Concert Review
Billy Idol
Joan Jett
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Springs, NY
Sunday August 17, 2025
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Billy Idol and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts do not come to town often so it was a no brainer when this show was announced that it would be a decent draw. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) was the place to be Sunday night as both artists not only took one back to the better days of the past but at the same time gave everyone a taste of where they stand today.
Billy Idol felt it was a nice day to tour again and why not as he celebrates the release of his latest album Dream Into It. Released in April, it marks his ninth studio album and first in over a decade. Four cuts were featured during his 100-minute set and was very well received.
While Billy Idol remains a pioneer and dominating performer, he has some tremendously talented musicians with him up on stage. Everyone has been with him since at least 2014 when keyboardist Paul Trudeau stepped in. Bassist Stephen McGrath and drummer Erik Eldenius lay the foundation of Idol’s formidable solid rhythm section. To top that off he has two of the biggest guitarists on stage together in Billy Morrison and Steve Stevens. Stevens of course has been with Idol since the beginning of his solo career and helped him co-write the majority of the albums and hit songs.
Idol was not afraid to dive right into the new album by opening the show with “Still Dancing”. A faster paced song that fit in nicely with songs such as “Cradle of Love” and “Flesh For Fantasy”. I thought his set list was well thought out mixing in old with new to keep his audience engaged while he played the new material.
All the standard hits were there as he ended his main set with a thunderous “Rebel Yell”. Back for a 4-song encore that included his Generation X UK hit “Dancing With Myself” and ended with “White Wedding”. Idol was nothing short of spectacular as his voice sounded in top form and with this show being just the third in his current run of dates, I found his band to also be in mid-tour form. I can see Idol easily performing for quite a few more years if he desires.
Joan Jett opened the show. The rock and roll Hall of Famer also played a solid set of not only the songs she is known for but also managed to mix up her set with some rare songs that she seldom plays. On stage with Jett were drummer Michael McDermott, bassist Hal B Selzer and lead guitarist Dougie Needles. This version of the Blackhearts has been together since 2016.
Jett played most of her big hits including “I Love Rock ‘n” Roll”, the Tommy James and The Shondells cover “Crimson and Clover” and ended with her signature song “Bad Reputation”. She left the crowd totally warmed up for Mr. Idol.
This bill was a win-win for all involved, the fans, the artists themselves as well as the promoters. Just a solid touring tandem. It will be interesting to see where both artists go from here. There was talk of another Billy Idol album as well as a few other things he has planned. Only time will tell but this show was easily one of the biggest highlights on Live Nation’s summer of 2025 calendar.
Billy Idol Photo Gallery
Set Lists
Billy Idol
Still Dancing
Cradle of Love
Flesh For Fantasy
77
Eyes Without A Face
Steve Stevens Guitar Solo
Mony Mony
Love Don’t Live Here Anymore
Too Much Fun
Ready Steady Go
Blue Highway/Top Gun Anthem
Rebel Yell
Encore
Dancing With Myself
Hot in the City
People I Love
White Wedding
Joan Jett
Victim of Circumstance
Cherry Bomb
Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)
Change the World
(Make the Music Go) Boom
Fake Friends
Lie To Me
Androgynous
Love Is Pain
Everyday People
I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll
Crimson and Clover
I Hate Myself Fore Loving You
Bad Reputation
