What was your first live gig?

Following a bit of a musical memory trip t’other day, I found myself listening to The Wedding Present’s Ukrainian album.
I was about 15 when a school mate asked me if I was up for it.
Hadn’t heard of The Wedding Present at that point, or been to London for a night out.
Flippin mental night it was. Marvellous!
So, what was yours?
The Wedding Present

Sisters of Mercy Black October tour Hanley Victoria Hall in Stoke with Skeletal Family as support.

Toyah Wilcox. unity hall wakefield. 1980.

i now feel old.

Billy Bragg, the men they couldn’t hang, Hank wangford band and the pogues at the mean fiddler in Harlesden, must have been 1984 ish

Altered images @ Hammersmith palais supported by Vic Goddard & the subway sect in 1981. Golly!

PWEI, either Wulfrun or Civic in Wolverhampton, prob 1993.
Bloggers ITA amongst the support acts. I was pretty wasted.
Was the start of a few years of regular gig going in Wolvo until I left for uni in ’95.

Subway Sect/Buzzcocks on the ’78 Love Bites tour at The Capitol in Aberdeen.

I am old….

ZZ Top, Eliminator/Afterburner tour with the stage that changed from hot rod dashboard to spaceship control panel, Wembley Arena 1985 ‘ish

Smashing Pumpkins at the Birmingham NEC in 1996. They had just released Mellon Collie and the infinite sadness and it was ace

Talk talk @ reading university. I was 15 year local then not a student.

Orbital at Wolves civic, sisters boyfriend took me, my ears were ringing for 2 days after!

I must have been the only person there completely sober, still loved it.

Michael Schenker Group in 1980

Ton I feel old as well

Rush, Deeside Leisure Centre, early June 1980. Had general admission tickets and wanted to get a good spot so skipped out of my RE O level exam early (and got a U grade). 8)

The Monkees. Lea’s cliff hall Folkstone.
( I’m not that old. comeback tour minus Peter Tork, I was still at school)

Depeche Mode, Manchester Apollo, 1983

Hawkwind at the Brighton Centre in 1979, 15 years old. I emerged a different person.

Inxs, St Georges Hall Bradford, just before they got really big.

DEVO, Hammersmith Odeon,1978.

Death Angel. Liverpool Beirkeller (now the 051), 1987.

The Spinners.
Leatherhead Leisure Centre.
1980 ish?
God that’s sad.

Monsters of rock 1986. Went for Motorhead but seeing Bad News before them was pretty good.

Black Lace , Batley Varieties

Then Springsteen in Roundhay park but I wasn’t middle class enough to be actually IN the concert.

The police at Milton Keynes bowl in 1980.
I was 7 and went with my dad and his friends.

Madness supported by the go-go’s Peterborough wirrina 1979 or 1980 I think.

Rick Wakeman at the Gaumont in Southampton in about 1982.

Unfortunately, Erasure, MK bowl, 1989? Support was Adamski and Womack and Womack. The GF loved it. I did not! I was only 14 though :0)

RHCP, Brixton, Blood Sugar tour.

A while ago.

Queen at Knebworth. 1986.

The clash newcastle Mayfair – December 6th 1980 opened with Safe European Home I still think about it most weeks – Changed my life … it was f*****g amazing I was very very lucky to be there and will always be grateful for that night – I am getting old and nostalgic about this shit

Bradford 1962: Different dates & many other supporting acts now forgotten
Helen Shapiro
Cliff Richard & Shadows
Adam Faith
Billy Fury

Beatles came 1963 but not yet achieved top billing!!

Green Day, Manc Apollo, September 1995.

You won’t know them as they were Canadian, but

The Spoons, Red River Exhibition Free Stage, Winnipeg, 1985

probably Bluetones at Middlesbrough Town Hall 1996

The Brian May Band at the Edinburgh Playhouse, 4th June 1993. Might not be cool but it was great- I love queen but I was only about 8 years old when they did their last ever show so.

Second was a bit cooler, backstage passes for the Almighty at the Queen’s Hall. Then Pulp then the Wildhearts.

Queen Live Magic Tour in Marbella 1986

four days later was the last ever gig they did together.

Stiff Little Fingers, Portsmouth Mecca Ballroom, 1978. I even remember what I wore!

Def Leppard, Van Halen & AC DC at Monters of Rock some long time ago at Donnington Park back in the 80’s, but what year I really can’t remember.. it was sooooooo long ago.

T’was ace.

Haircut 100 at the Students Union, Newcastle in 1981 or ’82, I think. They weren’t terribly good IIRC. supported by the Blue Bells.

The Skids at the Marquee in 1979, I was 14. Had to bribe the doorman to let us in and it was still cheaper than buying a ticket.
It was my first introduction to the ” have you got 10p mate” brigade. It stayed at 10p for years, how much is it now?

John Otway and Wild Willy Baratt, Oughtons, Dumfries, 1979.
Terrific night.