Billy Idol For 2022 Arena Dates With The Go-Go’s
by Northern Life
The world’s favourite rebel Billy Idol is back and heading out on The Roadside Tour 2022 with some new music, a stack of timeless classics and his long-time lead guitarist and collaborator Steve Stevens. For his first appearances in the UK since 2018, Billy will play 6 Arena dates in June 2022 and tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday 30th September 2021.
The global lockdown of 2020 gave Billy time to reflect. While writing the new music that would become his latest release, The Roadside EP, Idol’s thoughts turned to his near-fatal motorcycle accident of 1990, how he dealt with it and how it related to the current crisis. “It seemed quite logical and natural to write something about my motorcycle accident,” he says. “I may have been saying, well, this is what people go through when they are in trouble. I think I was unconsciously making that connection.
“Certainly, the motorcycle accident was the catharsis, the wake-up moment. Maybe I left behind the irreverent, youthful Billy and opened the door for a more attentive father and more sensitive musician. Something did get left by the roadside, but it was not necessarily a bad thing in the end.”
Billy’s reflections are captured in the lyrics of Bitter Taste, one of four tracks on his new EP The Roadside, his first new music for seven years and as impactful and poignant as ever.
For forty-five years, Billy Idol has been one of the faces and voices of rock’n’roll, with an artistic resume to match the brilliant light of the image. First as the camera-ready front man for Generation X, between 1977 and 1981 Idol emerged with three albums that made positivity, emotional depth, and high pop synonymous with punk rock. In 1982, Idol embarked on a remarkable transatlantic/trans-genre solo career that integrated clubland throb, wide-screen depth and drama, rockabilly desperation, the bold and simple lines of punk, and rock’n’roll decadence.
Embracing the new MTV music channel, videos for White Wedding, Rebel Yell and Eyes Without A Face established Idol as one of the iconic performers of his generation, a position he still holds today.
With restrictions lifted, Billy is touring Stateside through the Autumn and looking forward to his return to Britain next year. “I can’t wait to get back on the road in the UK again,” Billy adds, “and enjoy that exhilaration and energy that only comes from playing in front of a live British audience.”
Billy’s touring band features his long-time guitarist and collaborator Steve Stevens along with Stephen McGrath (bass, backing vocals), Billy Morrison (guitar, backing vocals), Paul Trudeau (keyboards, backing vocals) and drummer Erik Eldenius.
Supporting Billy Idol are very special guests The Go-Go’s making their first UK appearance for 26 years. “We are thrilled to be sharing the stage with Billy Idol on his 2022 Summer UK tour dates. We haven’t had an opportunity to play for our British fans in 26 years and can’t wait to see you all,” says The Go-Go’s.
Formed in California in 1978, The Go-Go’s became the first all-female band writing their own material and playing their own instruments to top the U.S. Billboard album chart with their multi-platinum debut, Beauty And The Beat. The album also earned Belinda Carlisle (lead vocals), Charlotte Caffey (lead guitar, keyboards), Gina Schock (drums). Jane Wiedlin (guitar) and Kathy Valentine (bass guitar) a Grammy® Award nomination for Best New Artist and skyrocketed them to superstardom.
The Go-Go’s recently released the single Club Zero, their first new recording in nearly 20 years, which hit Top 10 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart. The band’s critically acclaimed documentary The Go-Go’s captures them working on an early version of the song and is available as a 2-Disc set (DVD + Blu-ray) or download via Polygram/UMe.
Billy Idol The Roadside Tour 2022 dates:
Saturday 11 June, Glasgow, The SSE Hydro
Monday 13 June, Manchester, AO Arena
Wednesday 15 June, Birmingham, Resorts World Arena
Saturday 18 June, London, The SSE Arena, Wembley
Sunday 19 June, Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
Tuesday 21 June, Leeds, First Direct Arena
Tickets for The Roadside Tour 2022 are on sale from 9am on Thursday 30th September 2021 and can be purchased from www.aegpresents.co.uk/billy-idol.