Billy Idol Performed Live in Concert at Uptown Theater in Kansas City on September 21, 2018
Ever-emblematic music superstar, the absolute legend that is the one and only Billy Idol performed live in concert at Uptown Theater in Kansas City, MO on September 21, 2018. The 2018 Live! tour was a short, but extraordinaire 11-date excursion that left an eternal mark on the Midwest, and Kansas City with fortuitous to land a show of such magnitude. If there is any artist who quintessentially symbolizes the MTV era, it is Billy Idol.
It was a night jam packed with events in the city, though most notably the evening of the biggest and most anticipated concert of the year. The legendary Billy Joel was playing live as well and at Kauffman Stadium of all venues, the first performance there in 39 years. Yet, with general admission standing room on the floor, Billy Idol sold out his show, even with its announcement coming several months later. It was shoulder-to-shoulder fans, the standing room even backed up past the soundboard and into the aisles of the lower level seating. However, not only did the fans turn out, but the artist more than delivered.
In what very possibly may serve as “the” concert of the year, Billy Idol with his enduring voice and ferocious punk rock persona captivated fans of all generations. From his landmark Generation X hit to all the solo ones that led him to international stardom, he took them on the utmost nostalgic ride through the most defining age in music. The larger-than-life personality was joined on stage by his long-time and renown guitarist Steve Stevens plus Billy Morrison (guitar), Stephen McGrath (bass), Paul Trudeau (guitar/keyboard) and Erik Eldenius (drums). After closing out the show with a fierce performance of “Mony Mony,” which saw the crowd gleefully chiming in with its alternate lyrics, Idol addressed everyone on hand. With true gratitude for his following and years on top of the music world, he said “I want to thank YOU for making MY life f*ing GREAT!”
Setlist for Billy Idol at Uptown Theater in Kansas City:
“Shock to the System,” “Dancing With Myself” (Generation X), “Flesh for Fantasy,” “Can’t Break Me Down,” “L.A. Woman” (The Doors), “Scream,” “Catch My Fall,” “Eyes Without a Face,” ~Guitar Solo~ “Rat Race,” “Whiskey and Pills,” “Blue Highway” (w/ “Top Gun” Anthem snippet) and “Rebel Yell”; Encore – “White Wedding” ~Drum Solo~ and “Mony Mony” (Tommy James & the Shondells)
