Echo and the Bunnymen in concert 1981 – 1984
The Bunnymen crept up on me in the late 70s and early 80s. There seemed a refreshing change from punk, providing a more melodic alternative to the fast trash of many other bands of the period. I saw them a few times in concert in the early 80s, each time at Newcastle City Hall. All of those gigs were enjoyable experiences, and by 1984 they had some really great songs. I especially liked The Cutter in concert, and The Killing Moon and Seven Seas (Kissing the tortoise!) are also favourites. Ian McCulloch was super cool on stage; I’ve just been looking at some early videos on youtube which remind me just how great this band were. 
The Bunnymen blended punk and new wave with shades of psychedelia; they were very clearly fans of The Doors and would sometimes play Light My Fire or People Are Strange in concert. The last time I saw Echo and the Bunnymen was when they played a few songs at the opening concert for the Capital of Culture event at Liverpool Arena a few years ago. I really must make a point of going to see them again soon. 
Looking at the ticket stub for the 1982 gig, it seems that the show must have been postponed until 1983, although I don’t recall why. I can’t be sure which tour the programme pictured below comes from; it consists of a series of quite arty black and white photographs of the band, with no text at all; very cool! 
Setlist from 1983: Going Up; With a Hip; Gods Will be Gods; All That Jazz; The Cutter; Porcupine; In Bluer Skies; All My Colours (Zimbo); Rescue; Heaven up Here; Heads Will Roll; Crocodiles; Over the Wall; Do It Clean
29 Oct
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Rich on October 7, 2020 at 1:11 pm
I was at the 82/83 gig. My lasting memory was how empty the room was. Maybe it was postponed because of ticket sales? Or maybe its another old false memory of mine.- Whatever, it was a great gig. As was the one I went to last year. They’ve still got it. (love your posts btw)
Posted by vintagerock on October 7, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Hi Rich I also remember seeing the Bunnymen at the City Hall, and it being quite empty. But I do not remember when. I have not seen them for many years and should really go and see them again. I used all of “The Cutter”. Thanks for your support. Happy days Peter
Posted by Mark Watson on May 4, 2025 at 11:44 pm
I saw them three times in the 1980’s, the tours to support the albums Heaven |Up here, porcupine and Ocean rain. they were brilliant each time and i don’t recall the city hall being anything but full. I’ve seen them on the last three tours. The first was terrible, Ian’s voice is shot. I gave them another go, even worse. Last year i went again and its worse than ever. His voice is completely gone. Problem is you read some reviews and they say he sounds great, people comment and say he’s terrible and they get negative comments. Crazy.
Posted by vintagerock on May 5, 2025 at 10:42 am
Hi Mark
I have not seen them since the 1980s. It is sad to hear that Ian’s voice is not good
I must try and see them next opportunity
They were magnificent “back in the day”
Peter