The weather—gloomy, autumn-like—but still, crowds are flocking to the fortress, cheerful and eager for the spectacle ahead. Just one glance at the people around me tells me I’m neither among the youngest nor the oldest here. When the audience spans from teenagers to pensioners, it can mean only one thing—a music legend is about to perform.
I’m carried by the good energy around me as I show my ticket to the staff at the entrance of the standing area and slowly make my way toward the stage. Out of the corner of my eye, I glance at the fun pit—perhaps feeling a little envious—but okay, I didn’t have enough money to buy my place there. Here I am by the sound booth, satisfied with my spot. I can see the stage, and there are also two video screens on the sides to help out. People are standing under open umbrellas, which honestly annoys me a little—but okay, they said the rain would stop soon.
At 8:04 PM, one of my favorite Serbian punk rock bands, Goblini, takes the stage. After a brief greeting, the very first notes of “Anja, volim te” (Anja, I Love You) make me forget about the rain and the cold.
Billy Idol couldn’t have asked for a better opening act. Okay, I’m biased—but I’m the one writing this review ;).
They sound great—really great. Their music, as always, radiates energy and rebellion against everything wrong in the society. The atmosphere is excellent, but there’s one problem. When Goblini play, apart from the rhythm and rebellious spirit, you can’t really hear anything else. And now, I can hear people nearby casually chatting, just slightly raising their voices. The sound system isn’t great, but I believe it’ll improve by the time Billy performs. For now, I don’t mind—I’m enjoying the show as always.
The guys are flawless, their interaction with the crowd is excellent, and the songs flow logically, creating a harmonious set. After a little over an hour, we’ve reached the end together. The band thanked the crowd and announced the upcoming performance—the reason most people bought tickets in the first place. The stage was quickly set up, and then Billy Idol appeared. He was welcomed as all legends should be—with thunderous applause and cheering. After his cool greeting, the stage went dark, and with the first notes of music, a photo of young Billy appeared on the big screen behind him, illuminated by stage lights. I have to say—the lighting crew did an outstanding job throughout the concert.
However, the sound remained pretty underwhelming—about as loud as a house party thrown by a friend who lives in an apartment and doesn’t want to disturb the neighbours. But come on, we’re not indoors—we’re outdoors, and a show like this needs to roar. Moving on—the two video screens were way too narrow; they barely managed to show two band members at once, and that’s only if they stood right next to each other.
Billy sang well—it felt like he was defying both his age and the lifestyle he’s led. There were a few brief moments where his voice faltered, but only for a second. He’s a pro—he knows exactly when to let the audience sing instead of him. Guitarist Steve Stevens, on the other hand, showed no signs of slowing down. The two of them have been playing together for a long time, and Steve helped Billy write many songs. He even performed the Top Gun Antheme, which might be his most famous piece among the wider public. Billy mostly performed his classic hits but also surprised the audience with “77” from his new album. He recorded that song with Avril Lavigne, and honestly, it didn’t quite feel like it was written for him—but that’s just my opinion.
Then came “White Wedding,” and just as I fully got into the mood, Billy announced the end of the concert, thanking the crowd. When he left the stage, the audience seemed a bit stunned. Sure, he played for an hour and a half as announced, but I didn’t hear “Speed” or “Sweet Sixteen.” “He’ll definitely come back for an encore,” some people nearby said—but nothing happened. Billy doesn’t seem to know what an encore is.
As I was leaving, I glanced at the fun pit and thought, “Maybe the sound was better there.”
The day after, although there were some weak points during the concerts, I’m not sorry for being there because after all—Billy is a legend and a great performer.
Review by Jelena Dešić