Live Review: Billy Idol @ Merriweather Post Pavilion — 8/22/25

There’s something about cool summer nights at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The lawn packed with blankets and coolers, the pavilion buzzing with beer lines and conversations that stretch over decades of friendship — it’s a Maryland tradition as much as it is a venue. But on Friday, Billy Idol turned Columbia’s iconic amphitheater into his own personal rock-and-roll cathedral.

Leather jacket, peroxide hair, fist raised — Idol looked every bit the icon we wanted him to be. And maybe that’s the secret. He’s not just surviving; he’s thriving, still delivering a performance that makes you forget for two hours that rock ever had a supposed expiration date. The night kicked off with “Still Dancing,” a fitting opener that immediately set the tone: Idol isn’t here to stand still. The crowd roared to life, fists pumping before the first chorus hit. From there, “Cradle of Love” sent everyone into memory mode — middle-aged fans belting lyrics like they were back in high school, teenagers discovering the thrill of a chorus that was written before they were born.

And then came “Flesh for Fantasy,” which still smolders live, Steve Stevens carving out those guitar licks like fire across the surprisingly cool August air. There’s something about Stevens’ presence — half wizard, half gunslinger — that still makes him one of rock’s most underrated guitarists. Watching Idol and Stevens trade energy is like seeing two sides of the same coin; they’re inseparable, co-conspirators in mischief and melody.

Watch the official music video for “Flesh for Fantasy” by Billy Idol on YouTube:

It’s worth pausing here to talk about Merriweather itself. On a good night, the sound hits just right — warm, balanced, and loud enough to rattle the pavilion’s steel without muddying the vocals. Friday was one of those nights. Idol’s voice carried perfectly, still raspy and biting, but with a surprising tenderness when the songs demanded it.

That tenderness was on full display during “Eyes Without a Face,” and for a few minutes the hard edges of punk gave way to something almost fragile. Idol leaned into it, eyes closed, delivering a performance that felt genuine, not just rote nostalgia.

Of course, sentimentality only lasts so long in a Billy Idol show. As the final notes rang out, the band launched into “Mony Mony,” and the place exploded. It wasn’t just a song — it was a party. Fans from the pavilion seats to the back of the lawn were on their feet, shouting the infamous crowd chants that have followed the song for decades.

While the setlist leaned heavily on the classics, Idol sprinkled in moments that reminded everyone he’s still writing new songs, still restless. “77” and “Too Much Fun” felt punchy, urgent, and raw — songs that might not have the decades of radio play behind them, but carried enough grit to prove he’s not coasting.

Watch the official music visualizer for “77” by Billy Idol featuring Avril Lavigne on YouTube:

A cover of “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and his own “Blue Highway” showed a different shade of Idol — more reflective, less sneer, but no less compelling. These tracks gave the night some breathing room, a reminder that his catalog stretches beyond the jukebox staples.

Then there was “Ready Steady Go,” a Generation X track that served as a sly nod to his punk roots. It was fast, furious, and a welcome curveball. The younger fans in the audience might not have caught the history lesson, but longtime followers ate it up.

Steve Stevens, of course, is half the show. His extended solo spot midway through reminded everyone why he remains one of the most underrated guitarists of his era. He mixed flamenco runs, feedback squalls, and classic rock heroics into one seamless showcase — showy but never self-indulgent.

The rest of the band deserves equal credit. Billy Morrison (rhythm guitar) kept the foundation tight, while Stephen McGrath’s bass and Erik Eldenius’ drumming gave the songs their punch. Paul Trudeau fleshed out the arrangements on keys, adding atmosphere to “Eyes Without a Face” and muscle to “Rebel Yell.” Together, they were a reminder that Idol’s catalog is built on more than hooks and sneers — these are muscular, road-tested rock songs designed to rattle an amphitheater.

The real fireworks came in the final stretch. When the opening riff of “Rebel Yell” hit, the entire pavilion lit up. Idol prowled the stage, that trademark snarl plastered across his face, as Stevens shredded solos with the precision of someone who could do it in his sleep but chooses to make it dangerous every time.

Watch the official music video for “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol on YouTube:

“Dancing With Myself” kept the momentum high, the crowd bouncing like the pavilion had suddenly transformed into a sweaty nightclub circa 1982. And then “Hot in the City” landed. The line “hot in the city, hot in the city tonight” took on a cheeky, literal meaning as his back up singers waved fans and wiped sweat from their brows.

“People That I Love” felt like a warm embrace near the end of the set, a reminder that Idol’s career has always been sustained not just by attitude, but by connection.

And then, the inevitable closer: “White Wedding.” As those iconic opening chords rang out, you could see people hugging, people jumping and screaming. It wasn’t just a performance — it was a rock and roll ritual. Idol leaned into it with all the swagger of a man who knows he’s closing with one of rock’s most enduring anthems. Fireworks weren’t necessary; the song itself was the finale.

What struck me most about the night was how little Idol has softened. Plenty of his peers have leaned fully into nostalgia, delivering tidy, museum-ready versions of their catalogs. Idol, by contrast, still feels dangerous. The sneer isn’t an act — it’s his whole mode of existence. He banters with the crowd, flashes genuine smiles, but the edge never dulls. He’s a performer in his late 60s who can still command a stage better than most rock hopefuls half his age.

Part of that comes from Stevens, still playing like he has something to prove. Part of it comes from Idol’s refusal to sand down his roughness. But mostly, it’s the energy — the conviction that rock ’n’ roll is supposed to make you feel alive, sweaty, reckless. That hasn’t changed. And maybe that’s why we keep showing up, year after year. Because Idol doesn’t just play the hits — he makes us believe in them all over again.

Setlist

1. Still Dancing
2. Cradle of Love
3. Flesh for Fantasy
4. 77
5. Eyes Without a Face
6. Mony Mony
7. Love Don’t Live Here Anymore
8. Too Much Fun
9. Ready Steady Go
10. Blue Highway
11. Rebel Yell
12. Dancing With Myself
13. Hot in the City
14. People That I Love
15. White Wedding

Here are some photos of Billy Idol performing live at Merriweather Post Pavilion on August 22, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography.