Why waste space describing Billy Idol's music? There's no question that you've probably done one (if not all) of the following: (a) Howled "a nice day to — start AGAAAAAINNNN!" in time with him; (b) Pumped your fist and sneered while mugging for a camera; or (c) Listened enthusiastically to the CD he released earlier this year, Devil's Playground.
All right, "C" is most likely a mystery to you.
Touring this year, Idol and his band (which includes hotshot guitarist Steve Stevens) have been performing eight songs from Playground, so be prepared for some unfamiliar material. Everybody really knows what they're going to see and hear anyway: the pointy spikes of gelled hair, the castratingly tight leather pants and, of course, "Rebel Yell."
Be sure to stick around afterward for Haunted Playground, a post-show Halloween bash put on by the Weekly Planet. The fun includes live music by Life on Mars, a fashion show, costume contest, and devilish treats and surprises (natch). At the end of the night, not only will you not want to go home, you'll be shouting for "More! More! More!"
Billy Idol, 8 p.m. Mon., Oct. 31. Concert: $45-$55; Haunted Playground: $25. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 800-826-9303 or www.vanwezel.org.
This article appears in Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2005.