It Was Indeed A Nice Day To Tour Again

Billy Idol brings the “It’s a Nice Day to Tour Again” to the Toyota Amphitheatre in Wheatland, CA on 9/17/25

September 18, 2025 - I had the absolute pleasure of attending the It’s A Nice Day To Tour Again show last night at the Toyota Amphitheatre in Wheatland, California, featuring Billy Idol with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. The venue was packed with fans—80’s and 90’s babies like me, along with their kids and even grandkids—ready for a night of pure rock nostalgia. The weather was hot and muggy, and by the time I sat down, I was already misty with “Sweat. Sweat. Sweat.” Thankfully, the amphitheatre has a spray park right at the entrance, which helped a little. Of course, some of the heat might have also been from Dancing With Myself!

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts kicked off the night, and from the first chord, it was clear we were in for something special. Jett is the epitome of badass women in rock, and her presence on stage was magnetic. The band powered through a 15-song set packed with classics, each one delivered with sharp precision and raw energy.

The crowd went wild when I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll began—it turned into a massive sing-along with Joan herself. That’s not an everyday experience, and everyone in the amphitheatre knew it was a moment to remember. The Blackhearts’ sound remains incredibly tight, proof of their staying power since 1979. As someone who champions women in rock and metal, finally seeing Joan Jett live was a bucket-list experience I’ll never forget.

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Setlist:

·         Victim of Circumstance

·         Cherry Bomb

·         Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)

·         You Drive Me Wild

·         Change the World

·         Fake Friends

·         (Make the Music Go) Boom

·         Lie to Me

·         Androgynous

·         Love Is Pain

·         Everyday People

·         I Love Rock 'n' Roll

·         Crimson & Clover

·         I Hate Myself for Loving You

·         Bad Reputation

Band Members:

·         Joan Jett – lead vocals, rhythm guitar

·         Dougie Needles – lead guitar, backing vocals

·         Hal B. Selzer – bass, backing vocals

·         Michael McDermott – drums

Billy Idol

At 9:00 sharp, the lights dimmed and the screen lit up with Billy Idol’s iconic platinum-blonde head as drummer Erik Eldenius pounded out a wicked opening beat. Lasers cut through the dark as Idol stormed the stage, clad in all black leather, launching straight into Still Dancing. The crowd absolutely erupted.

Throughout the set, Idol’s rebel spirit burned just as brightly as ever. He commanded the stage with charisma and grit, trading playful banter with band member Steve Stevens and delivering hit after hit. Guitar legend Steve Stevens tore through blistering riffs that had the entire amphitheatre on its feet, while the rest of the band poured every ounce of energy into the performance.

A mid-show wardrobe change during Flesh for Fantasy added to the spectacle, making the whole night feel like a feast for both the eyes and ears. For those of us who grew up with Billy Idol and Joan Jett, this show was a reminder that some legends never fade—they only get sharper with age.

Friends unlocking a core moment at the show.

Billy Idol Setlist:

·         Still Dancing

·         Cradle of Love

·         Flesh for Fantasy

·         77

·         Eyes Without a Face

·         Mony Mony

·         Gimme Shelter

·         Too Much Fun

·         Ready Steady Go

·         Blue Highway

·         Rebel Yell

·         Dancing With Myself

·         Hot in the City

·         People I Love

·         White Wedding

Band Members:

·         Billy Idol – vocals

·         Steve Stevens – guitar

·         Stephen McGrath – bass, backing vocals

·         Billy Morrison – guitar, backing vocals

·         Erik Eldenius – drums

·         Paul Trudeau – keyboards, backing vocals

Final Thoughts

Last night wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration of rock history. Both Joan Jett and Billy Idol proved that their music still resonates, still ignites, and still rocks as hard as ever. My middle-school self is beyond thrilled, and my grown-up self is grateful to still be Dancing With Myself to two of the greatest icons in rock.

If you missed this tour, I genuinely feel sorry for you—there are only a few shows left. Do yourself a favor, though and check out billyidol.net, grab some merch, and keep these legends alive in your playlist.