Adam Ant

Adam Ant – Roundhouse, Camden – November 2nd 2025

Tickets were bought back in 2023 for a gig meant to happen in 2024, which of course got kicked into 2025. Typical. By the time it finally rolled around, Hammy was the designated driver so off we went to Colchester to pick up the train into London. It was just me and Neil on the beers.

We made our way into Camden and decided to do it properly – a wander through the backstreets, first stop The Dublin Castle, one of those pubs every half-decent band in the 70s and 80s seemed to have played at before they were famous. Madness were practically the house band, Amy Winehouse propped up the bar more than once, and the carpet has seen more famous hangovers than the Brits aftershow. First pint there – lovely, historic, sticky.

We walked up to Kentish Town and ducked into the Abbey Tavern for tea. Jerk chicken. Proper stuff too – all smoke, spice, and no messing about. A couple more pints, naturally, then a short walk to the venue – The Camden Roundhouse – one of those legendary old railway turntables turned music temples. The Doors, Bowie, Hendrix, Zep – they’ve all blasted the brickwork at some point. It’s seen more comebacks than Tyson Fury and more egos than Glastonbury’s VIP bar.

Support was Toyah, and she was bloody brilliant. A proper punk pocket rocket who still attacks a stage like it owes her money. Bit of trivia: before she was the queen of 80s new-wave pop, she’d been in Quadrophenia and Jubilee and once shared a bill with The Stranglers when they got bottled off. She rattled through her set like a woman half her age – full of fire, noise, and charisma. Free bus pass or not, she owned that stage.

Then came Adam Ant himself. For about 18 months in the early 80s he was the biggest pop star on the planet – white stripe across the nose, pirate jackets, the full pantomime – yet most of us casual fans only really know the hits from Top of the Pops. Still, when he strutted out there was a definite sense of occasion.

Prince Charming

Antmusic

There’d been the usual social-media grumbling about his voice, but honestly? He was fine. More than fine. Bit rough around the edges, but who isn’t these days? The man’s a survivor, not a karaoke machine. He gave it full tilt through “Prince Charming,” “Antmusic,” “Stand and Deliver”.

The crowd loved it, and so did we – though, if I’m honest, Toyah just edged it as star of the night. She had that spark – the rawness, the attitude – that made the night feel like something special. Adam was great, nostalgic and loud, but Toyah felt alive.

All told, a cracking night – good mates, proper beer, top tunes, and another tick on the gig list at one of London’s finest venues. Worth the wait, even if it took three calendar years to get there.