February 12, 1972, David Bowie Imperial Collage

On February 12, 1972, David Bowie performed at the Great Hall in Imperial College, London, as part of his Ziggy Stardust Tour. Here are some key details about this event:

Venue: The concert took place at the Great Hall, Imperial College, located in South Kensington, London.

Significance: This performance is often noted as one of the early shows of the Ziggy Stardust Tour, which was pivotal in launching Bowie's career to new heights. It was the fourth date of the tour and is considered by some to be the first proper "Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders from Mars" show, despite the band not being billed under that name yet.

Setlist: The set included several songs such as "Queen Bitch," "The Wild-Eyed Boy From Freecloud," "Space Oddity," "Amsterdam," "Andy Warhol," "I Feel Free," "Round And Round," "Suffragette City," "Waiting For The Man," and "Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide." Notably, "Suffragette City" was performed live here just eight days after its recording session, showcasing Bowie's rapid integration of new material into his live performances.

Audience: Among the audience were notable figures like Queen's guitarist Brian May, who was an Imperial College student at the time, and drummer Roger Taylor. The support act for this concert was The Sutherland Brothers.

Cost and Atmosphere: Tickets for the show were priced at 50 pence, which was quite affordable, contributing to a packed house. The performance was described as captivating, with Bowie bringing a theatrical element to rock music, enchanting the audience with his stage presence and song selections.

Media Coverage: The concert was documented by various sources over the years. French TV film crew Claude Ventura was present to capture footage for the 'Pop Deux' program, illustrating the growing international interest in Bowie's performances. There's also mention of a color version of "Suffragette City" from this concert being restored and shared online, highlighting its historical significance.

Impact: This show was part of the series of performances that helped define the Ziggy Stardust persona and establish Bowie's reputation for innovative live shows that combined music with theater, fashion, and performance art.