There are some gigs you wait a lifetime for – and on 24 June 2025 at London’s OVO Arena Wembley, mine finally arrived. Seeing Billy Idol live has been on my bucket list since the 1980s, when his peroxide sneer and punk snarl were the soundtrack to my teenage rebellion. I even dressed my cousin as a mini Billy Idol once – jelled blond hair, leather jacket, the lot. So yes, expectations were sky-high. But I can say with every ounce of sincerity: Billy delivered.
The It’s A Nice Day To… Tour Again! hit London like a lightning bolt, not just for nostalgia’s sake but as a thunderous reminder that Billy Idol isn’t just a relic of punk rock history – he’s still got it. At 69, he radiates the same punk swagger, albeit now with a self-aware wink. And that voice? Still strong, raspy, defiant – the rebel yell still roars.
From the explosive opener Still Dancing, a stomping anthem from his new album Dream Into It, the night was high-octane from start to finish. The crowd – a glorious mix of loyal Gen X fans and Gen Z rock-curious – was on their feet the entire time, soaking in every power chord, hip thrust, and guttural scream. There was a tangible atmosphere of pure joy – strangers dancing together, fists in the air, singing lyrics they’ve known for decades.
The set list was masterfully curated. Classic hits like Cradle of Love, Flesh for Fantasy, and Eyes Without a Face had us screaming along, but it was the encore – Rebel Yell, Dancing With Myself, White Wedding – that truly ignited the arena. Gimme Shelter, a duet with backing vocalist Jessica, was a standout: raw, emotional, and respectful to its Stones origins while entirely Idol-ised.
Fun fact: Rebel Yell itself was inspired by a bottle of bourbon swigged at a Stones party – proof that rock mythology lives on in every note.
And then, of course, there was Steve Stevens – Idol’s long-time musical wingman – who remains an absolute wizard. His solo, complete with flamenco flourishes and Led Zeppelin snippets, earned a raucous ovation and reminded us all how much soul there is behind the snarls.
A surprise highlight was the double Generation X blast of Ready Steady Go and Dancing With Myself, featuring Tony James, Idol’s old bandmate. Watching them together again was a moment of punk poetry – the ghosts of Soho nights gone by grinning through every chord.
New tracks like Dream Into It and 77 felt muscular and relevant live, proving Idol isn’t just milking past glories. His 2025 material hits with both attitude and reflexion, echoing his own words: “I’m still looking towards the future. Still living the life I set out to live.”
Opening act New Model Army deserve their flowers too. Their politically-charged anthems, gritty riffs, and fierce presence were more than a warm-up – they were a reminder of how meaningful support bands can be. Wembley was theirs for a moment, and the crowd responded with thunder.
Billy Idol’s Wembley show was not just a concert – it was a celebration of a survivor, a rock icon, and a rebel who’s still writing his own rules. For me, it was more than just ticking a box. It was personal. It was joy. It was history with volume turned up to eleven.
Rock isn’t dead – it just puts on red leather trousers, sneers, and belts out White Wedding like it still means it. And it does.
Rating: 10/10
For fans of: Loud music, leather jackets, unapologetic nostalgia – and proof that punk never grows old.
Set list:
Cradle of Love
Encore:
