Your First Rock Concert

Iron Maiden in 2007, their first trip to India.  Cannot judge how well they truly played  (though they did seem to put up a pretty tight set) because the crowd was screaming along all the way.   I nearly lost my voice by the end.  I had never anticipated such an electric, emotional atmosphere.  I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Jethro Tull in Belgrade, March 1975.

Chris S wrote: Jimmy Cliff - Soweto, Johannesburg 1977 - 80,000 headmen

I didn't see that coming, the harder they come etc

frippism wrote: My first ever show was the Cranberries when I was 8 in 2002 when my family was living in Rome. I remember telling my dad that the cigarettes people were smoking smelt really weird for some reason

Yeah , not even strong weed can mask the odour of those soap dodging Romans sometimes
(Ducks for cover in anticipation of indignant Italian backlash)

My next concert () was Altered Images to see my teenage crush Clare Grogan et al at Cambridge Corn Exchange.  Supported by a rather odd looking Flock of Seagulls (you will remember them).  When Altered Images  started up two things happened. Firstly, the entire audiience from front to back started to bounce up and down and 2nd Clare came on and fell 'through' a trap door in the stage and left again in tears.  () . They then had to play a couple of instrumentals until she had gathered composure.  When she came back on, the bouncing became such that they kept on having to stop and ask us to move back.  Something to do with the pushing against the stage causing electrical problems.  The Corn Exchange was a bit rough and ready at the time! Soon after to be closed for some time.

Anyway, it was a complete riot.  And I still have a crush on Clare Grogan and still like their early music.

Finnforest wrote: ^ Wow aka, you were hanging out at the Corn Exchange in the 70s?  Isn't that the place where Syd used to play and hang out post-Floyd?  Did you ever spot him around the village?

No no no. I was a bit too young for that.  And I didn't live in Cambridge unfortunately, which meant gig going was reliant on very helpful parents!

Finnforest wrote: Oh ok.  I've just always been curious about Cambridge.  I suppose somewhat because of the Floyd connection but also because the footage I've seen makes it appear to be a very pleasant place to live.  Not to turn this into The Travel Channel, but I'd like to visit the area someday.

 
Cambridge is a lovely place and you should visit if you get the chance.  I started going to more gigs in the early 80s but sadly the Corn exchange shut between 81 and 86 when I had left the area.  I used to go and see the smaller bands at that time mainly at a small club called the Sound Cellar where I saw Marillion.  There were a couple of halls that had small bands as well.  Nothing proggy though.  Gothy would be a better description of the bands at the time.  I would love to go back in time and see some of these gigs again as my memory of them is sketchy to say the least.  I remember one guy who was a Hendrix 'tribute' in that he played guitar just like him - and he was pretty good.  He was third on the bill.  I think they were called Voodoo Child.  Also saw Lords of the New Church in a local pub that was pretty odd as there was literally only a handful of people there. 

Anyway I go on....sorry.  I cannot tell you anything about any hippy scene.  I was a young punk.

akamaisondufromage wrote: Finnforest wrote: Oh ok.  I've just always been curious about Cambridge.  I suppose somewhat because of the Floyd connection but also because the footage I've seen makes it appear to be a very pleasant place to live.  Not to turn this into The Travel Channel, but I'd like to visit the area someday.     Cambridge is a lovely place and you should visit if you get the chance.  I started going to more gigs in the early 80s but sadly the Corn exchange shut between 81 and 86 when I had left the area.  I used to go and see the smaller bands at that time mainly at a small club called the Sound Cellar where I saw Marillion.  There were a couple of halls that had small bands as well.  Nothing proggy though.  Gothy would be a better description of the bands at the time.  I would love to go back in time and see some of these gigs again as my memory of them is sketchy to say the least.  I remember one guy who was a Hendrix 'tribute' in that he played guitar just like him - and he was pretty good.  He was third on the bill.  I think they were called Voodoo Child.  Also saw Lords of the New Church in a local pub that was pretty odd as there was literally only a handful of people there.  Anyway I go on....sorry.  I cannot tell you anything about any hippy scene.  I was a young punk.

Cool....I also saw Marillion at a club date....First Avenue.  At that time it was brimming with post-punk and goth bands too, along with some guy named Prince....so Marillion did not exactly fill the place.  Fish was pretty pissed about the fact that there was almost no one there.  He acted a wee bit drunk and was somewhat contemptuous of the people there.  I understood how he felt...I was like "where is everyone? this is good stuff!" 

Saw many great shows at that club....Zevon, X, Breeders, Throwing Muses, even Steve Howe solo, with no band!  Hearing him sing "Heat of the Moment" sitting on a stool by himself was a aural nightmare I'll never be able to full exorcise. 

Finnforest wrote: akamaisondufromage wrote: Finnforest wrote: Oh ok.  I've just always been curious about Cambridge.  I suppose somewhat because of the Floyd connection but also because the footage I've seen makes it appear to be a very pleasant place to live.  Not to turn this into The Travel Channel, but I'd like to visit the area someday.     Cambridge is a lovely place and you should visit if you get the chance.  I started going to more gigs in the early 80s but sadly the Corn exchange shut between 81 and 86 when I had left the area.  I used to go and see the smaller bands at that time mainly at a small club called the Sound Cellar where I saw Marillion.  There were a couple of halls that had small bands as well.  Nothing proggy though.  Gothy would be a better description of the bands at the time.  I would love to go back in time and see some of these gigs again as my memory of them is sketchy to say the least.  I remember one guy who was a Hendrix 'tribute' in that he played guitar just like him - and he was pretty good.  He was third on the bill.  I think they were called Voodoo Child.  Also saw Lords of the New Church in a local pub that was pretty odd as there was literally only a handful of people there.  Anyway I go on....sorry.  I cannot tell you anything about any hippy scene.  I was a young punk. Cool....I also saw Marillion at a club date....First Avenue.  At that time it was brimming with post-punk and goth bands too, along with some guy named Prince....so Marillion did not exactly fill the place.  Fish was pretty pissed about the fact that there was almost no one there.  He acted a wee bit drunk and was somewhat contemptuous of the people there.  I understood how he felt...I was like "where is everyone? this is good stuff!"  Saw many great shows at that club....Zevon, X, Breeders, Throwing Muses, even Steve Howe solo, with no band!  Hearing him sing "Heat of the Moment" sitting on a stool by himself was a aural nightmare I'll never be able to full exorcise.

Wish I had seen the Throwing Muses.  The Real Ramona is one of my favourite albums.  Breeders too, but Prince in the 80s marvelous!   You can see Marilions setlist here if you want  www.morain.de/Marillion/09Setlists-1987.html  . 

When I saw them again in Sheffield at the Limit  he was very charming and when I arrived at the club he was standing right next to me having a pint with another fan/friend. I didn't have the courage to go and chat though!

Finnforest wrote:   Steve Howe solo, with no band!  Hearing him sing "Heat of the Moment" sitting on a stool by himself was a aural nightmare I'll never be able to full exorcise.

Poor old Steve, he sounds perfectly serviceable on backing vox but taking the lead really shows up his limitations.