Glasgow has welcomed an endless list of global stars over the years, but which shows stand out to local gig-goers as the greatest?
Ask a few Glaswegians what their favourite gig experience in the city was, and you’re bound to get a variety of answers - from electric atmospheres at David Bowie in ‘73, to the first ever T in The Park at Strathclyde Country Park with Primal Scream and Blur, or even being in the crowd at Beyoncé’s sold out performance at Hampden Park.
The possibilities are endless, so we’ve asked locals for their opinions and compiled an unofficial rundown of Glasgow’s most legendary concerts. If we missed your favourite, be sure to let us know.
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The Beatles, December 1965
The Beatles’ last visit to the city came in December of 1965, and turned out to be their last as a group. At the height of Beatlemania, two lines of policemen were on both sides of the road outside the Odeon Cinema to control crowds - with mounted police later called in.
The Daily Record reported an electric tension as the audience sensed The Beatles’ time to take to the stage, and with the first instrumental riff from behind the curtains it was like ‘opening the floodgates.’
On that night, the two performances were met with fainting fits and thunderous waves of screams that set the venue ‘trembling’. Six people were sent to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, with 88 people suffering from hysteria.
One ambulance worker commented: “Give me a Rangers-Celtic game any day. This is just too much.”
Discussing The Beatles’ visits to the city in the Glasgow Back in Time Facebook Group, June Dunphy recalled: “I was at all three shows The Beatles played in the Odeon in Glasgow, what a thrill as a 14-year-old.”
The Stone Roses, June 1990
On the Glasgow Green in June 1990, The Stone Roses performed what is described as their most ‘charged’ gig ever. An unofficial fansite for the band said: “The opening Adored is absolutely mental.
“You can taste the atmosphere. It continues like that all the way through, especially the guitar, which, although not technically perfect, is just crazy, out of control, brilliant.”
Held in a massive tent which held 7,000 people, the gig was reportedly Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield’s favourite. He said: “When we were on stage that day, we all looked at each other, and then just went up another level.”
It was the last Roses gig for five years, and one that earned a spot in Glasgow’s most memorable gigs.
Glasgow’s Big Day Out, June 1990
A quarter of a million fans packed out four stages across Glasgow in June 1990, for the biggest free concert ever to be held in Scotland. With the city enjoying a year in the sun as the European City of Culture, events were held in four locations, Glasgow Green, George Square, Custom House Quay and the People’s Palace.
Fans climbed up statues, trees and lampposts to get a good view of the line-up. This included Texas, Big Country, Wet Wet Wet, Deacon Blue, Hue and Cry and The Hothouse Flowers.
Eddie Reader, singer of the band Fairground Attraction, said the afterparty went on all night. She added: “We all stayed up and played music until the next morning.
“Various party animals who my ex-husband tried to out-party, but being French he had no chance against the folkie rock and rollers. He was sick for three days.”
Michael Jackson, August 1992
The King of pop came to Scotland just once as a solo artist - and was swiftly banned from coming back. In August 1992 as part of his Dangerous Tour, more than 35,000 fans flocked to Glasgow Green.
The gig got off to a flying start (literally) when the singer was catapulted 20 feet through the air onto the stage from a trapdoor as fireworks exploded. Writer Billy Sloan, who branded the gig one of the greatest concerts in Scottish pop history, later revealed in the Daily Record that the feat was performed by a stuntman.
Local fan Gary McConnachie recalled his mum’s friend taking him to the gig. He said: “I can still picture things clearly. I found myself next to a man uncontrollably sobbing at the sight.
“It’s an occasion that will live with me forever. He was a real showman and always gave the crowd exactly what they wanted.”
However spectacular the gig was, authorities were flooded with calls from local residents complaining about the noise. Councillors later said the star wouldn’t be back for anymore concerts.
The Who, June 1976
Legendary rock group The Who came to Celtic Park in June of 1976, alongside the Sensational Alex Harvey Band and Little Feat.
A colossal crowd of 35,000 paid £4 each for the day-long event, which reportedly saw The Who ‘not at their best’. The band attempted to captivate the audience with never-before-seen laser equipment - which went down a treat in broad daylight.
Backstage, Keith Moon reportedly smashed up a fake organ. All in all, perhaps this one isn’t memorable for the best reasons.
Recalling the gig with Glasgow Live , Thomas McLaughlin said: “What a day that was.”
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David Bowie, May 1973
During his Ziggy Stardust era, Bowie was reportedly not sure how his music and style would go down on his UK tour in 1973.
Reportedly, a whole row of seating was torn out by fans. Drummer Woody Woodmansey, who played with Spiders from Mars, recalled the gig after Bowie’s death to the Daily Record.
He said: “That was a great gig. I totally remember it, mainly because it had the reputation of being the place where if they like you, they love you and you will have a great night.
“If they don’t, get out of town quick, basically. We probably weren’t that confident playing Glasgow but it went down really well.”
Prince, March 1995
You would think a sold out show at the SECC to 10,000 adoring fans would be the part Glasgow remembers - but it was what came after that stands out.
Not content with one performance, Prince decided to do a more intimate showing at The Garage for £15,000 cash. Donald MacLeod, who was managing the club at the time, recalled the events of the night with Glasgow Live in 2019.
He said: “We were starting to s**t ourselves, what if he didn’t show up? The wait seemed to go on for years, then the back door opened.
“The gear arrived and everything started to slowly build up - as did everything in the room. Then the band walked in and they looked a million dollars.
“After hours of waiting, Prince himself made an arrival. Then the wee man got up with his security and went on stage, it was fantastic - absolutely brilliant.”
Oasis, May 1993
Performing at King Tut’s, Oasis made their Glasgow debut in a night that would go down in music history.
The unknown band took to the stage and rattled out four songs, one a unique cover of The Beatles’ I Am the Walrus, and the other three soon-to-be hits from their debut album Definitely Maybe - and the rest is history.
Gig promoter Geoff Ellis received a call prior to the event, asking if a ‘group of lads’ from Manchester could play on the bill of his city centre venue. He recalled the night to Glasgow Live in 2018, saying: “The main thing was Alan McGhee was there watching them and signed them straight afterwards.
“Suddenly people outside of Scotland who didn’t even know about King Tut’s were talking about it. It’s probably the most famous event that ever happened there.
Beyoncé, June 2018
One of the more recent gigs that stood out to Glaswegians was when Beyoncé hit Hampden Park alongside husband Jay-Z just four years ago.
The global superstar belted hits such as Crazy in Love and Halo at the sold out event, which reviews described as an ‘almighty performance’. Powering through as many of her hits as humanly possible, a review from the Daily Record stated: “Beyoncé is no ordinary mortal, she is a musical giant walking amongst us, at least it felt that way in Hampden.”
With lighting, fireworks and fire - the vibrations from the gig were felt through the area like an earthquake.
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