FRIDAY NIGHT IN CONCERT
March’s Line Up
📆 10th March 19:00 - 21:00 [GMT]
BIFFY CLYRO
Recorded on the 9th of September 2021, Glasgow Green, Scotland. ©️BBC Scotland / Multiplatform Productions
We couldn’t be prouder to kick-off the Friday Night in Concert gig sessions this month with Glasgow’s favourite sons, the electrifying Biffy Clyro.
Finally managing to kick off the Fingers Crossed tour properly at the third time of asking (and in the third venue booked) they took over the TRNSMT site at Glasgow Green, and proceeded to show 40,000 fans exactly what they’d been missing over the last couple of years, due to the covid pandemic.
By the time Machines rolls around to close the show, the sense of love and community across Glasgow Green is palpable. There might’ve been signs everywhere recommending social distancing, but after two years of being unable to jump around with friends old and new in a field on a rainy evening, there was little chance of them being read, less so adhered to. There are hugs, there are tears, but mainly there is joy. A celebration, in the very truest sense of the word.
📆 17th March 19:00 - 21:00 [GMT]
LED ZEPPELIN
'From the Archives' - July 29th, 1973
Listed at #4 in our 'Iconic Rock Concerts' list is Led Zeppelin’s U.S. tour, which wound up at Madison Square Garden, N.Y. shattering attendance records, many previously held by the Beatles, and grossing some $4,000,000. The latter figure for the 33 dates is unofficial as the British quartet began withholding info after breaking Beatles marks to launch the tour in Atlanta and Tampa. The Garden concert was the third consecutive sell-out at the arena.
📆 24th March 19:00 - 21:00 [GMT]
IRON MAIDEN
Recorded on 13th September 2022, Moody Center, Austin Texas, U.S.A.
Any band with a long history of theatrical shows reaches a time when it faces a choice to either strip everything down and get back to the music or to somehow push the boat out even further. Iron Maiden’s Legacy of the Beast tour takes the latter course: it’s their most visually extravagant show ever. Their mascot, Eddie, appears first as a 12-foot trooper, sword-fighting with singer Bruce Dickinson, and then as a stage-dwarfing demon. There are pyrotechnics, a giant noose and a vast model of Icarus. Most eye-popping of all is the 90% life-size model of a second world war Spitfire, which “flies” over the stage and almost takes out drummer Nicko McBrain with its tailfin. As 10,000 people chant “Freedom! Freedom!” it seems Legacy of the Beast is a sort of conceptual state-of-the-world address, principally anti-war and anti-fascist, delivered via a heavy metal opera, divided into four sections: war, religion, hell, damnation – all the cheery stuff. The threat of dark forces isn’t the most original notion in a genre where demons and devils come along like buses, but makes for a powerful, brilliantly staged, two-hour rock show in which each song is a banger, from opener to the time they get to The Number of the Beast – for which the band play inside a mocked-up Hades – the house is beyond erupting all the way to the encore.
📆 31st March 19:00 - 21:00 [GMT]
AC/DC
‘From the Archives’ - Recorded on 2nd, 4th and 6th December 2009, at the Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires, Argentina ©️AC/DC all copyrights reserved
For most diehard AC/DC fans anything over six months would be far too long between live performances from the Australian greats. Magnify that tenfold for the average Argentinian fan and then consider the 13-year wait for the always-supportive South American punters and what happens is a riotous response from the 200,000 in a attendance across three sold out shows on the Black Ice World Tour at River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The concert itself is one of great songs tightly performed by true rock 'n' roll showman. Included is the ADHD-on-wheels Angus Young who covers every inch of stage and runway, a lean-'n'-mean rabble rouser in Brian Johnson, and a fabulous stage show that features pyrotechnics, big-screen animation, a giant inflatable Rosie (for "Whole Lotta Rosie"), the deafening "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)" cannon shots, Johnson swinging from a gigantic bell ("Hells Bells"), and Angus Young rising from the depths (below the stage) to perform "Highway to Hell".
ICONIC ROCK CONCERTS
TOP TEN
10. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Capitol Theatre, 1978
In 1978, Bruce Springsteen was already on his way to becoming one of the greatest rock acts of all time. In August 1978, Springsteen headlined Madison Square Garden (MSG) for the first time. However, it was three shows at New Jersey’s Capitol Theatre that have gone down in Springsteen folklore.
The Capitol Theatre is a small, intimate venue in comparison to MSG. When you combine that with Springsteen’s stunning sets, it is a deadly mix of entertainment. The legendary singer treated fans to many hits that night such as ‘Born to Run’, ‘Badlands’ and ‘Thunder Road’. Something magical happened across those three nights and is perfectly encapsulated in the version of ‘Because The Night’
9. THIN LIZZY
Slane Castle, 1981
Slane castle has seen many incredible performances over the years from Queen to Bowie to Eminem to Oasis and many more. In 1981, Thin Lizzy became the first band to ever headline Slane and set the benchmark for many legendary acts over the years.
Joining Thin Lizzy that day were U2, Hazel O’Connor, Rose Tattoo, Sweet Savage, The Bureau and Megahype. Thin Lizzy delivered an incredible performance on that fateful day.
Slane castle holds a significant place in the hearts of Irish rock fans. Slane concerts are huge and artists who headline the cherish ground in Co. Meath know this. Thin Lizzy deserve a huge amount of credit for making Slane what it is today.
8. FREDDIE MERCURY TRIBUTE CONCERT
Wembley Stadium, 1992
Wembley stadium makes its first appearance on this list. In 1992 in front of a sold out crowd, huge names from the music world descended on the London stadium. It was a benefit concert for Freddie Mercury. Mercury died of Aids and all proceeds of the concert went to charities related to the disease.
Bob Geldof, U2, Def Leppard, Spinal Tap, Metallica, and Guns N Roses all performed sets on that day. Queen also performed that day. The band had guest appearances on all the songs they played that day. Legendary artists such as David Bowie, Elton John, and Robert Plant all performed with Queen. James Hetfield and Axl Rose had double duties that day and also performed with the remaining members of Queen.
A sold out show, filled to brim with the best and most legendary musicians of our age in a historical venue for a great cause is certainly iconic. Any video could be used to show how brilliant this concert was, but Bohemian Rhapsody with Queen, Elton John and Axl Rose is hard to beat.
7. METALLICA
Antarctica, 2013
2013 was a record breaking year for Metallica. They became the only band in history to play concerts in all seven continents. The fact they did it in one year is even more impressive. The band, crew and fans embarked on a week’s voyage to and around Antarctica from South America.
The band played at the Argentinian Carlini Scientific base. Instead of a P.A. system the band played their set through headphones, like a silent disco. Metallica played inside a dome, another measure to protect the landscape of Antarctica. In a kind gesture from Metallica, an additional three other domes were donated to the base.
The band played a greatest hits set that lasted over an hour. Throughout the near 40 year career, Metallica have played some unique and interesting concerts, however, a show at the bottom of the world is by far their most unique.