Adam Ant, Kings of The Wild Frontier tour, Barbican, York

CAN it really be 35 years since Adam and his Ants burst on to our TV screens with their tribal drumming, catchy guitar riffs and colourful costumes?

Their 1980 breakthrough album, Kings of the Wild Frontier, sold eight million copies, and spawned three massive hit singles, Dog Eat Dog, Ant Music and the title-track.

York's Barbican was sold out for this unique show - a performance of the iconic album in sequence. It was standing room only as the crowd of middle-agers (some with novelty pirate hats, buccaneer jackets and white stripes on their faces) ditched their seats to stomp along to Adam and his band (complete with trademark two drummers).

None of the original Ants were on stage, but that didn't detract from the near two-hour experience. It was always about Adam anyway, and his showmanship had not waned in the intervening decades, nor had his voice. There was plenty of swagger, leg stamping and hip swaying as he worked his way through the 12 songs from the album.

It was only after he had finished the last track that he addressed the audience. Soon, the jacket and billowing white shirt were ditched, leaving Adam in a black tour T-shirt, displaying his tattoos. Picking up his electric guitar, the crowd were treated to some earlier songs from his punk days and the Ants' first album, Dirk Wears White Sox.

A guitar-led version of Prince Charming saw Adam conducting the audience to sing the chorus acapella: "Prince Charming, Prince Charming, ridicule is nothing to be scared of. Don't you ever, don't you ever, stop being dandy, showing me your handsome."

Aged 61, dressed in leather trousers, with features still as sharp as a pirate's blade, it was a poignant moment indeed.