Elvis Costello Newcastle City Hall 1979
Support Acts: Richard Hell; John Cooper Clarke
Elvis Costello was back at the City Hall in early 1979 fronting a great triple bill, with Richard Hell and the Voidoids and John Cooper Clarke as support acts. I’d seen Richard Hell as support for the Clash at Newcastle Poly, and John Cooper Clarke popped up quite often as a support act in those days. Both acts were well worth watching, of course. Richard had been a member of Television and, briefly, the Heartbreakers, and was known at the time for his signature tune “Blank Generation” and for “inventing’ ripped, safety-pinned shirts. John Cooper Clarke was a revelation in those early punk days. His rapid, caustic humour delivered in that greater Mancunian drawl always went down well with the Geordie crowd. Songs (are they songs?) such as “I Don’t Wanna Be Nice”; “Psycle Sluts 1&2” and “(I Married a) Monster from Outer Space” stick in my mind even to this day. 
Elvis Costello had kept on turning out those classic hit singles in the year since his last City Hall performance. “Oliver’s Army”; “Accidents Will Happen” and “Radio Radio” were all new to the set this time around. The set was much longer with two extended encores. I’ve just played last song “part Girl” on Youtube to remind myself how great Elvis was in those days. I must also mention Elvis’ band The Attractions, who were a very important part of his sound. Local guy Bruce Thomas played with Paul Rodgers in the 60s, and I saw him several times in the very under-rated band Quiver. The other members were Steve Nieve on piano and Bruce Thomas (whoo I’d previously seen with Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers) on drums. Setlist: Goon Squad; Hand In Hand; Oliver’s Army; (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?; Green Shirt; The Beat; Accidents Will Happen; Lip Service; This Year’s Girl; Lipstick Vogue; Watching The Detectives; Big Boys; You Belong To Me – including a line from The Last Time; Pump It Up. Encore 1: (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea; Mystery Dance; Radio, Radio. Encore 2: No Dancing; Party Girl
Posts Tagged ‘music’
21 Jul
Elvis Costello Newcastle City Hall 1979
20 Jul
Unveiling of Alan Hull memorial plaque Newcastle City Hall 19 July 2012
Unveiling of Alan Hull memorial plaque Newcastle City Hall 19 July 2012 
A Newcastle City Memorial Plaque was unveiled today outside Newcastle City Hall to celebrate the life of Alan Hull, who died in 1995. Lindisfarne played at the City Hall over 100 times, and their Christmas concerts were part of the annual festivities for many of us during the 70s and 80s.
I was aiming to go along to the unveiling this morning, but was in a meeting at work which ran late, so I missed the actual unveiling. I did, however, make it through just in time to catch the end of a short set by Ray Jackson. Ray performed after the unveiling, on a small stage set up outside the entrance to the City Hall. A crowd of around 100 had gathered outside the City Hall for the occasion. Ray Jackson and the band, which consisted of Ray, Dave Hull Denholm and Ian Thomson on double bass, played: All Fall Down; Clear White Light; Lady Eleanor; Fog On The Tyne.
I spent some time today running through my own memories of Alan Hull and Lindisfarne. Things I remember are; Sitting at the back of the City Hall stage in the early 70s watching Lindisfarne take the crowd through songs from the first couple of albums; everyone singing along; we can swing together. Clear White Light; the encore; Sunderland Rink, standing on chairs with a group of friends from school; at the back of the ballroom; everyone just mental; we sang and sang. Standing with a group of mates; on top of our home made shack/tent; at the Lincoln Festival 1972; Lindisfarne were one of the highlights of the weekend. Going to the Alan Hull solo concert at the City Hall in the mid 70s; he played lots of songs from his solo lps; Pipedream and Squire. Marie and I singing along to Run From Home; standing on a table; a packed Redcar Coatham Bowl; 1978; the single high in the charts. Lots of Christmas concerts at the City Hall. There were many more highlights, but the one memory which really sticks in my mind is Alan standing centre stage alone, spotlight on him, at the City Hall singing Winter Song. Just beautiful. “When Winter’s shadowy fingers first pursue you down the street; And your boots no longer lie about the cold around your feet; Do you spare a thought for summer whose passage is complete; Whose memories lie in ruins and whose ruins lie in heat; When winter….. comes howling in.”
19 Jul
Elvis Costello Newcastle City Hall March 1978
Elvis Costello Newcastle City Hall March 1978
Support Mickey Jupp
I’d seen Elvis Costello on the Stiff tour, and was really into his early singles and his image. He quickly graduated to playing concert halls, and this was the first of many times that he has played at Newcastle City Hall. His success was pretty rapid, and that clutch of early singles is impressive. Within a year he had delivered two ace albums and the singles Less Than Zero, Alison, Red Shoes, I don’t want to go to Chelsea, and Watching the detectives. Amazing when you think of it. His image then was very distinct; a strange nurdy mix of Buddy Holly, Hank Marvin, and yet still very cool. On stage he was sharp, stuttering, passionate and totally enthralling. I really enjoyed seeing Elvis Costello in the late 70s and early 80s, and haven’t been to see him for some time. I missed his recent visit to Newcastle, but note that he is returning to the region next year to play at The Sage Gateshead, and have promised Laura that we will go along this time. Reminiscing about my early Elvis concert experiences has made me realise just how great he was, and I am sure still is, so I look forward to see him next year. I’ll post a few more recollections on early Elvis gigs over the next few days. Setlist: Waiting For The End Of The World; No Action; This Year’s Girl; Night Rally; (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes; Hand In Hand; Less Than Zero; The Beat; Lip Service; (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea; Pump It Up; Lipstick Vogue; Watching The Detectives; You Belong To Me; Mystery Dance; Miracle Man
18 Jul
The Clash Newcastle City Hall 1982
The Clash Newcastle City Hall 1982
Support: Nod The Geordie Poet (?!)
The Clash returned to Newcastle in 1982 to play two nights at The City Hall. By this time The Clash were starting to disintegrate. Topper Headon had left to be replaced by Terry Chimes, and it was the beginning of the end for the band. They had just released Combat Rock. Although my ticket shows the gig as having taken place in May 1982, all of the gig listings show the gig as actually being in July 1982. I guess the tour must have been rescheduled. I remember a group of us went along to the gig, and that we were sitting pretty close to the front. I don’t think the venue was full. I remember the gig being ok, but not on the same level as earlier Clash gigs that I’d seen. This was the last time I saw The Clash.
17 Jul
The Clash Newcastle Mayfair June 12th 1980
The Clash Newcastle Mayfair June 12th 1980
Support Joe Ely
(And a trip to the City Hall to see Rush)
This was one of those nights were I was torn between two gigs. Rush were playing at Newcastle City Hall and The Clash were playing at Newcastle Mayfair on the same night. I already had a ticket for Rush, I was going with a group of mates, and the gig was sold out, when The Clash gig was announced. What a dilemma for me! I hadn’t missed a Newcastle gig by either band; what could I do? I decided to buy a ticket for The Clash and try and times things so I would see both bands. Now on the rare occasions I have tried to do this, it usually hasn’t worked out very well, and I’ve ended up not enjoying either gig that much. So on the night of the gig(s) I went along to the City Hall with my mates to see Rush. This was the Permanent Waves tour, and my mates were big Rush fans who couldn’t believe that I would leave the gig early to see The Clash. But thats exactly what I did. 
The norm at The Mayfair was for the band to take the stage around 10pm at that time, so I watched around one hour of The Rush gig then drove down the road to the Mayfair to see The Clash. By then I had missed support act Joe Ely. In fact I arrived in the venue just as The Clash had started the first song of the night. I always find is strange entering a gig late. Its like coming into a party uninvited when everyone is already drunk. Picture this. I enter a packed ballroom, The Clash are playing Safe European Home, and the place is going nuts. I stood on the balcony and wandered around the place, taking it all in. The Clash played much longer that night than the previous times I’d seen them. Of course by 1980, they had a much larger repertoire of songs to draw from. They were great as usual, but I didn’t see as much passion and energy as at the Newcastle Poly gig a couple of years before. I thought the gig dragged at times, but picked up towards the end, and the place went nuts when they finished with White Riot. So my aim of taking in two gigs on the same night sort of worked, although I didn’t see that much of Rush, and couldn’t really get into their set as my mind was more focussed on getting my timings right in order to catch The Clash. Setlist: Safe European Home; Jimmy Jazz; Revolution Rock; The Guns of Brixton; Train in Vain; London Calling; Spanish Bombs; (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais; Somebody Got Murdered; Koka Kola; I Fought the Law; Jail Guitar Doors; Hit the Road Jack; Police and Thieves; Clampdown; Stay Free; English Civil War; I’m So Bored With the U.S.A.; Complete Control; Armagideon Time; Tommy Gun; London’s Burning; Capital Radio; What’s My Name; Garageland; White Riot.
16 Jul
The Clash Newcastle Polytechnic Oct 28 1977 and Dec 2 1978
The Clash Newcastle Polytechnic Oct 28th 1977 and Dec 2nd 1978
Support acts: Richard Hell and the Voidoids (1977); The Slits (1978)
The Clash came back to Newcastle later in 1977, and again in 1978. I only have vague ![_DSC3340 [CROP2][LR]](https://myvintagerock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/dsc3340-crop2lr.jpg?w=257&h=257)
memories of the 1977 gig, and can’t be certain that I attended, although I think I did. I remember there was trouble and some fights at one, and maybe both, of the gigs. I read somewhere that Richard Hell had a firework thrown in his face. I have very vivid memories of the 1978 gig. By 1978 The Clash were massive, and the gig sold out almost immediately. I also bought tickets for their gig at Middlesbrough Town Hall, but sold them to a couple of mates so that I could go and see The Jam at the Mayfair that night. That night at Newcastle Polytechnic I saw something different in The Clash. It was as if they had moved up couple of levels, and were now a confident, and great rock band, rather than another punk act. The place was packed, with everyone standing on chairs and tables. I think they started with Safe European Home; I do remember that they were just stupendous. I also remember being particularly impressed by Mick Jones guitar work, and when he took the lead for Stay Free, which remains one of my favourite songs to this day. This was the best time that I saw The Clash, and the night I realised that there were a major rock band. I remember saying to Marie that, on that night, for me they were up there with The Who and Zeppelin as one of our best live rock acts.
Blog entry updated on 23rd of June 2020. I recently wrote a chapter for a book about The Clash (Smith, 2017). I have enclosed a short extract below which relates to these gigs. I have also taken the opportunity to include some great photographs which Mark kindly send me of both The Clash and Richard Hell.
![_DSC3349 [CROP2][LR]](https://myvintagerock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/dsc3349-crop2lr.jpg?w=288&h=288)
“The Clash returned to Newcastle later in 1977, and again in 1978. There was violence and fighting at both gigs. Both gigs took place at the Students’ Union of Newcastle Polytechnic. Both were weekend gigs, party nights for the students. Admission was once again “students only,” which was a source of anger and violence, and in direct contravention of the tour policy which “guaranteed access to non-college students” (Gray 2003). Richard Hell had a firework thrown in his face at the 1977 gig, which took place a few days before bonfire night. These were crazy nights of excitement, violence, clashes between rival gangs and excellent rock music. “The gigs were mayhem,” recalls Johnny Green: “never seen anything like it in my life” (Gray 2003). A member of The Slits urged the crowd to “wreck the place” (Newcastle Journal, 2011).
I have very vivid memories of the 1978 gig. By 1978 The Clash were established, popular and the darlings of the music press, and as a result the gig sold out almost immediately. There was much anticipation for the concert. The students had come to see what punk rock was all about, and fans to experience their new rock heroes. The local people, those who managed to gain entry, were there to spit at the band and (for some) to fight with the students. The group of people outside were trying to force their way in, getting angrier and angrier, and ended up waiting outside to attack students as they left. At the 1977 gig a fan tried to pull Mick Jones off stage, damaging his Les Paul Junior (Gray 2003).![_DSC3343 [CROP][LR]](https://myvintagerock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/dsc3343-croplr.jpg?w=237&h=237)
Although I enjoyed the gigs, I was scared on both occasions. I had very long hair and looked out of place at a punk gig. The fact that the gigs took place in a students’ union building added a level of safety. I could blend in with the students, although I was also the subject of taunts from local punks. It was leaving the venue which was the most frightening aspect of the evening. We had to run the gauntlet of a large group of punks and skinheads who, having been denied access to the gig, were determined to vent their anger and frustrations on students, many worse the wear from alcohol, leaving the hall. Some people were seriously hurt. A heavy police presence minimised the violence and the danger and we survived both gigs unscathed.
![_DSC3376 [CROP][LR]](https://myvintagerock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/dsc3376-croplr.jpg?w=203&h=203)
The Newcastle Journal (2011) reported the 1978 gig as an example of the “harum-scarum days of punk rock” where “hundreds of drunken youngsters” had “fierce scuffles” and “specially trained security guards with dogs and walkie-talkies” tried to keep order inside and outside the venue.”
Gray, Marcus (2003), The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town, London: Helter Skelter.
Journal, The. (2011). Reuniting the wild women of punk rock, The Journal, Newcastle 23rd February 2011.
Smith, P. (2017). An Analysis of The Clash in Concert: 1977 to 1982, in Cohen, S and Peacock, J (eds.), The Clash Takes on the World: Transnational Perspectives on The Only Band that Matters, Bloomsbury, pp 27 – 44.
Many thanks once again Mark for your great photographs, and for allowing me to use them to update my blog posts.
15 Jul
The Clash White Riot Tour Newcastle University May 20th 1977
The Clash White Riot Tour Newcastle University May 20th 1977
This was the night that punk truly arrived in Newcastle, and the first time I saw The Clash. It was the first really big punk gig in Newcastle, and it sold out well in advance. Most of the tickets had been sold to students through the students union; in fact if I remember correctly you had to be a student to buy tickets, which was the source of some agro and trouble on the night of the gig. Luckily I was a student at Sunderland Poly at the time and I used my union card to buy a couple of tickets for Marie and I. When we arrived at the Union building on the night of the gig, the entrance was surrounded by a group of local punks who were trying to get in. There were a few scuffles between the doormen and the punks, who were angry because they couldn’t get in to see “their band” who (in their eyes) were playing for a group of middle class students.
In 1977, Newcastle University ballroom was in a smallish room up a flight of stairs, with the main bar being down on a lower level. The union building was a maze with several bars, a pool room, and several lounges. You could wander around the building and dip in and out of the gig in the main ballroom. There was a great sense of anticipation that night. The North East had missed out on the Sex Pistols Anarchy tour which had been booked to visit Newcastle City Hall, and had been cancelled because of the controversy around the band. So this was the first chance for local punks to see a “big” punk band. The place with packed, however the audience was largely students with a smattering of local punks who had somehow managed to buy tickets, and were crammed around the stage upstairs. I sensed that these guys didn’t really know much about punk, but had decided that it was right for them. They were probably much more into the image, the concept of anarchy and rebellion, than Clash music. The first Clash album had been released a few weeks before the gig, and the audience were there as much out of curiosity and because of reports that they had read in the NME and Sounds than as result of the music. Similarly for me, I’d read reports that The Clash was THE new punk rock band to out-punk (and out rock) The Pistols, so I had to see what these guys were like. Support came from The Prefects (replacing The Jam, who had just left the tour) Subway Sect, and The Slits. Marie and I made a point of making sure we made our way from the bar up to the ballroom to see each of the bands. The sound wasn’t great for any of the support acts, who all seemed a bit amateur and ramshackle to be honest; but I guess thats what punk was about in those early heady days. There was lots, and I mean lots, of spitting at the band. This was one of the first times I’d seen the crowd spit at the stage; its difficult to imagine how prevalent the practice was in those days. The Clash were just streets ahead of the support acts. For their set there was lots of pogoing and the spitting was relentless. Poor Joe Strummer was covered in spit. They looked great; just like their pictures on the cover of the first album. I’d heard some of the tracks from the first lp, and new the single White Riot, and loved Janie Jones and Police and Thieves, which were played a lot at punk gigs at venues like Middlesbrough Rock Garden in 1977 and 1978. The set was short, as were each of the songs, and consisted of tracks from their great first album. The sound was a bit murky, but the atmosphere, the band’s passion, and the power of delivery made up for it. We’d seen a few punk bands during 1976, including The Sex Pistols at a small gig in a pub in Whitby, but this was the first sold out and wild punk gig that we had attended, and it was just great. It set me off going to lots of punk gigs over the next few years. Don Letts, who managed The Slits at the time, was wandering around with a massive video camera, filming the event. The music between the bands was very heavy, loud dub and reggae, which was quite new to all of us. There were further scuffles around the entrance area throughout the night, with punks fighting with the guys on the door to get in, and there were a few fights inside the gig. As I had very long hair at the time, so I could easily have been a target. I was always careful to avoid trouble, and always managed to do so. I can’t find any record of the setlist, but based on reports from other gigs on the tour it is likely that is was something like this: London’s Burning; 1977; I’m So Bored With the U.S.A.; Pressure Drop; Hate and War; Cheat; Police and Thieves; 48 Hours; Capital Radio; Deny; Remote Control; Career Opportunities; White Riot; Janie Jones; Garageland; 1977. The day after the gig Joe Strummer and Topper Headon were arrested, in true punk fashion, for stealing pillowcases from a hotel room in Newcastle (!), and spent some time in the cells. Great memories of an era that now seems so long ago. Where did all the time go?
14 Jul
Clicks Sunderland Poly Wearmouth Hall 1980
Clicks Sunderland Poly Wearmouth Hall 1980
I found this ticket in my collection, but at first sight I had no idea who Clicks were, I am afraid. Marie and I went to the “Poly” dances quite often on Saturdays throughout the 70s and early 80s, and saw a lot of bands there including Sham 69, Stealers Wheel, Arhur Brown, Shakin’ Stevens and the Sunsets, Stray Cats, to name a few; but this one has escaped my memory. I’ve included it simply for completeness as I am working through the letter C. However I googled the name Clicks and found this from Penetrations Wiki page: “The remainder of the band (ie without Pauline Murray) briefly continued under the name Rhythm Clicks, releasing a 7” single in 1980 on the Red Rhino label containing the songs “Short Time”, “Lies Don’t Talk” and “Chains” “. It makes sense to me that this is probably the same band, with the word “Rhythm” missing from the ticket. I was a big fan of local punk heroes Penetration and Marie and I went to see them lots and lots of time from 1976 onwards. It would makes sense that I would have gone to see any spin off band if they played in Sunderland. There is a recording of “Short Time” on Youtube; the music is typical punk / new wave. Further searching revealed that the band were led by Gary Chaplin who was the original guitarist and songwriter from Penetration.
13 Jul
John Cale The Sage Gateshead 2006
John Cale The Sage Gateshead 2006
John Cale strikes me as a pretty cool and sorted guy. Musically he crosses several genres and gives the impression that his music is very much his art. I never saw the original Velvet Underground in concert, which I deeply regret, although I have seen Lou Reed in concert several times. I did go to see a later version of the Velvet Underground at Sunderland Locarno in the early 70s, but I have a feeling the band didn’t turn up that night. This, however, was the first and only time that I have seen John Cale. I went along to this gig with David, and we had standing tickets at the front of the hall. The atmosphere in the small standing section was great, with a small number of die hard fans going totally crazy. The set was quite long, and consisted of a mix of songs from throughout John’s career, including some Velvet Underground classics. I seem to remember that he has a single out at the time which was very punky. A great gig which David and I both enjoyed. I couldn’t find a setlist for the Gateshead gig, but did manage to find one from Glasgow on the same tour: Venus In Furs; Walkin’ The Dog; Evidence; Woman; Helen Of Troy; Dancing Undercover; Femme Fatale > Rosegarden Funeral of Sores;
Hush;Dirty Ass Rock ‘n’ Roll; Guts; Look Horizon; Magritte; Cable Hogue; Set Me Free; Things; Ship Of Fools; Sold Motel; Perfect; Leaving It Up To You; Gravel Drive; Heartbreak Hotel. Band: Dustin Boyer: lead guitar; Michael Jerome: drums; Joseph Karnes: bass
12 Jul
China Crisis Newcastle Mayfair mid 80s
China Crisis Newcastle Mayfair mid 80s
If you asked me, I would have said that I’d seen China Crisis a few times, however my ticket collection consist of only one stub, from a gig at Newcastle Mayfair, which probably took place in the early to mid 80s. I have vague memories of seeing them at Redcar Coatham Bowl as well, but that could well be a figment of my imagination. The band had some pretty pleasant tunes; I remember Wishful Thinking, King in a Catholic Style and Black Man Ray, in particular. In my head China Crisis sit in the same box as Aztec Camera and Talk Talk. Not sure what strange logic makes me place the three bands together, but there we go. Of the three bands, Talk Talk were, in my view the strongest, and were just great live; I will report on them another day. I’ve just played Black Man Ray on youtube to remind myself of China Crisis. Good song.
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