Editing Adam Ant (section)

===2010–2012: Independent label and return to touring===
{{overly detailed|section|date=November 2024}}
[[File:Adam Ant 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Adam Ant on stage in 2011]]
On 4 March 2010, Adam Ant registered his new label Blue Black Hussar Ltd. as a [[private limited company]] at [[Companies House]].<ref name="Failure Page">{{cite web|url=http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/a49ab31ca9ff0004090d365580ee13e0/compdetails|title=Failure Page|website=Wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006081343/http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/a49ab31ca9ff0004090d365580ee13e0/compdetails|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> That month also marked a return to live music. Ant's first live performance since The Bloomsbury in 2007 was at Through The Looking Glass bookshop in London on 18 March, at which he played "Ants Invasion", "[[Cartrouble]]", "Physical", and a cover of [[Iggy Pop]]'s "[[The Passenger (song)|The Passenger]]". A day later, on 19 March, Ant guested at a [[Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction]] gig at the Pipeline Bar, London E1, in which he provided lead vocals for the band's Top 20 hit "Prime Mover".<ref name="gigs2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/2010.html |title=2010 |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313134131/http://www.adam-ant.net/2010.html |archive-date=13 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Ant performed another low key show at the [[Southwark Playhouse]] on Saturday 20 March.<ref name="gigs2010" /> During the intervals Ant talked about [[Sony Records]], how he rejected an alleged £2.6&nbsp;million [[O2 (UK)|O2]] deal, and a new album collaboration with [[Chris McCormack (guitarist)|Chris McCormack]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adamandtheants.org/ant-news/adam-ant-appearance-zodiac-mindwarp |title=Adam Ant Appearance with Zodiac Mindwarp |website=Adamandtheants.org |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426055250/http://www.adamandtheants.org/ant-news/adam-ant-appearance-zodiac-mindwarp |archive-date=26 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ant played a sold-out headline concert, dubbed The Pirate Metal Extravaganza at the [[Scala (club)|Scala]] in London on 30 April.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.adam-ant.net/april10.html | title=Adam-ant.net – April 2010 News }}</ref> He also performed some smaller [[guerilla gig]]s in Autumn 2010, which received no advance billing, including a solo show at the Dark Mills festival at London's Colour House Theatre on 4 September 2010, the launch party of the Illamasqua store on 16 September (at which [[Boy George]] served as DJ), and a guest spot at the [[Monster Raving Loony Party]]'s annual conference in [[Fleet, Hampshire]], on 25 September. On 21 October, Ant performed at the [[Union Chapel, Islington|Union Chapel]], London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#union |title=Latest News |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031748/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#union |archive-date=10 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ant headlined at the Scala again on 18 November,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=1475 |title=Event |publisher=Scala London |date=18 November 2010 |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302152613/http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=1475 |archive-date=2 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> joined by a trio of female backing singers. The gig received positive reviews and three days later again topped the bill at a tribute concert for former Ant Matthew Ashman on 21 November at the same venue, in a show also featuring later Ashman bands Bow Wow Wow, [[Chiefs of Relief]], [[Agent Provocateur (band)|Agent Provocateur]] and London rock act Slam Cartel. Ant was back playing live two days later on 23 December, when he and backing vocalist [[Georgina Baillie|Georgina Baillee]] guested onstage at the Christmas party of West Rocks at Shepherds Bar in [[Shepherd's Bush]] and played live again at Proud, [[Camden Town|Camden]] on 5 January 2011<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.zani.co.uk/reviews.aspx?id=220 |url-status= dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005033754/http://www.zani.co.uk/reviews.aspx?id=220 |archive-date=5 October 2011 |title= Adam Ant; ZANI – Stands Proud| date= January 2011| website= Zani.co.uk | access-date= March 27, 2017}}</ref> and at [[Madame Jojo's]] in [[Soho]] on 17 January.<ref name=whatsnew>{{cite web |url=http://adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html |title=Latest News |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970621041510/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html |archive-date=21 June 1997 |url-status=live }}</ref> He finished the month by playing further dates of his World Tour of London with a two-night stand at the [[100 Club]] on 26 and 27 January 2011.<ref name=proudc>{{cite web |url=http://www.adamandtheants.org/ant-news/adam-ant-plays-free-gig-proud-camden |title=Adam Ant Plays Free Gig at Proud, Camden |website=Adamandtheants.org |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317000808/http://www.adamandtheants.org/ant-news/adam-ant-plays-free-gig-proud-camden |archive-date=17 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html |title=Latest News |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031748/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html |archive-date=10 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ant spent time in Paris where he played low-key shows (his first gigs outside the UK in nearly 16 years.).<ref name="net2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/2011.html |title=2011 |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313134101/http://www.adam-ant.net/2011.html |archive-date=13 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 29 March 2011, [[BBC Radio 4]] transmitted an interview of Ant by [[John Humphrys]] for the ''On the Ropes'' series in which Ant discussed his bipolar condition and its impact on his career. That same day, Ant held a press conference and media preview gig at Under The Bridge in [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]] at which he formally unveiled plans for an eleven date UK concert tour (as with the Paris concert, the first such event in 16 years) due to run from 16 May to 4 June 2011. Also announced at the Chelsea event was a public screening of the December 1981 Prince Charming Revue concert video plus a question-and-answer session to be held in [[South London]]'s [[Coronet Cinema]] on 11 May 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/images/aatourtm.jpg |title=Adam Ant & The Good The Mad & The Lovely Posse |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808182244/http://www.adam-ant.net/images/aatourtm.jpg |archive-date=8 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> By the time the tour got underway on 16 May in [[Brighton]], the original eleven date itinerary had been expanded to fifteen dates.<ref name="net2011" />  Ant completed the schedule of tour dates<ref name="robbmanc" /> which were overwhelmingly enthusiastically received.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/may/25/adam-ant-academy-sheffield-review | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Dave | last=Simpson | title=Adam Ant – review | date=26 May 2011 | access-date=13 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220164518/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/may/25/adam-ant-academy-sheffield-review | archive-date=20 December 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref>

There was one negative onstage incident at Fat Sam's in [[Dundee]] on 21 May 2011 when Ant reacted angrily to some crowd elements who booed his kilt decorated with the [[St George's Cross]].<ref name="dundee">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Living/Music/article/14228/adam-ant-finally-unplugs-the-jukebox-as-fat-sam-s-heckling-wears-thin.html |title=Adam Ant finally unplugs the jukebox as Fat Sam's heckling wears thin |website=The Courier |access-date=11 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329031851/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Living/Music/article/14228/adam-ant-finally-unplugs-the-jukebox-as-fat-sam-s-heckling-wears-thin.html |archive-date=29 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The tour closed in [[Manchester]] on 5 June with a show at the city's [[Manchester Academy]].<ref name= robbmanc>{{cite web |url=http://louderthanwar.com/blogs/20-thoughts-during-adam-ants-brilliant-manchester-gig |title=20 thoughts during Adam Ant's brilliant Manchester gig |website=LouderThanWar.com |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128214917/http://louderthanwar.com/blogs/20-thoughts-during-adam-ants-brilliant-manchester-gig |archive-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=live |date=6 June 2011 }}</ref>

[[File:Adam Ant, G-Live Guoldford.jpg|thumb|Adam Ant at G-Live, [[Guildford]], December 2011]] The Seaside Tour follow-up to the main UK tour and a warm-up to Ant's appearance at [[Hard Rock Calling#Hard Rock Calling 2011|Hard Rock Calling 2011]] in [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], London, on 26 June 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#hardrock |title=Latest News |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031748/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#hardrock |archive-date=10 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> third on the bill to [[Rod Stewart]] and [[Stevie Nicks]] before an audience of 45,000.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Lily |author2=Keenan |url=http://londoncosmopolitan.blogspot.com/2011/06/hard-rock-calling-2011.html |title=London Cosmopolitan: Hard Rock Calling 2011 |website=Londoncosmopolitan.blogspot.com |date=27 June 2011 |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326115959/http://londoncosmopolitan.blogspot.com/2011/06/hard-rock-calling-2011.html |archive-date=26 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ant later slotted in some more solo gigs, including the Soho Festival in London's [[Wardour Street]] on 11 July.<ref name="net2011" /><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.artreview.com/profiles/blogs/soho-festival-2011 | url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110820053734/http://www.artreview.com/profiles/blogs/soho-festival-2011 |date= July 2011| title= Soho Festival 2011| archive-date=August 20, 2011| access-date= March 27, 2017 }}</ref>

Ant also announced a follow-up UK tour (described as the "second leg" of the 2011 tour), initially scheduled to run for twelve dates from 11 November 2011 in [[Bristol]] until 13 December 2011 in [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#newtour |title=Latest News |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031748/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#newtour |archive-date=10 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> As with the previous leg, Ant passed the time until the tour playing one-off dates, appearing with his tour band in [[Bedford]] on 10 September<ref name="net2011" /> before three days later reuniting with 2010 band members Will Crewdson and Johnny Love for a charity show on board {{HMS|Belfast}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/2011130911.html |title=2011130911 – HMS Belfast |website=Adam-ant.net |date=13 September 2011 |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812022909/http://www.adam-ant.net/2011130911.html |archive-date=12 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> As with the previous tour, the itinerary was expanded from the initial 12 dates to an eventual 21 dates running from 10 November in [[Frome]] until 16 December in [[Norwich]].<ref name="net2011" /> Just three days after the final Norwich date of the tour, Ant was back onstage again with two members of his live band on 19 December at a charity event at [[Ronnie Scott's]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://adam-ant.net/2011191211.html |title=2011191211 – Ronnie Scotts |website=Adam-ant.net |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617072159/http://www.adam-ant.net/2011191211.html |archive-date=17 June 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first record release of Ant's 2010s comeback also occurred at this point, with the release of the ''Sex Drugs and HIV'' compilation album featuring Ant's version of "Get a Grip" which had been recorded a year earlier while the World Tour of London was in progress.<ref>{{cite web |title=Latest News |url=https://www.adam-ant.net/sexdrugsandhiv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031748/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#hiv |archive-date=10 April 2010 |access-date=11 April 2012 |website=Adam-ant.net}}</ref>

A few days before the end of the second leg of his UK tour, it was officially announced that Ant would make his return to the US with a 15-date North American tour in February 2012, starting on 2 February in Ant's former adopted hometown of Los Angeles and running until 25 February in nearby [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]].<ref name=whatsnew /> A few days into the new year, however, it was announced that the tour was postponed until the autumn.<ref name="net2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/2012.html |title=2012 |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722010457/http://www.adam-ant.net/2012.html |archive-date=22 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> A five-date warm-up UK mini tour for Ant and his band nonetheless went ahead for 19–24 January 2012.<ref name=whatsnew />

An exhibition of photographs of Ant – titled ''Adam Ant – Dandy in the Underworld'' ran from 7 March 2012 to 29 April 2012 at Proud Camden in London, featuring images of Ant throughout his career, including the work of Chris Duffy, Gerard McNamara, [[Jill Furmanovsky]], Denis O'Regan, Chris Cuffaro, Hannah Domagala, Robert Matheu, David Corio and [[Janette Beckman]].  To promote this exhibition, Ant performed a solo charity concert at the gallery on 6 March<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.m-magazine.co.uk/news/general-news/adam-ant-photo-exhibition/ |title=Adam Ant photo exhibition |website=M-magazine.co.uk |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204232957/http://www.m-magazine.co.uk/news/general-news/adam-ant-photo-exhibition/ |archive-date=4 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> with the same two band members as the [[Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club]] concert from the previous December. The concert was well received, although an inebriated [[Chrissie Hynde]] who was in attendance, heckled throughout the performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holymoly.com/music/news/chrissie-hynde-heckles-adam-ant-intimate-camden-charity-gig62061 |title=Chrissie Hynde heckles Adam Ant at intimate Camden charity gig |website=Holy Moly! |access-date=11 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412133525/http://www.holymoly.com/music/news/chrissie-hynde-heckles-adam-ant-intimate-camden-charity-gig62061 |archive-date=12 April 2012 }}</ref> While this exhibition was on, Ant took his band on tour to Australia with an initial five date schedule spread over a two-week period from 23 March to 8 April, taking in [[Sydney]], [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], [[Melbourne]], [[Adelaide]] and [[Brisbane]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#oz |title=Latest News |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031748/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#oz |archive-date=10 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> In mid February, Ant made a warm-up visit to Australia, including an appearance on the ''[[Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight]]'' show recorded on 13 February 2012 for transmission on 15 February<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/adamhillsIGST/stories/s3427740.htm |title=Adam Ant – Special Guests – Adam Hills in Gordon St Tonight |website=ABC.net.au |date=15 February 2012 |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419015806/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/adamhillsIGST/stories/s3427740.htm |archive-date=19 April 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and promotional work in Melbourne and Sydney.<ref name="auspromo">{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#australiapromo |title=Latest News |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031748/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#australiapromo |archive-date=10 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Although poor ticket sales forced the cancellation of the Adelaide gig,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/confidential/adelaide-not-the-right-ants-nest/story-e6fredq3-1226280981258 |title=Adelaide not the right ants' nest |website=Adelaide Now |date=25 February 2012 |access-date=11 April 2012}}</ref> the remaining four concerts all went ahead. The ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' gave a reservedly positive review of the opening Sydney date on 23 March (which it rated three stars out of five), noting "In a set plus two encores (the first cheered for; the second not really but played anyway) comprising 30 songs, it was kind of the equivalent of throwing a lot of make-up at the mirror and seeing what stuck."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/much-less-bite-but-this-ant-still-inspires-20120325-1vsn7.html |title=Much less bite but this Ant still inspires |website=Smh.com.au |date=26 March 2012 |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328041910/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/much-less-bite-but-this-ant-still-inspires-20120325-1vsn7.html |archive-date=28 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ant also made further Australian TV appearances including a return to ''Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight'' recorded on 26 March for transmission on 28 March, including live performances of "Stand and Deliver" and new album track "Vince Taylor" with his full band.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.starobserver.com.au/celebrity-2/2012/03/08/abc-hosts-mass-same-sex-tv-wedding/73663 | title= ABC hosts mass same-sex TV wedding | website= Starobserver.com.au | access-date= 11 April 2012 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120311050358/http://www.starobserver.com.au/celebrity-2/2012/03/08/abc-hosts-mass-same-sex-tv-wedding/73663 | archive-date= 11 March 2012 | url-status= live | date= 8 March 2012 }}</ref>

[[File:Adam Ant Midtown.jpg|thumb|left|Adam Ant at [[Music Midtown]], [[Atlanta]], 2012]]
Subsequently, for the second year running, Ant was scheduled to make appearances on the summer festival circuit, interspersed with various one-off dates around the UK.  This got off to an early start when Ant stepped in as replacement headliner at the [[Bearded Theory]] festival in Derby on 18 May 2012, when the [[Levellers (band)|Levellers]] had to pull out due to one of the band members being injured. Ant also played the first full band concert in continental Europe of his 2010s comeback on 24 June 2012 at the [[Parkpop]] festival in the [[Zuiderpark (Rotterdam)|Zuiderpark]] in [[the Hague]], Netherlands, with his set broadcast on Dutch national TV.  After six assorted dates around the UK in early July, Ant's next major show was a headline slot at the [[Silverstone]] Classic Festival on 21 July<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#silverstone |title=Latest News: Silverstone Classic Festival |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031748/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#silverstone |archive-date=10 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> followed the next day by an appearance at Rewind in [[Perth]] and then at [[Camp Bestival]] on 27 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#bestival |title=Latest News: Bestival |website=Adam-ant.net |access-date=11 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410031748/http://www.adam-ant.net/whatsnew.html#bestival |archive-date=10 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The rest of the summer saw Ant mix festivals such as the [[Summer Sundae Weekender]] on 18 August, [[Solfest]] on 24 August and the [[Isle of Wight Festival 2012|Isle of Wight Festival]] with dates in such locations as [[Swindon]], [[Southend-on-Sea]], [[Warrington]] and [[Croydon]].<ref name="whatsnew" /><ref name="net2012" /> Later in the year, Ant's postponed US tour finally went ahead, commencing 13 September in Los Angeles and finishing on 20 October in nearby Anaheim. The third UK tour of the 2010s, the Blueblack Hussar Tour, commenced on 1 November in [[Glasgow]] and ran to 30 November at London's [[Shepherd's Bush Empire]].<ref name="whatsnew" /> During the tour, the first single of the new album was released – "Cool Zombie", with the formerly planned A-side "Gun in Your Pocket" now as the B-side. On New Year's Eve 2012, Ant and his full band appeared on [[Jools Holland]]'s [[Jools' Annual Hootenanny|''Hootenanny'']] New Year music show, performing new album track "Vince Taylor" as well as old hits "Stand And Deliver" and "Antmusic".{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}