First proper gig I went to was U2 at Milton Keynes Bowl in June 1985. The support was pretty ace too in Billy Bragg, The Cult, REM and The Ramones. Good job it was a great line up because it absolutely bucketed down all day! By the time U2 appeared the mud near the front where we were was about 10" deep
Caravan live at Manchester Poly, 1979... I was 17. Funny how things go, I introduced them on stage in Holmfirth last year.
I was into dance music in my yoof, so I saw people like carl cox and orbital. Proper music gigs would be Pulp at wembley arena or Terrorvision at The Astoria, both late 90's I think.
First gig I went to from my own choice ( not mates or families choice where I tagged along) was The cure at Malvern. I liked the venue so much I then went every Friday night. Saw the jam 3 times there, souxie and the banshees, the cure again. Stiff little fingers, generation x,, buzczocks, and loads more bands most of the gigs were pay at the door and about £7 including a chat to the band at the bar before the gig. Best gig I ever went to apart from the Springsteen shows which I think take things up a notch was a private 50th birthday party for Mick Owen Bob geldof's road manager. It was in our field and a local band hastily assembled to support him. Gary ... a local lad that played in Chicken shack was lead g. Terry E, a great base player who was Clifford T wards bass player, some bloke on piano keyboard that was in some band with Steve Winwood and Roy Wood. The party was outdoors Mr geldof did a set with the makeshift band and got pie eyed with me afterwards. Some wag took a picture and it got into the local papers. He looked well gone ( so did I btw) The pity of it was, he was a really top bloke and his Mrs had just died. Yet he still came and did an appearance at his roadies 50th out in the sticks with us bumpkins.
Most memorable one I went to was Little Feat at the Birmingham Odeon(?). All the originals, before Lowell George popped his clogs...
I know what you're saying, they're a bit marmite! I got into them around 1980/81 and have been a fan in varying degrees ever since despite their faults.
My best gig too! Support from Belouis Some, Big Country and Status Quo and then King Freddie at the height of his ridiculous pomp. We finally escaped the carpark at about 5.30 the next morning!
