Indeed, the ability to make the colossal arena feel like one small sweaty club venue is a particular feature of tonight’s show. He and the band continually move around the elaborate stage setup with its Metropolis-style dystopian cityscape background, and the continual interaction between bandmates is a highlight of the performance, harking back to an age where musicians shared the smallest of stages. His band (lead by his long term collaborator, extraordinary Steven Stevens on guitar an endless stream of forceful and evocative licks) are supremely drilled and sit perfectly in the middle of being utterly professional and yet just the right level of loose and carefree to make you able to revel in the punk energy. Opening up with the Generation X classic Dancing With Myself, he seems remarkably frozen in time – still possessing the effortless moves, cool and style he has always carried with him. And when Billy Idol finally takes the stage, the crowd response is quite extraordinary. There is a rising sense of anticipation as the DJ spins classic Eddie Cochran tunes and we wait for the arrival of tonight’s headline act. As they finish the show, Jaz thanks the audience and thanks Manchester as a city, whilst Youth has the final word, telling the crowd “I love this city”. They have a perfect dynamic balance between themselves and they seem as if they are thoroughly enjoying every minute, revelling in their underdog role.

Youth’s bass parts slice through the tracks and provide a continuous anchor to the glorious industrial churn of the music above. Their status as pioneers of the post-punk and industrial genre is undeniable and tonight’s set is a perfect mix of pummelling, insistent drums, dense swathes of buzzsaw guitar and Jaz Coleman’s singular vocals – a blend of profound mystery, confined threat and sepulchral theatre. Killing Joke – brought in at last minute to replace Television – play the whole set like they are the headline act, and we are all better for it. It is absolutely everything you want from an opening act and a genuine pleasure to see a true pop icon open the proceedings. She is a commanding presence both vocally and visually and the set is short but perfectly shaped, with her classic singles It’s a Mystery, Thunder On The Mountains and the closing I Want To Be Free sitting perfectly together with a sublime version of Echo Beach, and new song Space Dance rattles with a delightful glam rock stomp. She is a unique and charismatic performer full of stories about the early days of punk shaping her as an artist and her experience of meeting Billy Idol back in the day.

It’s an early start as Toyah hits the stage right on the stroke of 7pm and the early start is well worth the effort.

Billy idol johnny rotten