“Never meet your heroes,” they say, as they often disappoint. But it was the opposite of that when I bumped into Billy Idol about 20 years ago whilst queuing with the gals for the cinema in Leicester Square. Idol casually walked past us with his trademark blonde locks ‘n’ swagger, and I blurted out, “Oh look, it’s Billy Idol.” He came over and said, “Alright, girls,” then chatted to us for ages and was so fricking lovely.
Billy Idol
Ovo Arena Wembley – 24 June 2025
Words: Sara Harding
Photography: Manuela Langotsch
Fast forward to the now, and I’m so excited to be seeing my first-ever Billy Idol show at the iconic Wembley Arena. Despite being a huge fan of his whole career, for some bizarre reason, the stars never aligned, and I never got to a gig. So here I am rebel yelling with glee that I finally get to see my Idol. Although I do nearly miss the gig when I get locked in a bathroom at the local Itsu Noodles bar when the electric door jammed – thank you to the lovely ladies who rescued me.
We all have those ‘go to’ YouTube moments when we need to chill, rock out or watch some live performances from the sofa. Mine is Billy Idol performing Eyes Without A Face, the stripped-down version, at a stunning sunny festival somewhere in South America. It brings me sheer joy, and often, when you hear a more organic version of a song, you realise how carefully crafted it is, and this is one of them. 
Billy recently said, “I never get tired of playing the big hits live because, for someone in that audience, it’s going to be the first time they do experience them.” Wise words. As I look around this packed-out arena, I see the old-school fans from the Generation X era, like me, alongside my amazing younger female photographer and the cutest of kids who’ve discovered Idol on social media, as he’s a huge TikTok star. His music is as relevant now, and his voice is better than ever. He is also very easy on the eyes.
The new album drop and Billy’s first in ten years, Dream Into It, has been a huge success. “It’s nice to be surprised, to write songs that you find exciting, and here I am enjoying it.”
It is ‘Hot In The City’ of London, so I head to Wembley early to chill for a bit and people watch. As the fans head to the arena, they are all dressed in their Billy Idol Tees, wearing more pleather than a DFS sofa store, and the blonde hair dye had definitely been applied (as I’m a natural blonde, this wasn’t me – ahem).
The excitement in this packed venue is so electric it is almost crackling with anticipation. And as Billy and his band step on stage to a packed Wembley, we are upstanding for rock royalty.
It is a crash bang into Billy’s new drop, Still Dancing, from the aforementioned latest album – and it is an absolute banger. It may be a new song, but it’s got that punk DNA that Idol is renowned for, so it’s retro but also so relevant.
Next on the setlist, we rewind to the 1980s with Cradle of Love. By now, the whole of the stadium is up out of their seats, stomping and cheering. As I look around this packed arena, there are the older and newer generations, all brought together by Billy Idol and his band. They are a stunning six-piece with two sensational backing vocalists. Proud to say my mate Erik is on drums, and the totally amazing and bloody lovely fella Billy Morrison is on dual guitar duty. Boy, do they deliver this evening. This is a multi-layered, superbly tight band of musicians who elevate Billy to an even higher level. The aural soundscape they create is unparalleled. If I was the singer of a band, this would be my group for sure.
Having watched Steve Stevens for so many years on YouTube, seeing him play his guitar live and loud is truly a goosebumps moment. His prowess on the guitar is incredible; from flamenco vibes to stripped-down acoustic picking, soaring solos, and driving riffs, he is the master of them all. 
Flesh For Fantasy is up next, and Billy’s voice is stronger than ever as he performs this anthem from the Rebel Yell album. I can’t tell you how good it is to see this song performed live and loud – a real ‘pinch me’ moment for everyone loving this polished performance at Wembley.
As the house lights go on and Billy takes it all in, he says, “It’s great to be back in London, my hometown. I’m just going to really enjoy myself.” He looks over to Stevens, who is nodding in agreement, and launches into the solo of solos as the spotlight is clearly on him for the next minute or two. While he noodles some guitar magic, Billy has stripped off and is bare-chested. There is a resolute “phwoar” from all of us gals, some swooning and fanning of faces. Oh hell yes, at 69, Billy still has it. My GBF Dom also has a moment too. I think even the old-school punks in the crowd are impressed with Billy’s body.
We are then treated to another stunning song from the new album. Billy reveals this is a very special album to him, with personal lyrics and a bloody great tune in ’77.
As Stevens sits on his riser with a bloody, massive guitar that glints and glows, we all know it’s time for Eyes Without A Face. With ethereal Cathedral-style keyboards and Steve stripping it down playing style. This is MY gig moment. As we sing along and do the “bom chicka boms” with Billy, I’m in Idol heaven.
Then it’s time for some star jumping from Idol into Mony Mony. The production surrounding this song is visually stunning, with backdrops of cityscapes, vintage TVs, and a time for the gospel pipes of the gorgeous ladies to shine on vocals; this all takes the gig to another level.
As the cheers finally simmer down, Billy says, “It’s not easy living this life, missing out on family events, but it is my dream to be here.” Then he launches into the title track, Dream Into Me, which is a masterclass in Idol’s lyrical wizardry. 
It’s time for another cover version as Billy brings BV Jessie to the front of the stage, and they perform a truly majestic cover of The Rolling Stones Give Me Shelter. This leads us to Billy’s next audience chat, “I had a great time drinking in New York with The Rolling Stones, and we were all enjoying a mash whiskey from Tennessee.” Billy goes on to say we all agreed the name of the whiskey would make a great song title, and hence, Rebel Yell was born. Thank goodness for that random night in NYC with a bourbon. What a song! As the band head off stage, we are screaming for More, More, More.
Then it’s encore time as Billy introduces his very special guest, Tony James, bassist of Generation X. We go back to 1978 and the release of their self-titled debut album with Ready, Steady, Go. Billy tells us they first played it at the late, great Marquee Club, and this song takes us right back to our favourite music hotspot in Soho. The punk, the attitude, and the memories of this era of music are here tonight from this Bromley boy done good. The silver fox mosh pit was pogoing.
“Here’s another crazy song we wrote in Japan. We were at a club, and people were dancing whilst looking at their reflections,” Billy reveals as they steam into Dancing with Myself. More like dancing with tens of thousands of others this evening.
“In 1981, I moved to New York, and it was so hot, so I wrote this.” Instantly, we all know which anthem is coming up next. Complete again with jaw-dropping screens beaming out flashes of NYC in a heatwave, and as it is, in fact, boiling hot here at Wembley, it is like the song is coming alive.
Then, sadly but also joyously, it is time for the ultimate finale, the anthem of anthems. I notice quite a few fans actually dressed up in their wedding dresses.
White Wedding – what a way to end a night with absolutely everyone arm in arm, dancing, stomping, singing, cheering, dad dancing, and loving life the Idol way.
Some bands just power through their sets. But to me, this felt like I’d spent a whole evening with Billy and got to know him, his band and his music. I will never, ever forget this gig, as it’s up there with the best. 
My dream is to be on a plane, just like that famous scene in Adam Sandler’s blockbuster movie The Wedding Singer. When I’m flying to LA and over the Tannoy, I hear Billy Idol announcing we are flying at 33,000 feet, and he sings to me. One day…
Huge thanks to Sharon Chevin and Austin Collins and a special mention to all of my media mates who came along and made the backstage bash extra special – Rob Ferguson, Paul Davies, Dave Gulvin, Manuela, Awais Butt, Whitney Ribbins and my metal bro Dom Z.
And a special mention to super fans Graham and Alex, who kindly gave me a seat. Billy Idol fans are the best.
