Sunday, September 8, 2013

Adam Ant at the Showbox Market 09.07.2013

2013 has been a concert year that included a bunch of musicians from my childhood performing as if they had never had any lulls in their careers. I've seen The Specials, Paul McCartney, Presidents of the USA and Black Sabbath, just to name a few.

This weekend though, I had the opportunity to photograph one of my all time heroes. I have playlists of his songs on my iPod and my iPhone. I've even introduced him to my son. My 12 year old allows me to put songs on his iPod that I think he will enjoy. The Adam Ant tunes have not been removed so far.

Adam Ant.. I had to say it again. I really never thought I'd have the chance to see him perform live in 2013 let alone have the chance to actually photograph him! The opening band, Prima Donna, out of L.A. kicked things off right at 8pm. They were a great choice to open for Adam. High energy and great tunes and they had a modern take on the New Wave vibe of the 80's. Singer Kevin Preston had an interesting combination of fun intensity about him that made me really enjoy this band. I liked them to the extent that I bought myself a CD before I headed out.

I haven't been this impatient for a set change in a long time. I was in the pit as soon as they would let us in there. The band took the stage to an introduction that consisted of Tchaikovsky's '1812 Overture' and a quote by Lord Cardigan from the film The Charge of the Light Brigade.

The crowd was rowdy by now and ready for Adam. He took the stage and we were treated to 'Marrying the Gunner's Daughter' for our first song. He followed that up with 'Dog Eat Dog' and 'Beat My Guest' for the other two songs we could photograph.

We headed out of the pit during 'Kick'. I made my way to the back of the room and stood (danced) next to the soundboard for the remainder of the 29/30 song set:

Ants Invasion
Hardmentoughblokes
Stand and Deliver
Shrink
Room at the Top
Kings of the Wild Frontier
Wonderful
Whip in My Valise
Vince Taylor
Stay in the Game
Cool Zombie
Strip
Desperate but Not Serious
Cleopatra
Never Trust a Man (With Egg on His Face)
Zerox
Vive Le Rock
Antmusic
Goody Two Shoes
Car Trouble
Prince Charming

Encore:
Press Darlings
Lady/Fall In
Red Scab
Physical (You're So)

It was in the back of the room that I really got to listen to him. His voice - was - incredible. I could close my eyes and be taken right back to my room in junior high.... 'I got Marco, Merrick, Terry Lee... Gary Tibbs and yours truly. In the naughty North and in the sexy South, we're all singing and I have the mouth....'