stage to his intro music which visibly fueled the already anxious crowd, many who had come in Ant-inspired costumes. But when the dual drum kits finally hit the thundering opening beats to “Dog Eat Dog,” the sold out crowd flat-out went nuts.
For those following the “Kings” theme, the setlist should not have come as a surprise. Adam and the band proceeded to blast through the 1980 Adam and the Ants classic from front to back without missing a beat. Looking lithe and energetic, hitting every note as he commanded the stage, Mr. Ant defied his 62 years of age.
With the Kings album out of the way, the band showed no sign of letting up. Following “The Human Beings” with “Beat My Guest” was as bold as it was impressive, and immediately had the room bouncing and whoa-oa-ing along for what would prove to be one of the highlights of the night.
Short on talk and long on rock, Adam and his band shoe-horned a whopping 26 songs into the hour and 45 minute set, pulling primarily from the Adam and the Ants catalog and including a few rarities such as “Red Scab” and “Lady/Fall In.” In fact none of the songs on Tuesday’s setlist seem to have been released after 1985!
Rest assured though, this is no nostalgia act. Mr. Ant clearly at the top of his game which only heightens the anticipation for new music … the promise of Bravest of the Brave in 2018.
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant
GLAM SKANKS
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
Glam Skanks
SETLIST
Dog Eat Dog
Antmusic
Feed Me to the Lions
Los Rancheros
Ants Invasion
Killer in the Home
Kings of the Wild Frontier
The Magnificent Five
Don’t Be Square (Be There)
Jolly Roger
Making History
The Human Beings
Beat My Guest
Christian D’or
Stand and Deliver
Vive Le Rock
Cartrouble
Desperate But Not Serious
Zerox
Never Trust a Man (With Egg on His Face)
Lady/Fall In
Goody Two Shoes
Prince Charming
ENCORE
Red Scab
Get It On (T. Rex cover)
Physical (You’re So)
