On this day, 30 November 2019, in a Covid-free world, new wave icon Adam Ant stepped back onto Welsh soil to transform St David’s hall into a night of chart-topping nostalgia. Making sure to bring all his chart-toppers to the Capital on his greatest hits UK tour, he transported the audience into his flamboyant musical world.
The singer first charmed a stage in Cardiff on November 30 1980 at the former Top Rank nightclub on Queen Street, and went on to perform in the city a further three times at Coal Exchange in 2011, Cardiff University in 2012 and the St David’s Hall concert respectively.
A recent art school graduate, Stuart Goddard discovered a love for rock music in the 70’s, and uncovered his new persona who the world would call Adam Ant, and formed Adam and the Ants in May 1977.
The bands popularity in a punk-rock era England grew and in a short space of time they became recognisable faces on the music scene- not least because of Ant’s distinctive style and theatrics.
After securing a new-found idol status in Old Blighty, the band took their chances overseas and thanks to a new TV channel called MTV, they conquered the States too, leading them to continue taking their ‘antmusic’ worldwide.
Soon enough, their signature tribal drumbeats had stomped all over the world, and the band enjoyed global success, until their split in 1982, after which Ant when on to achieve a successful solo career.
Now I have to admit, I had been fairly oblivious to many songs (much to my brother’s dismay). Hits such as ‘Prince Charming’ and ‘Goody Two Shoes’ aside, I wasn’t all that familiar with Adam Ant’s anthology. So, when asked by my godfather a mere few hours before the show if I wanted a spare last-minute ticket to see him, I jumped at the chance to broaden my musical horizons (this certainly did not help my popularity with my brother).
I couldn’t help but feel I wasn’t going to get the full effect of the show, as I’d just finished an 8-hour shift and was almost ready for bed after legging it across town to make it in time, but oh how wrong I was.
I couldn’t help but stand and stomp my fatigued feat to the beat booming around the hall. The effect of having two drummers makes a difference I hadn’t even realised was possible until I experienced it live. The sheer power and effect of the double drums created draws you into the rhythm in a way I hadn’t experienced before. It really is something you have to see live to know.
Being a (very) novice guitarist and singer/aspiring performer myself, I watched in awe as Ant commanded the stage so naturally as if it were second nature (which at this point it is to him). He managed to enthral the audience with his unique sound and signature style, and certainly gave me a new appreciation for his work.
I went home to download all the albums I could find and phoned my brother to apologise and admit I know now why he was so envious of me being able to see such a legend live.
Gabriela Page
Setlist:
Friend or Foe
Something Girls
Place in the Country
Desperate But Not Serious
Here Comes the Grump
Hello, I love you
Goody Two Shoes
Crackpot History and the Right to Lie
Made of Money
Cajun Twisters
Try This for Sighs
Man Called Marco
Dog Eat Dog
Kick!
Vive le Rock
Ant music
Zerox
Cartrouble
Ants Invasion
Prince Charming
Puss ‘n Boots
Lady/Fall In
Kings of the Wild Frontier
Beat My Guest
Stand and Deliver
Encore:
Press Darlings
Red Scab
Physical (You’re So)