Staff Picks: Billy Idol and Bryan Adams

 
 
By Lee Danuff / Digital Producer
Do you know how to Rebel Yell? Does the Summer of '69 mean more than just a season 50 years ago? If these terms bring back MTV memories from the 1980s and 1990s, you will really enjoy a limited eight-city tour when two legendary musicians played to a packed crowd that was ready to sing and dance.
Billy Idol and Bryan Adams brought their tour, which kicked off in New Hampshire, to Jones Beach Sunday night. Other stops include Connecticut, Long Island and New Jersey, before wrapping up in Virginia mid-August.
This tour marks the first time the two musicians have played together on the same stage. Between them, the artists have sold over 100 million records, according to Live Nation - with Idol having eight top 20 hits and Adams having 13.
Idol opened the show - complete with his signature snarl – with his popular song "Dancing With Myself." He also did a great cover of The Doors "L.A. Woman," and sang some classic songs from Generation X. Idol dedicated "Ghosts in My Guitar" to his father, noting that was the last song he listened to before he passed away. Guitarist Steve Stevens also did an amazing version of "Dementia," that seemed to mix flamenco, classical and Led Zeppelin.
The crowd was extremely receptive to Idol and his high-energy show at Jones Beach. Many concert goers said he exceeded their expectations. He also made the crowd go into a frenzy when he threw signed Frisbees into the audience.

Bryan Adams' set was equally as entertaining. He also kept the crowd on its feet, despite the light rain falling during his set. Adams dedicated the song "Shine a Light" to the victims and families of the recent mass shootings, and the crowd responded by shining the lights of their phones in synch with the music.
Idol then joined Adams on the stage to a great version of Eddie Cochran's " C'Mon Everybody."
Adams dared the audience to shake their stuff during "You Belong To Me." The cameramen on stage highlighted some audience members and put their best dance moves on the big screens as the song progressed. Another highlight of the set was the "Summer of '69" singalong.
If you like either artist, I highly encourage you to attend one of the remaining shows during the tour. The tour link can be found here.

SPOILER ALERT: Here's the set list from Thursday's show at Jones Beach:
BILLY IDOL SET LIST
Dancing with Myself
Flesh for Fantasy
L.A. Woman
Ghosts in My Guitar
Eyes Without a Face
Dementia
Soul Standing By
Your Generation
Ready Steady Go
Blue Highway
Top Gun Anthem
Rebel Yell
Encore:
White Wedding


BRYAN ADAMS SET LIST
Somebody
Kids Wanna Rock
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
Run to You
Shine a Light
Heaven
C'mon Everybody
It's Only Love
You Belong to Me
Summer of '69
(Everything I Do) I Do It for You
Back To You
The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You
Cuts Like a Knife
Encore:
Straight From the Heart