Category Archives: Classic Gigs

Siouxsie & The Banshees / The Human League, London Rainbow Theatre, 7th April, 1979

Posted on August 31, 2020 by garylongden

Shows which are anticipated as Events rarely live up to expectations. This was an exception. Siouxsie was playing the gig as a benefit for the mental health charity Mencap. Raw punk had long since disappeared into the ether, in its … Continue reading →

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The Boomtown Rats – Leeds, 1977

Posted on June 9, 2020 by garylongden

  The Boomtown Rats Oct 17th, ,1977 Leeds Poly The summer of 77 unleashed a tsunami of Punk and New Wave debut albums, singles and tours. It was difficult to keep up. It seemed that every week there was something … Continue reading →

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The Stranglers – Leeds University, 7th June, 1978

Posted on May 8, 2020 by garylongden

  A band that were around Punk at its inception, were also outsiders from its inception. The Sex Pistols, the Clash and the Buzzcocks were the original fulcrum, lauded by the all powerful music press of the time. There were … Continue reading →

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The Buzzcocks / Slits/ Gang of Four / John Cooper Clarke, Leeds University Refectory. Mar 18th 1978

Posted on May 5, 2020 by garylongden

  In the summer of 76 only three bands mattered, The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Buzzcocks. Two years on the Buzzcocks still mattered. Their debut album, Another Music in a Different Kitchen had been released a week earlier. … Continue reading →

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Magazine, The Venue, Victoria, London 24th Nov 1978

Posted on May 5, 2020 by garylongden

1978 was one of the most exciting years in popular music, the year the pretenders found their feet, and new diverse talent emerged. Amongst the vanguard was Magazine. The old guard had been thrown out in 76/77, now the new … Continue reading →

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The Jam -Debut Tour, California Ballroom, Dunstable, 9th July, 1977

Posted on April 29, 2020 by garylongden

  This was my first ever punk gig. An avid reader of the music press it was quite clear that something was happening . I lived in provincial Bedford at the time, there were no venues putting on punk gigs. … Continue reading →

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David Bowie – Earthling Tour,Que Club, Birmingham,1997

Posted on April 29, 2020 by garylongden

I did not normally buy the Birmingham Evening Mail. But that day I needed to check the property pages , bought it at lunchtime, and sat down to read it with a sandwich. Tucked away, in a small box advert … Continue reading →

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David Bowie – Stage/ Isolar 2 Tour, Earls Court, London 29/6 & 1/7/78

Posted on April 28, 2020 by garylongden

It had been barely two years since I had last seen Bowie, on the Isolar / Station to Station tour. During that time he had released another two albums which had changed the musical landscape, Low and Heroes. Simultaneously, punk … Continue reading →

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David Bowie – Wembley Empire Pool, London, Fri May7th 1976

Posted on April 26, 2020 by garylongden

  The six shows had sold out in an instant. Bowie was in creative maelstrom mode. Six albums released in a four- year period from Ziggy onwards, each one packed with a dizzying array of ideas and musical references. Ziggy … Continue reading →

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Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Wembley Arena

Posted on April 18, 2020 by garylongden

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Wembley Arena 30th May 1981 I had been just too young to catch Bruce for his debut London appearance at the Hammersmith Odeon at which he had been billed the future of … Continue reading →

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