Adam Ant at the Middlesbrough Town Hall

Adam Ant

Middlesbrough Town Hall

24.11.2019

It has been seven years since Adam Ant played at The Middlesbrough Empire. His overdue return brought him a coupled of hundred yards further into town to the recently refurbished Middlesbrough Town Hall.

The Town Hall has certainly hit the ground running since it reopened. UB40 and The Specials have both already been there and next year brings another big-hitter, in the shape of Paul Weller; a significant coup of the town.

However, the end of November belonged to Adam Ant, who tore through his Friend or Foe album before switching to prime cuts from his days with the Ants.

The hall was packed out and it was 'standing only' downstairs. The balcony and gallery areas looked full too. The downstairs mosh featured the usual selection of drunks, jostlers, arguers and, of course, people dressed in the style of Adam Ant from various areas.

The evening started with the album's title track; a vibrant song which set the pace for the whole evening. Goody Two Shoes lifted things to another level and Adam mde sure the non-album set was filled with one crowd-pleaser after another: Kings of the Wild Frontier, Ant Music, Prince Charming, Stand and Deliver and Dog Eat Dog were all present and correct, as were plenty of others too.

The pace didn't drop at any point during the evening. Adam has had well-documented problems over the years, but on stage he has clearly lost none of his ability to connect with an audience and to provide a full evening of high-octane entertainment.

This was another coup for the Middlesbrough Town Hall and one which was appreciated by the people of Teesside. All great fun!