Oi oi, stop what you’re doing – put the kettle down, chuck your Greggs sausage roll in the bin (actually, nah, eat it first), because we’ve got some massive news straight outta the rock ’n’ roll underworld.
Billy bloody Idol – the peroxide punk prince with a sneer sharper than a Swansea seagull’s beak – is back with a brand-new album in April 2025, his first in over a decade. And he’s not coming back quietly, oh no. He’s bringing Avril Lavigne and Joan Jett with him. 🤘
🥁 What’s Occurring?
It’s been 11 long years since Idol last gave us an album (Kings & Queens of the Underground in 2014 – tidy record that was, mind). He’s been touring, sneering, and reminding us that he’s still got more swagger than most frontmen half his age. But now, he’s ready to roar back into the spotlight with a little help from two rock ’n’ roll queens:
- Avril Lavigne – the pop-punk princess who made skateboarding cool and gave us more eyeliner inspo than Kerrang! in the 2000s. Expect her and Idol to cook up something spiky, catchy, and ready-made for festival singalongs. 🛹🎤
- Joan Jett – the leather-clad legend who literally wrote the book on badass riffs and rebellion. If you don’t think she’s about to bring some snarling guitar glory to Idol’s new tunes, you’re dafter than bin jousting at 3am in Steelhouse. ⚡️🎸
🎤 Why This Collab is Proper Job
Think about it, mun:
- Idol’s always lived in that sweet spot between punk and stadium rock.
- Avril represents a whole generation of mall-punk kids who grew up to still love loud guitars.
- Joan Jett is basically rebellion incarnate.
Put all three together and you’ve got a cross-generational riot that could bridge Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials all in one snarling package. Tidy! 🏴
🔥 What Can We Expect?
Idol hasn’t spilled the full tracklist yet (tease!), but the rumours are already flying:
- A big anthem with Avril that’ll probably have us all yelling in skate parks again.
- A gnarly, riff-heavy track with Joan Jett that’ll sound like a biker gang doing karaoke in hell (and we mean that as a compliment).
- And of course, plenty of classic Idol sneer – because let’s be real, the man hasn’t lost it.
We’d put money on a reimagined “Rebel Yell”-style banger, just with Avril screaming backing vocals and Joan ripping solos all over it. 😈
🍻 Why We’re Buzzing
Billy Idol could’ve just rested on his laurels, kept doing nostalgia tours, and still packed arenas. But nah – he’s out here proving he’s still hungry, still loud, and still ready to play with the new and the legendary.
April 2025 can’t come quick enough. This could easily be one of the most fun, raucous, and unexpected collabs we’ve seen in years. Imagine hearing White Wedding live with Joan and Avril on stage. Proper goosebump stuff, mun.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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