Last night, I saw Billy Idol and Joan Jett at Madison Square Garden.

It was my first time being back at the Garden since I finished my tenure as an usher last month, and it felt like coming home. It was great seeing so many old friends and being back in my favorite venue in the world.

Now on to the show itself. Joan Jett opened the show, arriving on stage just after 7:30. Decked out in her trademark leather and black bangs, powered through a vigorous hour long set that mixed covers, new material, and classics such as “I Love Rock and Roll” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” The band sounded punchy and tight, and Jett’s voice has retained its trademark grit and snarl. While she spent most of her set stationary, she still emanated a ton of youthful energy, slashing at her guitar and belting out every song with gusto.

Idol came on at 9:00 on the dot, and didn’t let up for the entire hour and a half. The 69 year old worked every wing of the stage like he was 20, making sure everyone in the crowd got a glimpse of the well preserved punk icon, who still sports his trademark blonde spikes and dark leather vests. Running, skipping, jumping, vamping, and most importantly singing with ageless alacrity, Idol was a true showman who delivered the songs fans wanted to hear with the same conviction and quality as when he first recorded them. “Cradle of Love” got the crowd rocking early, and a gorgeous “Eyes Without a Face” enveloped the Garden with its smoky intimacy.

He also performed four songs from his new album, which fit in amazingly well alongside evergreen classics like “White Wedding” and his signature cover of “Mony Mony” (the second Tommy James and the Shondells cover of the evening, after Jett’s take on “Crimson and Clover”). His longtime sidekick, guitarist Steve Stevens, got ample time to show off his axe chops, running the gauntlet from the flamenco inspired intro to “Eyes Without a Face” to a lengthy solo spot that incorporated covers of Zeppelin and Van Halen.

Overall, it was a fun and engaging evening of brutish, nasty rock and roll from two icons of the 1980s’ punk / new wave scene, both of whom have somehow managed to make a deal with time to still be putting on such great, energetic shows at their advanced ages. If you have a chance to see it, dance with yourself on over to the nearest box office and fall in love with rock and roll all over again.