Few artists have defined the look, attitude, and sound of rock ’n’ roll as much as Billy Idol. More than four decades after he first exploded onto the scene, he’s shown no interest in slowing down: he released a full-length album in April 2025 ‘Dream Into It,’ and is currently on his It’s a Nice Day To…Tour Again! Idol brought his catalog of songs (along with his platinum-blonde hair) to Blossom Music Center on for some Sunday night action on September 13th.
As part of the Class of 2026, Idol will be officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this November in the Performer Category. From punk clubs to MTV and now arenas, Idol has been performing for 50 years. Beginning as a guitarist for the West London retro-rock band Chelsea 1976, he and two others left to form Generation X– with Idol as the frontman. They wrote and performed “Your Generation,” “Night of the Cadillacs,” and “Dancing With Myself” (which Billy Idol would later release as his own single). In 1981, Idol became a solo artist and moved to New York City– partnering with legendary guitarist Steve Stevens. They would go on to become one of the defining styles of the 1980s.
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Idol took to the stage with vigor, performing some of his more recent tracks, “Still Dancing” and “77.” Each song featured colorful retro 80s backgrounds and vibrant lighting. Idol sounded incredible. An audience member turned to me to exclaim how great he sounded. He then got into some of his older tunes, including one of my personal favorites, “Eyes Without a Face.”
The show was a complete spectacle. The backup singers, Kitten Kuroi and Jessica Childress, came to the front multiple times to sing and dance with Idol and his guitarists. There were enough wardrobe changes that I lost count, but Idol was shirtless no less than twice.
Steve Stevens used his iconic modified ray gun on his guitar, which was insane to hear live. It’s what being transported into the Matrix sounds like. He then played an extended guitar solo which featured the Top Gun Anthem, before ending the main act with “Rebel Yell.” The audience wanted ‘more, more, more’ as they cheered for an encore.
The band came back to the stage very quickly and played “Dancing With Myself” and “Hot in the City.” Longtime rhythm guitarist Billy Morrison put on a Deshaun Watson jersey for the encore. I will refrain from elaborating, aside from noting that this show was Sunday night after the Browns season opener (31-10 loss at Jacksonville). Idol joked with the audience, asking them what song he hadn’t played yet…which was, of course, his MTV hit, “White Wedding”– with an epic sustained ending to close the show.
Idol & Co. threw shirts, drumsticks, frisbees, the set list, and the aforementioned Browns jersey to the crowd. Idol even signed a fan in the front row’s vinyl. Afterwards, he thanked everyone multiple times and introduced every member of the ensemble.
Starting the night off was frontwoman of The Bangles, Susanna Hoffs. Backed by her competent band, she performed an hour-long set including hits such as “Manic Monday,” “Eternal Flame,” and “Walk Like An Egyptian.” There were some lovely warm covers sprinkled in, including her version of The Velvet Underground’s “Sunday Morning.” Hoffs even played tracks from her upcoming all-new solo album, ‘The List,’ due out September 18th.
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