Billy Idol Review with Photos 5-3-25

   on Saturday, May 3 the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion was electrified as rock legends Billy Idol and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts delivered a powerhouse performance that thrilled fans of all ages. The "It's a Nice Day To…Tour Again!" stop in The Woodlands proved to be a nostalgic yet invigorating experience, showcasing the enduring appeal of these iconic artists. The evening was a celebration of rock's enduring spirit, blending nostalgia with fresh energy.

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts: Ageless Rebels

    Joan Jett, ever the embodiment of rock, opened the night with an electrifying set that had the crowd on their feet from the first chord. Her performance of classics like "Bad Reputation," "Crimson and Clover" and the anthemic "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" showcased her unwavering vocal prowess and stage presence. The band's tight instrumentation and Jett's gritty vocals reminded everyone why she's a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Joan Jett has always been a trailblazer known for her raw vocals, defiant attitude and jet-black leather style. With her signature black shag haircut, snarling guitar riffs and fearless energy, Jett embodies the rebellious heart of rock 'n' roll.

    The Blackhearts, Jett's longtime backing band, are a tight, no-frills group who deliver high-octane rock rooted in punk, glam and hard rock traditions. Their sound is guitar-driven, loud and unapologetically direct — the perfect match for Jett’s gritty vocal style and on-stage presence. Band Members include: Joan Jett – Lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Dougie Needles – Lead guitar, Hal B. Selzer – Bass guitar and Michael McDermott – Drums. Together, they bring a timeless, hard-hitting live experience that blends punk aggression with classic rock hooks. Their concerts are not about flashy effects — they’re about authentic, loud, guitar-slinging rock music with attitude and soul.

Billy Idol: The Rebel Yell Lives On

    Billy Idol's entrance was met with roaring applause as he kicked off his set with "Still Dancing" from his recently released album, Dream Into It. Backed by his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, Idol showed right off that he could still deliver a dynamic performance, blending his punk roots with polished showmanship.

    Next in the set was Idol's hit “Cradle of Love” from the Charmed Live album, a song which was also featured in the Andrew Dice Clay film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. At the time of release in 1990 the “Cradle of Love” video was placed in rotation on MTV and became a huge hit. Following was “Flesh for Fantasy” from the 1984 Rebel Yell album. This was followed by “77”, and “Too Much Fun”, both recent releases from Idol’s latest album Dream Into it. On a side note, the studio version of “77” features the pop icon Avril Lavigne and Idol as a duet.

    Moving through the set Idol continued with “Eyes without A Face,” “Mony Mony” and “Dream Into It” (title track of the latest album). Jessica Childress then joined Billy onstage for a resounding version of the Rolling Stones classic “Gimme Shelter.”

    Idol rounded out the main set with “Ready Set Go” a Generation X song, “Blue Highway” and “Rebel Yell.” Billy told the story how he was at a birthday party for one of the Rolling Stones and they were drinking a whiskey called Rebel Yell. He then asked the Stones if they had ever thought of using Rebel Yell as the name for a song and the said they hadn’t, so he said he went home that night and wrote “Rebel Yell.”

    After a short break Idol and the band returned for a 4-song encore which featured “Dancing With Myself” (Generation X song), “Hot in the City,” “People I Love” and finally closed the night with “White Wedding.” Band Members include: Billy Idol – Lead vocals, Steve Stevens – Lead guitar, Stephen McGrath – Bass guitar, Billy Morrison – rhythm and lead guitar and backing vocals, Erik Eldenius – Drums and Paul Trudeau – Keyboards and rhythm guitar.

A Night to Remember

    The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion's acoustics and atmosphere amplified the energy, making it a memorable night for all attendees. For fans of classic rock and newcomers alike, the concert was a testament to the timeless appeal of genuine, unfiltered rock 'n' roll.

Final Thoughts

    The "It's a Nice Day To…Tour Again!" stop in The Woodlands was more than just a concert; it was a celebration of rock history and its enduring legacy. Both Billy Idol and Joan Jett proved that age is just a number when it comes to delivering high-octane performances. Their passion, energy and connection with the audience made for an unforgettable evening.

Billy Idol Setlist:
Still Dancing
Cradle of Love
Flesh for Fantasy
77
Too Much Fun
Eyes Without a Face
Steve Stevens Guitar Solo / Over the Hills and Far Away / Stairway to Heaven / Eruption
Mony Mony (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)
Dream Into It
Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones Cover)
Ready Set Go (Generation X song)
Blue Highway (With extended Steve Stevens guitar solo. Snippet of Top Gun Anthem.)
Rebel Yell
Encore:
Dancing With Myself (Generation X song)
Hot in the City
People I Love
White Wedding

Joan Jett Setlist:
Change the World
Cherry Bomb (The Runaways cover)
Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) (Gary Glitter cover)
You Drive Me Wild (The Runaways cover)
If You're Blue
Different
Fake Friends
Lie to Me
Androgynous (The Replacements cover)
Everyday People (Sly & the Family Stone cover)
Love Is Pain
I Love Rock 'n' Roll (The Arrows cover)
Crimson & Clover (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)
I Hate Myself for Loving You
Bad Reputation