Concert Review
Billy Idol
Devo
Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview
Syracuse, NY
Saturday August 15, 2026
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Making his first appearance in Syracuse since 2019, Billy Idol wasted no time capturing the audience’s attention to make up for lost time. He was still touring in support of Dream Into It, his latest album released last year. He announced a small 17-date tour entitled It’s a Nice Day to …Tour Again which runs through September. All of the August shows feature Devo as the opening band and they got the crowd warmed up as only they know how.
Idol, the 2026 Rock Hall inductee kicked things off with “Still Dancing” from his latest. He followed with a pair of tracks that landed on the Billboard singles charts in “Cradle of Love” and “Flesh For Fantasy”. Idol led the festivities by captivating the audience throughout the show keeping the audience engaged.
Idol is always flanked by an amazing band including longtime guitarist Steve Stevens who also will be inducted into the Rock Hall alongside Billy Idol in a ceremony in November. Joining them were drummer Erik Eldenius, bassist Steve McGrath, rhythm guitarist Billy Morrison and keyboardist Paul Trudeau. The lineup is solid as they have been together touring since 2014.
Make no mistake that Billy Idol at 70 years old has him still going strong. He knows how to work the crowd as evidenced by reaction of the crowd. There was a healthy turnout on the lawn despite several empty seats in the pavilion mainly in the rear sections. The energy of the crowd was not lost on Idol.
Standout tracks such as “Mony Mony”, “Ready Steady Go” and “Rebel Yell” went over effortlessly and were perfectly enhanced by background singers Jessica Childress and Kitten Kuroi.
As the show wound down and the gang came out to finish off the set Idol dressed the crowd “Can you tell me what song we haven’t done?” As the crowd roared “White Wedding” Stevens and the band ripped right into the last song of the night. It was a nice way to end the show.
How many more tours does Idol have in him? While only time will tell but judging by his performance Saturday night there is still plenty of gas in the tank. His voice is still sounding great, he can still move on stage and surrounding himself with these musicians should enable him to do this for as long as he chooses to. Let’s hope he decides to visit much sooner than seven years.
Billy Idol
Devo
Opening the show was Devo the new wave band from Akron, OH. The band has released nine albums over the years and of course are known for “Whip It” the biggest song of their career which peaked at #14 in 1980.
The band still consisted of original members Gerald Casale, and brothers Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh. Joining them on stage was guitarist Josh Hager and drummer Jeff Friedl.
The band led the crowd through several songs from their catalog. Often classified as a “one hit wonder” nothing could be further from the truth. The band may have only the one top-40 hit but landed two others in the top 100 and has had several more hover slightly above #100.
Songs which had many Devo fans sporting energy domes and dancing in the aisles included “Peek-A-Boo”, “Working in the Coal Mine” and the title track ”Freedom of Choice” from their landmark 1980 album. Overall a cool choice to open the show as they continue to have a very loyal fanbase.
Billy Idol
Still Dancing
Cradle of Love
Flesh For Fantasy
77
Love Unchained
Eyes Without A Face
Steve Stevens Guitar Solo
Mony Mony
Trouble With The Sweet Stuff
Ready Steady Go
Blue Highway/Top Gun Anthem
Rebel Yell
Encore
Dancing With Myself
Hot in the City
White Wedding
Devo
Don’t Shoot (I’m A Man)
Peek-A-Boo!
Going Under
That’s Good
Girl U Want
Whip It
Planet Earth
Uncontrollable Urge
Blockhead
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA
Gates of Steel
Encore
Freedom of Choice
