Concert Review: Adam Ant (With Special Guest The English Beat), Kansas City’s Uptown Theater 3/22/2024
*Photo of Adam Ant taken by the Rock Chick
You know that feeling when you wake up after a great concert. You might have a slight hangover, you’ve been up way past your bed time but you feel great. It’s like you’ve just had this wonderful communal, quasi religious experience. Music is running through your head and you’re smiling a lot. That’s how I feel today. And I have to admit, my first thought of the day was, “Well, I certainly didn’t expect that…”
It was the Rock Chick who discovered that Adam Ant was going to be in KC at the venerable Uptown Theater (where I saw the Cult in ’22) last night. She’s always been a fan and wanted to go. When I saw the English Beat was opening, I thought, “Hell, yes, I’m in.” Buy the ticket, see the show – that’s my motto. And since I just discovered Billy Idol’s new song, “Love Don’t Live Here” from the Rebel Yell sessions, I’m in an 80s mood these days.
I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t have a long history with Adam Ant. I’m like most people, I remember seeing him dressed like a pirate (or whatever that costume was?) in the “Goody Two Shoes” video. I always liked that song and the chorus, “Don’t drink, don’t smoke, what do you do?” Who doesn’t love a good innuendo? And let’s face it, we all have a vice or two, hidden or not. Adam had his face painted in the video and it wasn’t screaming loud rock guitars or blues in the least so I just kind of noted it and moved back to my latest Van Halen record.
Over the years as my musical tastes have expanded I became more aware of some of Adam Ant’s music. “Stand And Deliver,” which is running through my head today, popped out at me. No Doubt actually covered that song when I saw them a few years back. “Strip” was good. One of his latter day tunes, “Wonderful” is one the Rock Chick turned me onto and I love that song. I assumed we were in for an evening of new wave, post-punk pop. Nothing could have prepared me for the guitar/drums assault I just witnessed last night…What a show!
I would be remiss if I didn’t pause, and give a shout out to all those folks who showed up last night dressed as pirates. Not a lot of you did, but for those who did, take this as a tip of my tri-corner hat. There was one guy I walked into the venue behind who was dressed in shiny patent leather from head to toe. I’m not sure what his expectations for the evening were, but they were certainly different than mine. I can’t imagine what that guy spends on talcum powder… Cheers, leather-clad stranger! I’d never seen so much velvet. The couple sitting next to us – the dude had on a blue velvet jacket and the lady had a blue fuzzy fur coat on – left right after the English Beat played…I couldn’t help but think, what fun! And what a devoted fan base! How have I been missing out on this.
The English Beat came out right after 8pm and opened the show. Again, the only tracks I knew were “Tenderness” and “Save It For Later.” I must confess I always dug Pete Townshend’s live cover of that latter track from Deep End as much as the original. I dug the almost-an-hour long set they played, heavy on reggae beats. They tended to stretch out the tunes quite a bit which became vexing. And they had an MC, Ranking Jr, who kept trying to hype up Dave Wakeling. I get it, he’s an “O.G.” Sigh.
As they set up the gear for Adam Ant’s band, I realized they had not one but two full drum sets. I haven’t seen a band with two full on drummers since the Allman Brothers rumbled through town back in the days before the Rock Chick. And I saw the Dead once, who always had two drummers…but I digress. They also had free-standing, big drums set up on both sides of the drummers. Beyond the two drum sets, there were just four microphones set up at the front of the stage… there was nary a keyboard in sight. I was thinking, well, two guitars and a bass and then Adam’s microphone? This thing might rock a little harder than I realized.
A little after 9:30pm the band rolled out on stage: the two drummers who came out first, Jola (who was a dead ringer for Amy Winehouse with her beehive wig) and alas, I didn’t catch the second drummer’s name; the guitarists came out next, A.P. Leach and lead guitarist Will Crewdson; and finally bassist Joe Holweger. They were all followed by Adam himself, clad in a black double button shirt and leather pants with knee high boots, spare bandana flowing from his back pocket like a tail. He wore a big cowboy hat over a bandana. The dude is 69 years old and looks trim and fit. I must say, he danced around the stage like a man half his age.
They opened up with “Antmusic” with the guitar players beating along to the drummers on the big spare drums. It was so… tribal. I can’t say enough good stuff about the drummers – they propelled me into next month. Crewdson, on the lead guitar started shredding! That guy was awesome. After “Antmusic” they played another song I’m familiar with “Vive Le Rock” and man, we were off and running. Crewdson was stage right, bent over and attacking the guitar. Adam was dancing to the music like he was connected to the drums through some magic wiring. Adam wasn’t terribly talkative but he did thank the crowd after almost every tune. And believe me, this was an almost sold out, 1700-seat arena where the crowd was what I’d describe as adoring. That always makes for a good show, when the crowd is into it.
There’s no other way to describe last night’s show other than a full-on guitar and drums onslaught. I could feel the music in my clothes. It RAWKED! I was surprised. This was more full on punk than post punk. During “Friend Or Foe” Ant appeared to be beating along to the drums on his body. “Prince Charming,” which elicited a huge reaction from the crowd saw Ant getting the crowd to join in a big sing-along. It was a cool moment between singer and audience. “Cartrouble” melted my face off as did “Killer In The Home.” He lost me a little during “Kings Of The Wild Frontier,” probably because I wasn’t terribly familiar with that one.
The latter half of the set was all the hits the casual fan like me would know. “Puss In Boots,” “Desperate But Not Serious,” and “Strip” were all great. That led up to perhaps my favorite performance of the night, “Wonderful.” Such a great song. The main set ended on a spirited, drum-filled version of “Stand And Deliver” and it was another great moment.
The encore was short and sweet and a bit confusing. The first song was the big hit, “Goody Two Shoes,” and it had the crowd into it. They’d been spirited all night in their pirate costumes but “Goody Two Shoes” set them off. But then Adam strapped on his electric guitar – which he’d done intermittently during the evening – and they went into “Physical (You’re So)” which can only be described as a heavy-metal dirge. It kinda took the life out of the crowd. Were I Adam Ant, I might flip the running order of those two encore songs. End on a high note. The crowd just kinda stood there, mouth agape during the guitar onslaught.
And with that Adam and his band left the stage. I was drained but in a good way. These guys put on a good ol’ fashion, ass kickin’, rock n roll show. This band takes no prisoners…much like pirates. If I had any complaint on the night, I would have liked Ant’s vocals to be boosted just slightly in the mix, nothing drastic, but I’m splitting hairs. Say what you want about some of these older bands, these guys can play. If you’re out there in a city where Ant is playing, I can’t recommend this show strongly enough. I tend to focus on those big tours – the Stones, Pearl Jam – but it’s these smaller shows where rock n roll is surviving… Me, I’m gonna spend the day “pretending that you’re Al Green, Al Green.”
Cheers!
p.s. Buy the ticket, see the show.
Nice! I’ve never seen Adam Ant but I totally would given the opportunity! I did get to see The English Beat last month at a private party, they still put on a great show! Rock on! 😎
Wow, sounds like a very cool private party! I will say, if you ever get the chance to see Adam Ant, it’s well worth it! Thank you for sharing! Cheers!
*LOVED* this show!! Very Awesome! I’ve been an Adam Ant fan for over 40 years and was so glad he came to Kansas City! Totally agree on wishing his vocals could have been heard a little better, but overall one of the best shows I’ve ever seen!
Thank you so much for the comment. I’m admittedly a more casual fan, but man, I loved this show as well. It was such a wonderful, unexpected knock-out of a show. His band is fabulous. I thought his vocals were strong they just needed to turn them up in the mix!! Agree with you completely! Cheers!
I just saw him in Milwaukee on 3/25 and it appears that something changed in the 3 days since you saw him. Unfortunately, Adam was incredibly flat and pitchy, which seemed to mess up the background vocalists. Also, I don’t know how you can do a show without horns. Even if you had to play a recorded version, that would be better than not having any horns. The horns are such a big part of their sound and to not have them was super disappointing. Musically, they appeared to be spot on and who doesn’t love 2 drummers? For me, this was a very disappointing show.
OHhman, I’m sorry to hear that! As a more casual fan I was just impressed with the guitar and drums but yes, horns would have only made it better. Adam’s voice was spot on in KC, although admittedly I’d have appreciated it being turned up just slightly in the mix. Thanks for the feedback!
I hate being critical but based on how he sounded on Monday, you would not have wanted his vocals to be turned up. During the show, I didn’t think it was all that bad but when I listened to a couple of videos that I took on my iphone after I got home, I was surprised at how flat and off he was. Hopefully, it was just a one-off bad performance and that he’ll rally for the remaining dates and others will enjoy the show.
Was at show last night in Indy – English Beat was energetic and engaging – great show! The musicians accompanying Adam Ant were incredibly talented & high energy, but sadly, Adam was not at his best (his mic may have been turned down on purpose) – vocals and energy were both rather flat. Sixth show of tour in seven days had to be tough – hope rest of tour goes well!
I’ve heard something similar from a reader in Milwaukee. Sounds like the grueling road schedule might be taking its toll. I guess I was lucky to see him on only the 2nd night of the tour. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I don’t know why these older bands cram so many shows into the schedule. Gotta rest those older vocal cords. Maybe you’re right and there’s a reason the vocals were turned down… Cheers!
Agree completely – tough road schedule for anyone really, especially in your late 60’s! Hoping Adam can rest up a bit and catch his breath.
I agree about the vocals. But the band more than made up for it. I’m seeing bith bands in DC next month, so I hope it will be a do over.
Saw the show last night in New Hampshire. The English Beat were completely awesome! Great tunes and excellent performance all the way around. Adam Ant’s band was first class, really fantastic, but his singing was wayyyy off pitch. It was hard to listen to. He didn’t seem to be wearing any in ear monitors, and perhaps the loud drums and guitars made it so that he couldn’t hear himself. He really should get that sorted out. It kinda wrecked an otherwise outstanding show.
I can’t fathom why any singer would try and sing over that band without in-ear monitors. It defies explanation. As I said, when I saw him he sounded fine but his voice was way down in the mix. I’m starting to get the idea that was on purpose. Glad you enjoyed the show!! Cheers!
I have to disagree with some of the comments. I saw Adam in Milwaukee and his performance was fantastic. Yes the band helps with the vocals, but Adam was great. Some songs were adjusted to accommodate his lower range as he can’t hit those higher notes at 69. In 2019, Milwaukee was the first show and they had similar issues with his mic being too low, but not this year. Amazing night of Antmusic! 🐜. Looking forward to seeing Adam and the band again in Vegas!!
Your experience was more like mine! I thought the vocals were buried a bit in the mix but I thought Adam’s vocals were fine. Who can hit the high nights after 40 years? I’d go see Adam Ant again in a heartbeat. Enjoy that second show in Vegas! Cheers!
Saw the show last night in Glenside, PA. It was very fun — I was so excited for it. I’d seen him in both 2017 and 2018, and based on those performances, I knew I’d love it again. Don’t get me wrong … I did love it and had so much fun. But, something was definitely off for Adam. Sometimes he seemed to be playing catch-up on the lyrics, sometimes missed lyrics altogether, often times was way off on the tunes. He was unable to hit both low and high notes and stayed pretty much in the middle, but was pitchy. The band was super and I do agree with others that the guitars were too loud and the sound system should have been better (the sound wasn’t great for the openers, The Beat, either). I think he simply seemed tired, and I don’t blame him. Maybe he wasn’t feeling well? The concert schedule is grueling with a show almost daily for a few months. Anyway — Glenside is still better off after the Ants Invasion! <3
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!! Still sounds like a great show! Cheers!
It WAS a great show — have loved Adam since 1980!
Seeing the show tonight in DC. Been loving Adam and the Ants since “Kings of the Wild Frontier” when I was in 8th grade and this will be my first occasion to see him. Hope I get the “good vocals” version…
Yeah it seems like feedback has been back and forth on his vocals. I do envy you getting to see Adam tonight!! Enjoy it! Let us know which version you get!! Cheers!
Briefly, English Beat were amazing. Lots of engagement with the audience, high energy and tons of fun. Dave Wakeling was the only original member but we got what was called a two-for-one show as they played English Beat and General Public songs. Can confirm the hype-man Ranking Jr. Kinda’ fun. Kinda’ annoying.
The setlist for my show was similar if not the same as yours. And the opening number – Antmusic – was amazing especially the intro with 4 people drumming that distinctive beat. . But as the show wore on two things became clear: 1) Adam has clearly aged and while he did move around a bit on stage I was genuinely concerned that some of his “hop and turn” moves might result in a tumble and broken hip; and 2) his vocals were strained and he wasn’t able to hit all the notes. And I do think they turned down his mix. Until the encore when it seems like he thought to himself “OK, only a few more left. I can go for it now having been restrained for the bulk of the show.”
All of this said, musically they were amazing. I usually spend my time focused on the lead singer but in this instance I couldn’t take my eyes off the dual drummers. Watching them was mesmerizing.
Ultimately I walked away with a similar feeling I had after seeing New Order last fall. I was glad to have gone and seen the show; no regrets. But Adam’s vocals, like Bernard Sumner’s, just didn’t age well.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I have to admit to you, I’m beginning to think I was lucky to see Adam Ant in KC when I did – only the 2nd show of the tour. He’s got a pretty grueling schedule and perhaps is showing signs of that. Having never seen him before, I’m like you, I’m really glad I went to the show! Cheers!