Bands: you were there at the beginning
Discussion
Currently enjoying seeing Nothing but Thieves become the success they deserve having been following them since they were playing in South Essex pubs.
Back in the early 80s, I went to the Marquee to see a band who were supported by an unknown act called Bon Jovi.
So, what bands were you there for at the beginning?
Back in the early 80s, I went to the Marquee to see a band who were supported by an unknown act called Bon Jovi.
So, what bands were you there for at the beginning?
If you measure it on how much you paid to get in, then Happy Mondays 50p at the Zap in Brighton, 1988 & KT Tunstall £3 at Komedia in 2004. Run DMC at the Electric Ballroom in 1983 for a quid & Catatonia somewhere in Camden for free a week before their first TOTP appearance.
Friend of mine caught Oasis in some pub in Bognor when they all fitted into a Transit van, couldn't tell you when but I guess 1993 ish.
Friend of mine caught Oasis in some pub in Bognor when they all fitted into a Transit van, couldn't tell you when but I guess 1993 ish.
In 2004 I stood outside a Virgin music store in Florida as there was a small stage set up and a couple of people standing around. Keane came out and played almost everything from Hopes and Fears to a crowd of about 20 
I went to see them at the M.E.N. in Manchester a good few years later, sat right at the back, it was quite surreal really.
I went to see them at the M.E.N. in Manchester a good few years later, sat right at the back, it was quite surreal really.
My best are...
The Verve at the Old Trout pub in Windsor which according to this site was June 2nd 1993,
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-verve/1993/the-o...
Primal Scream at Washington Heights (may still have been The Majestic) in Reading 1988.
Stereophonics at The Falcon in Camden in 1996 I think. A friend of mine used to work with the lead singer on a fruit and veg stall in Wales so invited us along. I've never been a fan and can't remember anything about the night but I think it was the night of the Docklands bomb.
Baring in mind we were going to two gigs a week around 1988-1993 that's not that impressive!
The Verve at the Old Trout pub in Windsor which according to this site was June 2nd 1993,
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-verve/1993/the-o...
Primal Scream at Washington Heights (may still have been The Majestic) in Reading 1988.
Stereophonics at The Falcon in Camden in 1996 I think. A friend of mine used to work with the lead singer on a fruit and veg stall in Wales so invited us along. I've never been a fan and can't remember anything about the night but I think it was the night of the Docklands bomb.
Baring in mind we were going to two gigs a week around 1988-1993 that's not that impressive!
audidoody said:
Dire Straits at the Hope & Anchor in Islington around 1977 ("effin 'ell - that guitarist is AMAZING!')
Green doesn't even come close.... my favourite group of all time, I never did manage to see the Straits live, I did get 3rd row seats to see Knopfler in the Albert Hall a few years back and was made up when he performed Telegraph Road and a couple of other Straits numbers.
te tbh, though they had a fair few fans in. We'd just gone for the indie disco which kicked off afterwards.lockhart flawse said:
Dire Straits at a pub in Leeds. Stood next to the Boomtown Rats who'd played the Uni the night before.
The Grove?[I saw (most of) Dire Straits play the Briar Dene in Whitley Bay in the 80's. Obviously they were already massive but seeing them as unannounced local band was quite special.]
The Smiths playing a freshers gig in Manchester, 1982, goes into pole for me though.
Slade with Thin Lizzie as support Fareham Community Centre. Slade were a skinhead band and played violin. Also Thin Lizzie on the beat cruise a ferry that went around the Isle of Wight sea sick or what.
U2 at the Locarno Ballroom Portsmouth.
Led Zeppelin with Savoy Brown support in Pom d'or Southsea.
The Cure Portsmouth Guildhall about 50 in the audience.
Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix all at the Portsmouth Guildhall.
Most of the above were not sell out events either.
U2 at the Locarno Ballroom Portsmouth.
Led Zeppelin with Savoy Brown support in Pom d'or Southsea.
The Cure Portsmouth Guildhall about 50 in the audience.
Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix all at the Portsmouth Guildhall.
Most of the above were not sell out events either.
Saw Bowie and also Genesis in their very early days at Bristol.
I heard Queens great King Rat on the John Peel show in 1973 and went into PR Sounds in Melksham - my local record shop - the next day and asked for the Album (Queen).
Reply
'We don't get much call for that around here son!'.
I heard Queens great King Rat on the John Peel show in 1973 and went into PR Sounds in Melksham - my local record shop - the next day and asked for the Album (Queen).
Reply
'We don't get much call for that around here son!'.
I've watched Elbow from their very ealy days playing pubs and fleapits. Great to see them headlining festivals and playing massive arenas, not least because they are still the same down to earth bunch of blokes.
When they released The Seldom Seen Kid album (a last throw of the dice to 'make it' on a big scale) I was at a fanclub-only gig at Paddington Library where 'One Day Like This' got its first public outing. I knew instantly it would be a massive hit and would accompany weddings and TV montages for years to come. It was quite something to be there to hear that and instantly think "bingo, massive hit record". I imagine producers love that, when they just know when they've discovered a big hit.
When they released The Seldom Seen Kid album (a last throw of the dice to 'make it' on a big scale) I was at a fanclub-only gig at Paddington Library where 'One Day Like This' got its first public outing. I knew instantly it would be a massive hit and would accompany weddings and TV montages for years to come. It was quite something to be there to hear that and instantly think "bingo, massive hit record". I imagine producers love that, when they just know when they've discovered a big hit.
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