Upcoming Billy Idol dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Who Billy Idol is and what kind of show you are buying
Billy Idol is the English singer born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, Middlesex. He came out of the London punk scene of the late 1970s, became one of the defining faces of early MTV in the 1980s, and today tours amphitheaters and arenas with a hit-heavy rock show. A ticket buys the songs most fans know by heart ("White Wedding," "Rebel Yell," "Dancing with Myself," "Eyes Without a Face"), played by a loud band built around guitarist Steve Stevens.
He formed Generation X with Tony James after a brief spell in the band Chelsea in 1976; Generation X released three studio albums on Chrysalis Records. In 1981 he moved to New York, teamed with Stevens, and launched the solo career that produced his biggest records. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2023 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2026 alongside Stevens.
The records the set list draws on
Idol's live set leans on the 1980s, with a few newer songs mixed in. The albums behind it:
- Billy Idol (1982): the debut, carried by the MTV hits "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding."
- Rebel Yell (1983): the title track and "Eyes Without a Face," which reached number 4 in the US.
- Whiplash Smile (1986): "To Be a Lover," a number 6 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Charmed Life (1990): "Cradle of Love," which peaked at number 2.
- Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014) and Dream Into It (2025): the later records, the second featuring Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett and Alison Mosshart, and charting at number 2 in Germany.
A 2025 documentary, Billy Idol Should Be Dead, premiered at the Tribeca Festival in June 2025 and traces his path from Chelsea and Generation X through addiction and family life, which has brought a new wave of interest to the live shows.
Recent tours, dated
The tours below are documented in the sources for this page. The live event list on this page shows any current dates.
- Roadside Tour (2022): a postponed run that reached the UK in October 2022 with Killing Joke and Toyah opening.
- North American tour (March 30 to May 20, 2023): opened in Scottsdale and closed at the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena.
- It's a Nice Day to Tour Again (from April 2025): a North American tour with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, with New Model Army supporting European dates. As of the official tour page, the September 2025 US leg mixed amphitheaters (including the Greek Theatre in Berkeley) with arenas such as Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, the Kia Forum in Inglewood and MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, followed by Latin American dates in October and November 2025.
Where to sit at a Billy Idol concert
Idol's tours move between outdoor amphitheaters and indoor arenas, so check which kind of building your date is in.
Amphitheaters
- Front reserved sections or the pit: the closest view of Idol and Stevens trading the spotlight. Some sheds sell the front as a standing pit; the listing will say.
- Rear reserved seats under the roof: covered, centered and usually good for sound; a solid middle option.
- The lawn: the value choice, general admission on a slope behind the seats. Arrive early for a spot near center, bring a blanket where allowed and expect to watch much of the show on the screens.
Arenas
- Floor: closest to the stage but flat, so the back half relies on the screens.
- Lower-bowl sides near the stage: the strongest reserved seats, raised and close, with a good angle on the guitar solos.
- Lower bowl facing the stage: farther back but square to the stage and usually near the soundboard, where the mix is best.
Avoid seats right beside or behind the stage unless they are clearly sold as side view; speaker stacks block much of the stage there.
How demand for Billy Idol tickets behaves
Legacy rock tickets follow a different curve from pop tours.
- Front sections move first, the lawn last. Longtime fans buy close seats early. Lawn and upper-level seats often remain through show week and can soften on resale.
- Co-bills widen the audience. Pairing with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts in 2025 gave each date two draws, which tends to lift demand across the house.
- Fan-club and VIP packages sell early. The official site has offered meet-and-greet and merchandise packages at purchase, which take some premium inventory off the general sale.
- Milestones lift interest. The documentary, the 2025 album and the 2026 Hall of Fame induction all put him back in the news, which tends to pull in fans who have not seen him in decades.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Billy Idol's real name?
He was born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, Middlesex, England.
Who plays guitar with Billy Idol?
Steve Stevens, his partner since Idol moved to New York in 1981. The two were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together in 2026.
Did Billy Idol tour with Joan Jett?
Yes. His It's a Nice Day to Tour Again North American tour, which began in April 2025, featured Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
What are the best seats for a Billy Idol concert?
Front reserved seats in an amphitheater or lower-bowl sides near the stage in an arena. The lawn and upper level are the value tiers.
What songs does Billy Idol play live?
His shows center on 1980s hits such as White Wedding, Rebel Yell, Dancing with Myself, Eyes Without a Face and Cradle of Love, plus newer material from Dream Into It. Set lists vary by night.