David Bowie 1987 – Glass Spider Era
The David Bowie Glass Spider Tour began on 30 May 1987 and concluded on 28 November 1987.
It featured 86 shows across 3 legs, making it one of Bowie’s most ambitious tours of the 1980s.
Tour band
- David Bowie – vocals, guitar
- Peter Frampton – guitar, vocals
- Carlos Alomar – guitar, backing vocals, music director
- Carmine Rojas – bass guitar
- Alan Childs – drums
- Erdal Kızılçay – keyboards, trumpet, congas, violin, backing vocals
- Richard Cottle – keyboards, saxophone, tambourine, backing vocals
Tour dancers
- Melissa Hurley
- Constance Marie
- Spazz Attack (Craig Allen Rothwell)
- Viktor Manoel
- Stephen Nichols
- Toni Basil (choreography)
Tour design
- Allen Branton – lighting design
- Mark Ravitz – set design
- Christine Strand – video director
40th Birthday & Theatrical Blueprints – January 1987
📅 1987-01-08
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: 40th Birthday Celebration
🗒️ Note: David celebrates his 40th birthday privately at his home in Switzerland. He views this milestone as the perfect moment to launch his most theatrical project yet, transitioning from a film star back to a rock frontman.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: 40th Birthday Celebration
🗒️ Note: David celebrates his 40th birthday privately at his home in Switzerland. He views this milestone as the perfect moment to launch his most theatrical project yet, transitioning from a film star back to a rock frontman.
📅 1987-01-15
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Isolar Office / EMI America
🎸 Event: Production Strategy: ‘Day-In Day-Out’ Video
🗒️ Note: David meets with director Julien Temple to finalize the storyboard for the lead single’s music video. David insists on a gritty, social-realist style to highlight the lyrics’ commentary on urban poverty.
🏛️ Isolar Office / EMI America
🎸 Event: Production Strategy: ‘Day-In Day-Out’ Video
🗒️ Note: David meets with director Julien Temple to finalize the storyboard for the lead single’s music video. David insists on a gritty, social-realist style to highlight the lyrics’ commentary on urban poverty.
📅 1987-01-27
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Home Studio
🎸 Event: Finalizing ‘Glass Spider’ Band Lineup
🗒️ Note: David secures Peter Frampton as lead guitarist and Carlos Alomar as rhythm guitarist for the upcoming tour. This choice signals David’s desire for a powerful, guitar-driven rock sound to balance the heavy theatrical production.
🏛️ Home Studio
🎸 Event: Finalizing ‘Glass Spider’ Band Lineup
🗒️ Note: David secures Peter Frampton as lead guitarist and Carlos Alomar as rhythm guitarist for the upcoming tour. This choice signals David’s desire for a powerful, guitar-driven rock sound to balance the heavy theatrical production.
📅 1987-01-31
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Strategic Shift
🗒️ Note: David concludes January with the visual and musical foundations of 1987 firmly in place. His focus has now shifted entirely to the immense logistical challenges of the ‘Glass Spider’ stage, designed to be the largest touring set in rock history.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Strategic Shift
🗒️ Note: David concludes January with the visual and musical foundations of 1987 firmly in place. His focus has now shifted entirely to the immense logistical challenges of the ‘Glass Spider’ stage, designed to be the largest touring set in rock history.
Skid Row Visuals & Global Strategy – February 1987
📅 1987-02-09
📍 Los Angeles, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Skid Row / Various Locations
🎸 Event: Filming: ‘Day-In Day-Out’ Music Video
🗒️ Note: David films the gritty, social-realist music video for his lead single with director Julien Temple. The video’s stark portrayal of urban decay and homelessness leads to immediate censorship battles with major broadcasters.
🏛️ Skid Row / Various Locations
🎸 Event: Filming: ‘Day-In Day-Out’ Music Video
🗒️ Note: David films the gritty, social-realist music video for his lead single with director Julien Temple. The video’s stark portrayal of urban decay and homelessness leads to immediate censorship battles with major broadcasters.
📅 1987-02-18
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Isolar Office / EMI America
🎸 Event: Marketing Review: ‘Never Let Me Down’ Artwork
🗒️ Note: David approves the final, intentionally cluttered and theatrical cover art. The visual aesthetic is designed to mirror the expansive, stage-managed feel of the upcoming tour.
🏛️ Isolar Office / EMI America
🎸 Event: Marketing Review: ‘Never Let Me Down’ Artwork
🗒️ Note: David approves the final, intentionally cluttered and theatrical cover art. The visual aesthetic is designed to mirror the expansive, stage-managed feel of the upcoming tour.
📅 1987-02-24
📍 London / Los Angeles
🏛️ Post-Production / Editing Suites
🎸 Event: Censorship: ‘Day-In Day-Out’ Re-edit
🗒️ Note: Due to the controversial nature of certain scenes, David oversees a censored cut of the video to ensure airplay. Despite the edits, David remains defiant about the track’s lyrical message regarding the failure of the American dream.
🏛️ Post-Production / Editing Suites
🎸 Event: Censorship: ‘Day-In Day-Out’ Re-edit
🗒️ Note: Due to the controversial nature of certain scenes, David oversees a censored cut of the video to ensure airplay. Despite the edits, David remains defiant about the track’s lyrical message regarding the failure of the American dream.
📅 1987-02-28
📍 Los Angeles, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Press Junket Planning
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Preparing for the Spider Flight
🗒️ Note: David concludes February by finalizing the logistics for the “Spider Press Tour.” David’s transition back to a full-time rock frontman is now complete, with his private jet prepared for the 9-city global blitz starting in March.
🏛️ Press Junket Planning
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Preparing for the Spider Flight
🗒️ Note: David concludes February by finalizing the logistics for the “Spider Press Tour.” David’s transition back to a full-time rock frontman is now complete, with his private jet prepared for the 9-city global blitz starting in March.
The Spider Press Tour & Global Launch – March 1987
📅 1987-03-17
📍 Toronto, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Diamond Club
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: David officially launches his global press tour. Accompanied by Peter Frampton, he introduces the ‘Glass Spider’ concept to the North American media as part of a high-speed junket visiting 9 cities in 2 weeks.
🏛️ Diamond Club
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: David officially launches his global press tour. Accompanied by Peter Frampton, he introduces the ‘Glass Spider’ concept to the North American media as part of a high-speed junket visiting 9 cities in 2 weeks.
📅 1987-03-18
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Cat Club
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: The New York leg of the press blitz. David conducts interviews and explains the theatrical ambition of the upcoming shows, emphasizing a return to a more guitar-oriented rock sound.
🏛️ Cat Club
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: The New York leg of the press blitz. David conducts interviews and explains the theatrical ambition of the upcoming shows, emphasizing a return to a more guitar-oriented rock sound.
📅 1987-03-20
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Player’s Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: UK Single Release: ‘Day-In Day-Out’
🗒️ Note: The lead single from ‘Never Let Me Down’ is officially released in the UK. David continues his promotional flight across Europe while the track begins its ascent in the charts.
🏛️ Player’s Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: UK Single Release: ‘Day-In Day-Out’
🗒️ Note: The lead single from ‘Never Let Me Down’ is officially released in the UK. David continues his promotional flight across Europe while the track begins its ascent in the charts.
📅 1987-03-21
📍 Paris, 🇫🇷 France
🏛️ La Locomotive
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: David presents the tour concept to the French media. These club appearances are essential for building the massive anticipation surrounding his transition back to a full-time touring artist.
🏛️ La Locomotive
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: David presents the tour concept to the French media. These club appearances are essential for building the massive anticipation surrounding his transition back to a full-time touring artist.
📅 1987-03-24
📍 Madrid, 🇪🇸 Spain
🏛️ Halquera Plateaux
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: Continuing the European leg, David meets the Spanish press to discuss the theatrical scale of the spider set, designed to be the largest touring structure of its time.
🏛️ Halquera Plateaux
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: Continuing the European leg, David meets the Spanish press to discuss the theatrical scale of the spider set, designed to be the largest touring structure of its time.
📅 1987-03-25
📍 Rome, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Piper
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: The Italian press junket. David’s presence during these short club segments ensures that European stadium dates sell out almost instantly.
🏛️ Piper
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: The Italian press junket. David’s presence during these short club segments ensures that European stadium dates sell out almost instantly.
📅 1987-03-26
📍 Munich, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Park Cafe Löwenbräu
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: David unveils the tour plans to the German media, reinforcing the narrative of his artistic rebirth through the ‘Never Let Me Down’ project.
🏛️ Park Cafe Löwenbräu
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: David unveils the tour plans to the German media, reinforcing the narrative of his artistic rebirth through the ‘Never Let Me Down’ project.
📅 1987-03-28
📍 Stockholm, 🇸🇪 Sweden
🏛️ Ritz
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: The Scandinavian leg of the promotional flight. David remains focused on the “theatrical rock” aspect of the upcoming production.
🏛️ Ritz
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: The Scandinavian leg of the promotional flight. David remains focused on the “theatrical rock” aspect of the upcoming production.
📅 1987-03-30
📍 Amsterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Paradiso
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: David visits the legendary Paradiso. The Dutch press is particularly enthusiastic about David’s return to a more conceptual and grand stage show.
🏛️ Paradiso
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Glass Spider Press Tour Showcase
🗒️ Note: David visits the legendary Paradiso. The Dutch press is particularly enthusiastic about David’s return to a more conceptual and grand stage show.
📅 1987-03-31
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Entertainment Centre
🎸 Event: Press Tour Conclusion: Australian Launch
🗒️ Note: David concludes the global press blitz in Sydney. After two weeks of intense travel, the ‘Glass Spider’ hype has reached a fever pitch worldwide.
🏛️ Entertainment Centre
🎸 Event: Press Tour Conclusion: Australian Launch
🗒️ Note: David concludes the global press blitz in Sydney. After two weeks of intense travel, the ‘Glass Spider’ hype has reached a fever pitch worldwide.
Album Launch & Glass Spider Logistics – April 1987
📅 1987-04-01
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ BBC Broadcasting House
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Radio Promotion: ‘Never Let Me Down’ Blitz
🗒️ Note: David conducts a series of intensive interviews for BBC Radio 1. He discusses the theatrical rock direction of the new album and his desire to return to a more collaborative band environment.
🏛️ BBC Broadcasting House
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Radio Promotion: ‘Never Let Me Down’ Blitz
🗒️ Note: David conducts a series of intensive interviews for BBC Radio 1. He discusses the theatrical rock direction of the new album and his desire to return to a more collaborative band environment.
📅 1987-04-04
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Music Video Channels (MTV/BBC)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Video Premiere: ‘Day-In Day-Out’
🗒️ Note: The cinematic music video directed by Julien Temple is premiered. Due to its gritty depiction of urban violence and a controversial “censored” scene, it generates significant media attention ahead of the album release.
🏛️ Music Video Channels (MTV/BBC)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Video Premiere: ‘Day-In Day-Out’
🗒️ Note: The cinematic music video directed by Julien Temple is premiered. Due to its gritty depiction of urban violence and a controversial “censored” scene, it generates significant media attention ahead of the album release.
📅 1987-04-06
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ SIR Studios
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Rehearsals: Band & Choreography Start
🗒️ Note: David begins intensive 12-hour-a-day rehearsals in New York. While the band, led by Carlos Alomar, works on the music, David starts training with the five dancers to master the complex stage movements.
🏛️ SIR Studios
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Rehearsals: Band & Choreography Start
🗒️ Note: David begins intensive 12-hour-a-day rehearsals in New York. While the band, led by Carlos Alomar, works on the music, David starts training with the five dancers to master the complex stage movements.
📅 1987-04-10
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ EMI Records / Global Release
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Album Release: ‘Never Let Me Down’
🗒️ Note: David’s seventeenth studio album is released worldwide. Featuring lead guitar by Peter Frampton and collaborations with Erdal Kizilcay, the record marks David’s shift back to a rock-oriented sound.
🏛️ EMI Records / Global Release
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Album Release: ‘Never Let Me Down’
🗒️ Note: David’s seventeenth studio album is released worldwide. Featuring lead guitar by Peter Frampton and collaborations with Erdal Kizilcay, the record marks David’s shift back to a rock-oriented sound.
📅 1987-04-17
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Press Conference / Stadium Briefing
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: World Tour Announcement: The Glass Spider
🗒️ Note: David officially unveils the full scale of his upcoming tour. He reveals the 60-foot-high spider structure and the team of dancers, describing the show as a fusion of rock music and avant-garde theater.
🏛️ Press Conference / Stadium Briefing
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: World Tour Announcement: The Glass Spider
🗒️ Note: David officially unveils the full scale of his upcoming tour. He reveals the 60-foot-high spider structure and the team of dancers, describing the show as a fusion of rock music and avant-garde theater.
📅 1987-04-20
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Isolar Office
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Tour Preparation: Setlist Finalization
🗒️ Note: David and Carlos Alomar finalize the core setlist. The selection is designed to balance the new material with older hits like “Up The Hill Backwards” and “Sons of the Silent Age,” which hadn’t been performed live in years.
🏛️ Isolar Office
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Tour Preparation: Setlist Finalization
🗒️ Note: David and Carlos Alomar finalize the core setlist. The selection is designed to balance the new material with older hits like “Up The Hill Backwards” and “Sons of the Silent Age,” which hadn’t been performed live in years.
📅 1987-04-27
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Stadium De Kuip
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Logistics: European Base Selection
🗒️ Note: Rotterdam is confirmed as the primary rehearsal and launch base for the European tour. Technical crews begin surveying De Kuip for the massive structural requirements of the spider stage.
🏛️ Stadium De Kuip
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Logistics: European Base Selection
🗒️ Note: Rotterdam is confirmed as the primary rehearsal and launch base for the European tour. Technical crews begin surveying De Kuip for the massive structural requirements of the spider stage.
📅 1987-04-30
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Chart Performance
🗒️ Note: David concludes April with the album reaching the top 10 in over a dozen countries. He prepares to leave for the intensive physical rehearsals in Rotterdam required for the show’s complex choreography.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Chart Performance
🗒️ Note: David concludes April with the album reaching the top 10 in over a dozen countries. He prepares to leave for the intensive physical rehearsals in Rotterdam required for the show’s complex choreography.
Europe
Rotterdam Rehearsals & The Spider’s First Stand – May 1987
📅 1987-05-11
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Arrival in Rotterdam: European Rehearsal Base
🗒️ Note: David and his production team arrive in the Netherlands. De Kuip is selected as the primary base for the final phase of rehearsals because it is one of the few stadiums capable of housing the massive 60-foot Glass Spider structure.
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Arrival in Rotterdam: European Rehearsal Base
🗒️ Note: David and his production team arrive in the Netherlands. De Kuip is selected as the primary base for the final phase of rehearsals because it is one of the few stadiums capable of housing the massive 60-foot Glass Spider structure.
📅 1987-05-18
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Production Rehearsals: Sound and Lighting
🗒️ Note: The full band, including Peter Frampton and Carlos Alomar, begins technical rehearsals. This week focuses on synchronizing the complex 435,000-watt sound system with the intricate lighting cues and the spider’s internal video screens.
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Production Rehearsals: Sound and Lighting
🗒️ Note: The full band, including Peter Frampton and Carlos Alomar, begins technical rehearsals. This week focuses on synchronizing the complex 435,000-watt sound system with the intricate lighting cues and the spider’s internal video screens.
📅 1987-05-25
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Full Dress Rehearsals: Theatrical Integration
🗒️ Note: David begins the first “run-throughs” in full costume. These rehearsals are grueling, involving the five dancers and high-wire stunts. David practices the descent from the spider’s belly for the opening of the show.
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Full Dress Rehearsals: Theatrical Integration
🗒️ Note: David begins the first “run-throughs” in full costume. These rehearsals are grueling, involving the five dancers and high-wire stunts. David practices the descent from the spider’s belly for the opening of the show.
📅 1987-05-27
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Public Dress Rehearsal: ‘The Preview’
🗒️ Note: A full dress rehearsal is performed in front of a small invited audience and competition winners. It is the first time the theatrical narrative of the Glass Spider is tested in a stadium environment.
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Public Dress Rehearsal: ‘The Preview’
🗒️ Note: A full dress rehearsal is performed in front of a small invited audience and competition winners. It is the first time the theatrical narrative of the Glass Spider is tested in a stadium environment.
📅 1987-05-30
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Tour Premiere: Glass Spider World Tour Opening
🗒️ Note: The Glass Spider Tour officially begins with the world premiere at De Kuip. The show opens with David being lowered from the spider’s head while singing ‘Glass Spider’, marking his return to large-scale stadium performance.
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Tour Premiere: Glass Spider World Tour Opening
🗒️ Note: The Glass Spider Tour officially begins with the world premiere at De Kuip. The show opens with David being lowered from the spider’s head while singing ‘Glass Spider’, marking his return to large-scale stadium performance.
📅 1987-05-31
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Second Night in Rotterdam
🗒️ Note: The second performance at De Kuip. Despite mixed critical reviews regarding the complexity of the theatrical elements, the show is a commercial triumph, playing to a sold-out stadium.
🏛️ Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Second Night in Rotterdam
🗒️ Note: The second performance at De Kuip. Despite mixed critical reviews regarding the complexity of the theatrical elements, the show is a commercial triumph, playing to a sold-out stadium.
📅 1987-05-31
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Hotel Suite / Travel Day
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Launch Successful
🗒️ Note: David concludes May having successfully launched the most complex tour of his career. The production team begins dismantling the spider to transport it to the next tour stop in Brussels.
🏛️ Hotel Suite / Travel Day
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Launch Successful
🗒️ Note: David concludes May having successfully launched the most complex tour of his career. The production team begins dismantling the spider to transport it to the next tour stop in Brussels.
European Stadium Blitz & The Berlin Wall – June 1987
📅 1987-06-02
📍 Werchter, 🇧🇪 Belgium
🏛️ Rock Werchter Festival Site
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Glass Spider Tour
🗒️ Note: David performs his first show in Belgium for this tour. The massive scale of the production requires significant adjustments to the festival site to accommodate the spider structure.
🏛️ Rock Werchter Festival Site
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Glass Spider Tour
🗒️ Note: David performs his first show in Belgium for this tour. The massive scale of the production requires significant adjustments to the festival site to accommodate the spider structure.
📅 1987-06-06
📍 Berlin, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Platz der Republik (Reichstag)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Historic Berlin Performance
🗒️ Note: A landmark event where the stage is set up in front of the Reichstag. David famously addresses the fans in East Berlin over the PA system, leading to emotional scenes and minor riots on the other side of the Wall.
🏛️ Platz der Republik (Reichstag)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Historic Berlin Performance
🗒️ Note: A landmark event where the stage is set up in front of the Reichstag. David famously addresses the fans in East Berlin over the PA system, leading to emotional scenes and minor riots on the other side of the Wall.
📅 1987-06-07
📍 Nürburgring, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Rock am Ring
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Rock am Ring Festival
🗒️ Note: David headlines the prestigious German festival. The performance is noted for its high energy despite the logistical challenges of moving the spider stage overnight from Berlin.
🏛️ Rock am Ring
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Rock am Ring Festival
🗒️ Note: David headlines the prestigious German festival. The performance is noted for its high energy despite the logistical challenges of moving the spider stage overnight from Berlin.
📅 1987-06-09
📍 Florence, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Stadio Comunale
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Italian Leg Launch
🗒️ Note: The first of several Italian stadium dates. The theatrical nature of the show receives a warm reception from the Italian audience.
🏛️ Stadio Comunale
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Italian Leg Launch
🗒️ Note: The first of several Italian stadium dates. The theatrical nature of the show receives a warm reception from the Italian audience.
📅 1987-06-10
📍 Milan, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Stadio San Siro
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: San Siro Performance
🗒️ Note: A massive turnout at Milan’s iconic stadium. David’s interaction with Peter Frampton during the guitar duels becomes a highlight of the set.
🏛️ Stadio San Siro
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: San Siro Performance
🗒️ Note: A massive turnout at Milan’s iconic stadium. David’s interaction with Peter Frampton during the guitar duels becomes a highlight of the set.
📅 1987-06-13
📍 Hamburg, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Festwiese Am Stadtpark
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Hamburg Open Air
🗒️ Note: David returns to Germany for an open-air performance. Technical adjustments are made to the sound system to improve clarity in the large outdoor space.
🏛️ Festwiese Am Stadtpark
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Hamburg Open Air
🗒️ Note: David returns to Germany for an open-air performance. Technical adjustments are made to the sound system to improve clarity in the large outdoor space.
📅 1987-06-15
📍 Rome, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Stadio Flaminio
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Rome First Night
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights in the Italian capital. David spends time visiting historical sites in the city between rehearsals and the show.
🏛️ Stadio Flaminio
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Rome First Night
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights in the Italian capital. David spends time visiting historical sites in the city between rehearsals and the show.
📅 1987-06-16
📍 Rome, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Stadio Flaminio
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Rome Second Night
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Rome confirms the massive commercial success of the tour’s Italian leg.
🏛️ Stadio Flaminio
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Rome Second Night
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Rome confirms the massive commercial success of the tour’s Italian leg.
📅 1987-06-19
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Wembley Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Wembley Homecoming
🗒️ Note: David’s grand return to London. The scale of the production is at its peak here, with the spider dominating the Wembley pitch.
🏛️ Wembley Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Wembley Homecoming
🗒️ Note: David’s grand return to London. The scale of the production is at its peak here, with the spider dominating the Wembley pitch.
📅 1987-06-20
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Wembley Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Wembley Second Night
🗒️ Note: The second sold-out night at Wembley. This performance is heavily documented by the British press.
🏛️ Wembley Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Wembley Second Night
🗒️ Note: The second sold-out night at Wembley. This performance is heavily documented by the British press.
📅 1987-06-21
📍 Cardiff, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Cardiff Arms Park
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Welsh Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Wales to a massive crowd. The logistics of moving the stage from London to Cardiff in under 24 hours are successfully executed.
🏛️ Cardiff Arms Park
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Welsh Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Wales to a massive crowd. The logistics of moving the stage from London to Cardiff in under 24 hours are successfully executed.
📅 1987-06-23
📍 Sunderland, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Roker Park
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: North East England
🗒️ Note: David performs at the home of Sunderland AFC. The show is marked by heavy rain, but the performance continues without technical failure.
🏛️ Roker Park
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: North East England
🗒️ Note: David performs at the home of Sunderland AFC. The show is marked by heavy rain, but the performance continues without technical failure.
📅 1987-06-27
📍 Gothenburg, 🇸🇪 Sweden
🏛️ Eriksbergsvarvet
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Eriksberg Festival
🗒️ Note: Originally scheduled for Ullevi Stadium, the concert is moved to the Eriksberg Festival Site due to structural concerns at the stadium from previous concerts.
🏛️ Eriksbergsvarvet
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Eriksberg Festival
🗒️ Note: Originally scheduled for Ullevi Stadium, the concert is moved to the Eriksberg Festival Site due to structural concerns at the stadium from previous concerts.
📅 1987-06-28
📍 Lyon, 🇫🇷 France
🏛️ Stade de Gerland
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Lyon Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Lyon as the European tour continues its high-speed schedule.
🏛️ Stade de Gerland
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Lyon Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Lyon as the European tour continues its high-speed schedule.
📅 1987-06-30
📍 Marseille, 🇫🇷 France
🏛️ Stade Vélodrome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Stadium Endurance
🗒️ Note: David concludes a grueling month of 14 major stadium performances across Europe. The tour is now a proven commercial juggernaut, despite the physical toll on the performers.
🏛️ Stade Vélodrome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Stadium Endurance
🗒️ Note: David concludes a grueling month of 14 major stadium performances across Europe. The tour is now a proven commercial juggernaut, despite the physical toll on the performers.
European Summer Blitz & The Slane Castle Milestone – July 1987
📅 1987-07-01
📍 Vienna, 🇦🇹 Austria
🏛️ Praterstadion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Austrian Premiere
🗒️ Note: David performs his first-ever concert in Austria. The massive Praterstadion provides the perfect scale for the 60-foot spider structure, though local critics remain divided on the theatrical nature of the show.
🏛️ Praterstadion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Austrian Premiere
🗒️ Note: David performs his first-ever concert in Austria. The massive Praterstadion provides the perfect scale for the 60-foot spider structure, though local critics remain divided on the theatrical nature of the show.
📅 1987-07-03
📍 Paris, 🇫🇷 France
🏛️ Parc départemental de La Courneuve
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Paris Open Air
🗒️ Note: A major event in the French capital. The performance is noted for its high-energy delivery of ‘Never Let Me Down’ tracks, with Peter Frampton’s guitar work being a standout feature for the Parisian crowd.
🏛️ Parc départemental de La Courneuve
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Paris Open Air
🗒️ Note: A major event in the French capital. The performance is noted for its high-energy delivery of ‘Never Let Me Down’ tracks, with Peter Frampton’s guitar work being a standout feature for the Parisian crowd.
📅 1987-07-04
📍 Toulouse, 🇫🇷 France
🏛️ Stadium Municipal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: French Stadium Run
🗒️ Note: The tour continues its journey through France. This show is marked by extreme summer heat, which David later recalls as a significant physical challenge for the dancers and the technical crew.
🏛️ Stadium Municipal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: French Stadium Run
🗒️ Note: The tour continues its journey through France. This show is marked by extreme summer heat, which David later recalls as a significant physical challenge for the dancers and the technical crew.
📅 1987-07-06
📍 Madrid, 🇪🇸 Spain
🏛️ Vicente Calderón Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Spanish Stadium Premiere
🗒️ Note: David lands in Madrid for one of the tour’s most anticipated shows. The Spanish audience’s reception is overwhelmingly positive, solidifying the tour’s commercial success in Southern Europe.
🏛️ Vicente Calderón Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Spanish Stadium Premiere
🗒️ Note: David lands in Madrid for one of the tour’s most anticipated shows. The Spanish audience’s reception is overwhelmingly positive, solidifying the tour’s commercial success in Southern Europe.
📅 1987-07-07
📍 Barcelona, 🇪🇸 Spain
🏛️ Ministadio C.F.
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Barcelona Night One
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights in Barcelona. Despite the “mini” in the stadium’s name, the full Glass Spider production is successfully staged, including the complex aerial stunts.
🏛️ Ministadio C.F.
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Barcelona Night One
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights in Barcelona. Despite the “mini” in the stadium’s name, the full Glass Spider production is successfully staged, including the complex aerial stunts.
📅 1987-07-08
📍 Barcelona, 🇪🇸 Spain
🏛️ Ministadio C.F.
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Barcelona Night Two
🗒️ Note: David concludes his Spanish stay. This show is often cited in production logs for its flawless technical execution despite the logistical pressure of back-to-back stadium dates.
🏛️ Ministadio C.F.
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Barcelona Night Two
🗒️ Note: David concludes his Spanish stay. This show is often cited in production logs for its flawless technical execution despite the logistical pressure of back-to-back stadium dates.
📅 1987-07-11
📍 County Meath, 🇮🇪 Ireland
🏛️ Slane Castle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Historic Slane Festival
🗒️ Note: A legendary moment in Bowie’s touring history. Playing to over 80,000 people, this is David’s first-ever performance in Ireland. The event is marked by a massive, enthusiastic crowd and is considered a peak of the European leg.
🏛️ Slane Castle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Historic Slane Festival
🗒️ Note: A legendary moment in Bowie’s touring history. Playing to over 80,000 people, this is David’s first-ever performance in Ireland. The event is marked by a massive, enthusiastic crowd and is considered a peak of the European leg.
📅 1987-07-14
📍 Manchester, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Maine Road Football Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Manchester Return Night One
🗒️ Note: David brings the spider back to the UK. The Manchester audience receives the show with high energy, particularly during the older classics like “All The Madmen.”
🏛️ Maine Road Football Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Manchester Return Night One
🗒️ Note: David brings the spider back to the UK. The Manchester audience receives the show with high energy, particularly during the older classics like “All The Madmen.”
📅 1987-07-15
📍 Manchester, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Maine Road Football Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Manchester Return Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second sold-out performance at Maine Road. This date also coincides with the official UK chart entry of the second single, “Time Will Crawl.”
🏛️ Maine Road Football Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Manchester Return Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second sold-out performance at Maine Road. This date also coincides with the official UK chart entry of the second single, “Time Will Crawl.”
📅 1987-07-17
📍 Nice, 🇫🇷 France
🏛️ Stade de l’Ouest (Nice)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Riviera Performance
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to the Mediterranean coast. David uses the local climate to capture additional film footage for tour documentaries.
🏛️ Stade de l’Ouest (Nice)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Riviera Performance
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to the Mediterranean coast. David uses the local climate to capture additional film footage for tour documentaries.
📅 1987-07-18
📍 Turin, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Stadio Comunale di Torino
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Italian Stadium Show
🗒️ Note: A massive turnout in Turin. David’s interaction with the Italian fans is described as particularly electric, marking the final stage of the tour’s European stadium run.
🏛️ Stadio Comunale di Torino
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Italian Stadium Show
🗒️ Note: A massive turnout in Turin. David’s interaction with the Italian fans is described as particularly electric, marking the final stage of the tour’s European stadium run.
📅 1987-07-25
📍 London / New York
🏛️ Isolar Logistics Office
🎸 Event: Logistics: Transatlantic Equipment Move
🗒️ Note: Following the final European shows, the technical team begins the massive task of shipping the Glass Spider stages across the Atlantic for the North American leg.
🏛️ Isolar Logistics Office
🎸 Event: Logistics: Transatlantic Equipment Move
🗒️ Note: Following the final European shows, the technical team begins the massive task of shipping the Glass Spider stages across the Atlantic for the North American leg.
North America
📅 1987-07-28
📍 Philadelphia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Veterans Stadium
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: US Launch Readiness
🗒️ Note: David arrives in the United States to prepare for the American launch. The European leg is officially declared a record-breaking commercial success.
🏛️ Veterans Stadium
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: US Launch Readiness
🗒️ Note: David arrives in the United States to prepare for the American launch. The European leg is officially declared a record-breaking commercial success.
📅 1987-07-30
📍 Philadelphia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Veterans Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📍 Philadelphia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Veterans Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1987-07-31
📍 Philadelphia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Veterans Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📍 Philadelphia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Veterans Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
North American Stadium Invasion – August 1987
📅 1987-08-02
📍 East Rutherford, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Giants Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Glass Spider US Launch
🗒️ Note: David performs the first of two nights at Giants Stadium. Following intensive rehearsals at the Staten Island Armory, the scale of the production is fully realized for the American audience.
🏛️ Giants Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Glass Spider US Launch
🗒️ Note: David performs the first of two nights at Giants Stadium. Following intensive rehearsals at the Staten Island Armory, the scale of the production is fully realized for the American audience.
📅 1987-08-03
📍 East Rutherford, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Giants Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Giants Stadium Second Night
🗒️ Note: The second performance in New Jersey. The show is marked by a massive media presence, as this leg of the tour is heavily scrutinized by the US press.
🏛️ Giants Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Giants Stadium Second Night
🗒️ Note: The second performance in New Jersey. The show is marked by a massive media presence, as this leg of the tour is heavily scrutinized by the US press.
📅 1987-08-07
📍 San Jose, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Spartan Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: West Coast Premiere
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to California. David continues to refine the theatrical cues, with the dance troupe led by Toni Basil performing at peak synchronization.
🏛️ Spartan Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: West Coast Premiere
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to California. David continues to refine the theatrical cues, with the dance troupe led by Toni Basil performing at peak synchronization.
📅 1987-08-08
📍 Anaheim, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Anaheim Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Anaheim Night One
🗒️ Note: A massive stadium performance in Southern California. The setlist remains focused on the “theatrical rock” concept, blending 80s hits with new material.
🏛️ Anaheim Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Anaheim Night One
🗒️ Note: A massive stadium performance in Southern California. The setlist remains focused on the “theatrical rock” concept, blending 80s hits with new material.
📅 1987-08-09
📍 Anaheim, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Anaheim Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Anaheim Night Two
🗒️ Note: David concludes the Anaheim run. This show is later noted for its high attendance numbers, confirming the tour’s commercial status in the US.
🏛️ Anaheim Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Anaheim Night Two
🗒️ Note: David concludes the Anaheim run. This show is later noted for its high attendance numbers, confirming the tour’s commercial status in the US.
📅 1987-08-11
📍 Los Angeles, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Music Video Premiere
🎸 Event: Video Release: ‘Never Let Me Down’
🗒️ Note: The music video for the title track, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, is officially released. The dreamlike, stylized visuals stand in sharp contrast to the gritty ‘Day-In Day-Out’ video released earlier in the year.
🏛️ Music Video Premiere
🎸 Event: Video Release: ‘Never Let Me Down’
🗒️ Note: The music video for the title track, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, is officially released. The dreamlike, stylized visuals stand in sharp contrast to the gritty ‘Day-In Day-Out’ video released earlier in the year.
📅 1987-08-12
📍 Denver, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Mile High Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: High Altitude Performance
🗒️ Note: The tour hits Colorado. Performing at high altitude proves a physical test for David and the dancers during the high-energy segments of the show.
🏛️ Mile High Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: High Altitude Performance
🗒️ Note: The tour hits Colorado. Performing at high altitude proves a physical test for David and the dancers during the high-energy segments of the show.
📅 1987-08-14
📍 Portland, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Civic Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Oregon Performance
🗒️ Note: A stadium date in the Pacific Northwest. Technical crews work overtime to manage the logistics of the spider structure across state lines.
🏛️ Civic Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Oregon Performance
🗒️ Note: A stadium date in the Pacific Northwest. Technical crews work overtime to manage the logistics of the spider structure across state lines.
📅 1987-08-15
📍 Vancouver, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ BC Place Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Canadian Leg Premiere
🗒️ Note: David enters Canada for the first of many stadium shows. BC Place’s indoor-stadium atmosphere enhances the lighting effects of the Glass Spider.
🏛️ BC Place Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Canadian Leg Premiere
🗒️ Note: David enters Canada for the first of many stadium shows. BC Place’s indoor-stadium atmosphere enhances the lighting effects of the Glass Spider.
📅 1987-08-17
📍 Edmonton, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Commonwealth Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Edmonton Performance
🗒️ Note: The tour continues through the Canadian prairies. David’s vocal performance on ‘Time Will Crawl’ is noted as a highlight of the evening.
🏛️ Commonwealth Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Edmonton Performance
🗒️ Note: The tour continues through the Canadian prairies. David’s vocal performance on ‘Time Will Crawl’ is noted as a highlight of the evening.
📅 1987-08-19
📍 Winnipeg, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Winnipeg Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Winnipeg Performance
🗒️ Note: A stadium show that sees a high turnout despite mid-week scheduling. The theatrical narrative remains the focal point of the production.
🏛️ Winnipeg Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Winnipeg Performance
🗒️ Note: A stadium show that sees a high turnout despite mid-week scheduling. The theatrical narrative remains the focal point of the production.
📅 1987-08-21
📍 Rosemont, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Rosemont Horizon
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Chicago Area Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to an indoor arena setting near Chicago. The intimacy of the venue compared to open-air stadiums changes the dynamic of the theatrical segments.
🏛️ Rosemont Horizon
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Chicago Area Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to an indoor arena setting near Chicago. The intimacy of the venue compared to open-air stadiums changes the dynamic of the theatrical segments.
📅 1987-08-22
📍 Rosemont, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Rosemont Horizon
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Chicago Area Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance at the Horizon. This show is frequently bootlegged due to the excellent acoustics of the venue and David’s relaxed performance.
🏛️ Rosemont Horizon
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Chicago Area Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance at the Horizon. This show is frequently bootlegged due to the excellent acoustics of the venue and David’s relaxed performance.
📅 1987-08-24
📍 Toronto, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Canadian National Exhibition Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Toronto Return Night One
🗒️ Note: David returns to Toronto, where he previously launched the press tour in March. The homecoming is a massive success with over 50,000 fans in attendance.
🏛️ Canadian National Exhibition Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Toronto Return Night One
🗒️ Note: David returns to Toronto, where he previously launched the press tour in March. The homecoming is a massive success with over 50,000 fans in attendance.
📅 1987-08-25
📍 Toronto, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Canadian National Exhibition Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Toronto Return Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second night at the CNE Stadium. The Canadian press praises the show’s ambition, despite earlier skepticism regarding the “Never Let Me Down” era.
🏛️ Canadian National Exhibition Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Toronto Return Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second night at the CNE Stadium. The Canadian press praises the show’s ambition, despite earlier skepticism regarding the “Never Let Me Down” era.
📅 1987-08-28
📍 Ottawa, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Frank Clair Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Ottawa Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Canada’s capital. The show features a high-energy version of ‘Modern Love’ as the finale, a staple of the 1987 setlist.
🏛️ Frank Clair Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Ottawa Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Canada’s capital. The show features a high-energy version of ‘Modern Love’ as the finale, a staple of the 1987 setlist.
📅 1987-08-30
📍 Montreal, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Olympic Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Montreal Performance
🗒️ Note: A massive turnout at the Olympic Stadium. This performance marks the end of a long run of Canadian stadium dates before heading back to the USA.
🏛️ Olympic Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Montreal Performance
🗒️ Note: A massive turnout at the Olympic Stadium. This performance marks the end of a long run of Canadian stadium dates before heading back to the USA.
📅 1987-08-31
📍 Montreal / Philadelphia
🏛️ Isolar Logistics
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: North American Momentum
🗒️ Note: David concludes August having performed 16 major shows across the US and Canada. The month is marked by a shift in media perception as the tour’s scale becomes a cultural talking point.
🏛️ Isolar Logistics
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: North American Momentum
🗒️ Note: David concludes August having performed 16 major shows across the US and Canada. The month is marked by a shift in media perception as the tour’s scale becomes a cultural talking point.
Madison Square Garden & The East Coast Sweep – September 1987
📅 1987-09-01
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: MSG Residency Night One
🗒️ Note: David returns to the world’s most famous arena. The transition from stadiums to an indoor arena setting allows for a much more controlled and impactful lighting display for the Spider structure.
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: MSG Residency Night One
🗒️ Note: David returns to the world’s most famous arena. The transition from stadiums to an indoor arena setting allows for a much more controlled and impactful lighting display for the Spider structure.
📅 1987-09-02
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: MSG Residency Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance at Madison Square Garden. This show is attended by numerous high-profile celebrities and peers, marking it as a major social event in the NYC music calendar.
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: MSG Residency Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance at Madison Square Garden. This show is attended by numerous high-profile celebrities and peers, marking it as a major social event in the NYC music calendar.
📅 1987-09-03
📍 Foxborough, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Sullivan Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Massachusetts Stadium Date
🗒️ Note: David performs at the home of the New England Patriots. Despite the move back to a large open-air venue, the theatrical choreography remains sharp.
🏛️ Sullivan Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Massachusetts Stadium Date
🗒️ Note: David performs at the home of the New England Patriots. Despite the move back to a large open-air venue, the theatrical choreography remains sharp.
📅 1987-09-06
📍 Chapel Hill, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Dean Smith Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: North Carolina Night One
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights at the Dean Smith Center. David’s vocal performance during the mid-tempo ‘Never Let Me Down’ tracks is highlighted as a tour peak by critics.
🏛️ Dean Smith Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: North Carolina Night One
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights at the Dean Smith Center. David’s vocal performance during the mid-tempo ‘Never Let Me Down’ tracks is highlighted as a tour peak by critics.
📅 1987-09-07
📍 Chapel Hill, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Dean Smith Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: North Carolina Night Two
🗒️ Note: David concludes the Chapel Hill residency. The technical crew begins the rapid breakdown to move the production to the Midwest.
🏛️ Dean Smith Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: North Carolina Night Two
🗒️ Note: David concludes the Chapel Hill residency. The technical crew begins the rapid breakdown to move the production to the Midwest.
📅 1987-09-10
📍 Milwaukee, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Marcus Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Milwaukee Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour arrives at the Marcus Amphitheater for two shows. These outdoor amphitheater dates offer a different acoustic dynamic than the indoor arenas.
🏛️ Marcus Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Milwaukee Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour arrives at the Marcus Amphitheater for two shows. These outdoor amphitheater dates offer a different acoustic dynamic than the indoor arenas.
📅 1987-09-11
📍 Milwaukee, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Marcus Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Milwaukee Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Milwaukee. David continues to rotate minor setlist variations to keep the band and dancers agile.
🏛️ Marcus Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Milwaukee Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Milwaukee. David continues to rotate minor setlist variations to keep the band and dancers agile.
📅 1987-09-12
📍 Pontiac, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Pontiac Silverdome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Detroit Area Stadium Show
🗒️ Note: A massive indoor stadium performance in Michigan. The sheer volume of the venue requires the audio team to deploy the maximum speaker wattage available to the tour.
🏛️ Pontiac Silverdome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Detroit Area Stadium Show
🗒️ Note: A massive indoor stadium performance in Michigan. The sheer volume of the venue requires the audio team to deploy the maximum speaker wattage available to the tour.
📅 1987-09-14
📍 Lexington, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Rupp Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Kentucky Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Lexington. The show is notable for the high level of audience participation during the older classics like “Modern Love.”
🏛️ Rupp Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Kentucky Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Lexington. The show is notable for the high level of audience participation during the older classics like “Modern Love.”
📅 1987-09-18
📍 Miami, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Miami Orange Bowl
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Florida Stadium Premiere
🗒️ Note: The tour heads south to the Orange Bowl. The high humidity presents a challenge for the elaborate costumes and the technical operation of the Spider’s moving parts.
🏛️ Miami Orange Bowl
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Florida Stadium Premiere
🗒️ Note: The tour heads south to the Orange Bowl. The high humidity presents a challenge for the elaborate costumes and the technical operation of the Spider’s moving parts.
📅 1987-09-19
📍 Tampa, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Tampa Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: The Tampa Incident
🗒️ Note: David performs at Tampa Stadium. This show becomes famous in tour history as a “Spider-burn” event where parts of the old stage set were reportedly ritualistically burned during the logistical transition.
🏛️ Tampa Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: The Tampa Incident
🗒️ Note: David performs at Tampa Stadium. This show becomes famous in tour history as a “Spider-burn” event where parts of the old stage set were reportedly ritualistically burned during the logistical transition.
📅 1987-09-21
📍 Atlanta, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Omni Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Atlanta Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour moves back indoors to the Omni Coliseum. David emphasizes his vocal delivery on the new material, seeking to win over the skeptical southern press.
🏛️ Omni Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Atlanta Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour moves back indoors to the Omni Coliseum. David emphasizes his vocal delivery on the new material, seeking to win over the skeptical southern press.
📅 1987-09-22
📍 Atlanta, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Omni Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Atlanta Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Atlanta. The theatrical interaction between David and the dancers is noted for its precision during this phase of the tour.
🏛️ Omni Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Atlanta Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Atlanta. The theatrical interaction between David and the dancers is noted for its precision during this phase of the tour.
📅 1987-09-23
📍 New York City / Global Release
🏛️ EMI Records
🎸 Event: Single Release: ‘Never Let Me Down’ (Third Single)
🗒️ Note: The title track of the album is officially released as the third single. David promotes the track during local radio stop-overs between tour dates.
🏛️ EMI Records
🎸 Event: Single Release: ‘Never Let Me Down’ (Third Single)
🗒️ Note: The title track of the album is officially released as the third single. David promotes the track during local radio stop-overs between tour dates.
📅 1987-09-25
📍 Hartford, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Hartford Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Connecticut Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Hartford. The show is marked by an incredibly loud and enthusiastic crowd, pushing the band to deliver a high-energy set.
🏛️ Hartford Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Connecticut Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs in Hartford. The show is marked by an incredibly loud and enthusiastic crowd, pushing the band to deliver a high-energy set.
📅 1987-09-28
📍 Landover, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Capital Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Maryland Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour reaches the Washington D.C. area for two nights. The Capital Centre’s video screen technology is used to enhance the Spider’s internal visuals.
🏛️ Capital Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Maryland Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour reaches the Washington D.C. area for two nights. The Capital Centre’s video screen technology is used to enhance the Spider’s internal visuals.
📅 1987-09-29
📍 Landover, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Capital Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Maryland Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Landover. David spends the following travel day reviewing the upcoming schedule for the final weeks of the North American leg.
🏛️ Capital Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Maryland Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Landover. David spends the following travel day reviewing the upcoming schedule for the final weeks of the North American leg.
📅 1987-09-30
📍 Landover / New York City
🏛️ Isolar Logistics
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Arena Dominance
🗒️ Note: David concludes September having shifted successfully from the massive outdoor stadiums of August to the prestigious indoor arenas of the East Coast, maintaining high attendance across 16 performances.
🏛️ Isolar Logistics
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Arena Dominance
🗒️ Note: David concludes September having shifted successfully from the massive outdoor stadiums of August to the prestigious indoor arenas of the East Coast, maintaining high attendance across 16 performances.
North American Finale & The Oceania Crossing – October 1987
📅 1987-10-01
📍 St. Paul, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ St. Paul Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Minnesota Night One
🗒️ Note: David launches the final month of the North American leg. The indoor arena setting allows for the full theatrical impact of the dancers’ interactions with the spider’s legs.
🏛️ St. Paul Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Minnesota Night One
🗒️ Note: David launches the final month of the North American leg. The indoor arena setting allows for the full theatrical impact of the dancers’ interactions with the spider’s legs.
📅 1987-10-02
📍 St. Paul, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ St. Paul Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Minnesota Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in St. Paul. David’s vocal performance remains consistent despite the grueling schedule of the past two months.
🏛️ St. Paul Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Minnesota Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in St. Paul. David’s vocal performance remains consistent despite the grueling schedule of the past two months.
📅 1987-10-04
📍 Kansas City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Kemper Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Missouri Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs at the Kemper Arena. The show is praised for its high-energy rendition of ‘Day-In Day-Out’ and ‘Time Will Crawl’.
🏛️ Kemper Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Missouri Performance
🗒️ Note: David performs at the Kemper Arena. The show is praised for its high-energy rendition of ‘Day-In Day-Out’ and ‘Time Will Crawl’.
📅 1987-10-06
📍 New Orleans, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Louisiana Superdome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Superdome Spectacle
🗒️ Note: A massive stadium date in New Orleans. The scale of the Superdome perfectly fits the 60-foot Spider structure, marking one of the largest indoor shows of the tour.
🏛️ Louisiana Superdome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Superdome Spectacle
🗒️ Note: A massive stadium date in New Orleans. The scale of the Superdome perfectly fits the 60-foot Spider structure, marking one of the largest indoor shows of the tour.
📅 1987-10-07
📍 Houston, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Summit
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Texas Run Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to Houston. David’s interplay with Peter Frampton during the guitar solos becomes a focal point of the show’s musical delivery.
🏛️ The Summit
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Texas Run Night One
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to Houston. David’s interplay with Peter Frampton during the guitar solos becomes a focal point of the show’s musical delivery.
📅 1987-10-08
📍 Houston, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Summit
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Texas Run Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second night in Houston. Technical crews prepare for the rapid move to Dallas following the show’s conclusion.
🏛️ The Summit
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Texas Run Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second night in Houston. Technical crews prepare for the rapid move to Dallas following the show’s conclusion.
📅 1987-10-10
📍 Dallas, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Reunion Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Dallas Residency Night One
🗒️ Note: David performs in Dallas. The show is notable for its vibrant atmosphere and the audience’s strong reaction to the ‘Let’s Dance’ era hits.
🏛️ Reunion Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Dallas Residency Night One
🗒️ Note: David performs in Dallas. The show is notable for its vibrant atmosphere and the audience’s strong reaction to the ‘Let’s Dance’ era hits.
📅 1987-10-11
📍 Dallas, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Reunion Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Dallas Residency Night Two
🗒️ Note: The final night in Dallas. This performance marks the end of the Central US dates before heading to the West Coast.
🏛️ Reunion Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Dallas Residency Night Two
🗒️ Note: The final night in Dallas. This performance marks the end of the Central US dates before heading to the West Coast.
📅 1987-10-13
📍 Los Angeles, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ LA Memorial Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Los Angeles Night One
🗒️ Note: David returns to LA for the tour’s final North American indoor shows. The arena is sold out, reflecting David’s enduring popularity in the California market.
🏛️ LA Memorial Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Los Angeles Night One
🗒️ Note: David returns to LA for the tour’s final North American indoor shows. The arena is sold out, reflecting David’s enduring popularity in the California market.
📅 1987-10-14
📍 Los Angeles, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ LA Memorial Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: North American Finale
🗒️ Note: The official conclusion of the North American leg. To mark the occasion, David and the crew perform a ritualistic “Spider-burn” behind the scenes, incinerating parts of the surplus stage set to symbolize the transition to Oceania.
🏛️ LA Memorial Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: North American Finale
🗒️ Note: The official conclusion of the North American leg. To mark the occasion, David and the crew perform a ritualistic “Spider-burn” behind the scenes, incinerating parts of the surplus stage set to symbolize the transition to Oceania.
Oceania
📅 1987-10-27
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Tivoli Club
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Press Conference: Glass Spider Australia Launch
🗒️ Note: Following a brief break and a long-haul flight, David arrives in Sydney. He holds a major press conference at the Tivoli Club to announce the details of the Australian and New Zealand stadium dates.
🏛️ Tivoli Club
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Press Conference: Glass Spider Australia Launch
🗒️ Note: Following a brief break and a long-haul flight, David arrives in Sydney. He holds a major press conference at the Tivoli Club to announce the details of the Australian and New Zealand stadium dates.
📅 1987-10-29
📍 Brisbane, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Boondall Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Oceania Tour Premiere
🗒️ Note: The tour officially opens in Australia. Despite the long journey, the band delivers a high-precision show, with the Australian audience welcoming the return of Peter Frampton to their shores.
🏛️ Boondall Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Oceania Tour Premiere
🗒️ Note: The tour officially opens in Australia. Despite the long journey, the band delivers a high-precision show, with the Australian audience welcoming the return of Peter Frampton to their shores.
📅 1987-10-30
📍 Brisbane, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Boondall Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Brisbane Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second sold-out performance in Brisbane. David concludes the month with the momentum of the tour’s final leg successfully established.
🏛️ Boondall Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Brisbane Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second sold-out performance in Brisbane. David concludes the month with the momentum of the tour’s final leg successfully established.
Oceania Leg & The Grand Finale – November 1987
📅 1987-11-03
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night One
🗒️ Note: David begins an extensive run of shows in Sydney. The indoor setting of the Entertainment Centre provides a much more intimate theatrical experience compared to the US stadiums.
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night One
🗒️ Note: David begins an extensive run of shows in Sydney. The indoor setting of the Entertainment Centre provides a much more intimate theatrical experience compared to the US stadiums.
📅 1987-11-04
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Sydney. David’s vocal stamina is noted as being particularly strong as the tour nears its final weeks.
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Two
🗒️ Note: The second performance in Sydney. David’s vocal stamina is noted as being particularly strong as the tour nears its final weeks.
📅 1987-11-06
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Three
🗒️ Note: The tour continues its momentum in Australia. The complex choreography involving the dancers and the Spider’s legs remains a highlight for the local press.
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Three
🗒️ Note: The tour continues its momentum in Australia. The complex choreography involving the dancers and the Spider’s legs remains a highlight for the local press.
📅 1987-11-07
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Four
🗒️ Note: David performs the fourth show in Sydney. The chemistry between David and Peter Frampton during the guitar duels is at an all-time high.
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Four
🗒️ Note: David performs the fourth show in Sydney. The chemistry between David and Peter Frampton during the guitar duels is at an all-time high.
📅 1987-11-07
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎸 Event: Filming: ‘Glass Spider’ Concert Movie
🗒️ Note: Cameras are present to capture the performance for the official ‘Glass Spider’ concert film. David ensures the theatrical cues are performed with maximum precision for the recording.
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎸 Event: Filming: ‘Glass Spider’ Concert Movie
🗒️ Note: Cameras are present to capture the performance for the official ‘Glass Spider’ concert film. David ensures the theatrical cues are performed with maximum precision for the recording.
📅 1987-11-09
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Five
🗒️ Note: The residency continues. Despite the repetition, the band maintains a high level of energy for the enthusiastic Australian audience.
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Five
🗒️ Note: The residency continues. Despite the repetition, the band maintains a high level of energy for the enthusiastic Australian audience.
📅 1987-11-10
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Six
🗒️ Note: David performs the sixth night. The setlist remains consistent with the theatrical rock narrative established at the start of the tour.
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Six
🗒️ Note: David performs the sixth night. The setlist remains consistent with the theatrical rock narrative established at the start of the tour.
📅 1987-11-13
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Seven
🗒️ Note: After a short break, the tour resumes in Sydney. The technical crew monitors the Spider structure’s wear and tear after months of global travel.
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Night Seven
🗒️ Note: After a short break, the tour resumes in Sydney. The technical crew monitors the Spider structure’s wear and tear after months of global travel.
📅 1987-11-14
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Finale
🗒️ Note: The final night in Sydney. David concludes the residency, marking one of his most successful runs of shows in a single city.
🏛️ Sydney Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Sydney Residency Finale
🗒️ Note: The final night in Sydney. David concludes the residency, marking one of his most successful runs of shows in a single city.
📅 1987-11-18
📍 Melbourne, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Kooyong Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Melbourne Premiere
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to the open-air Kooyong Stadium. The outdoor setting allows for the return of the full-scale light show seen in Europe and the US.
🏛️ Kooyong Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Melbourne Premiere
🗒️ Note: The tour moves to the open-air Kooyong Stadium. The outdoor setting allows for the return of the full-scale light show seen in Europe and the US.
📅 1987-11-20
📍 Melbourne, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Kooyong Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Melbourne Night Two
🗒️ Note: David performs the second night at Kooyong. The Australian summer weather provides a warm backdrop for the outdoor performance.
🏛️ Kooyong Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Melbourne Night Two
🗒️ Note: David performs the second night at Kooyong. The Australian summer weather provides a warm backdrop for the outdoor performance.
📅 1987-11-21
📍 Melbourne, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Kooyong Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Melbourne Night Three
🗒️ Note: The third night in Melbourne. The production remains flawlessly executed despite the physical toll on the performers.
🏛️ Kooyong Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Melbourne Night Three
🗒️ Note: The third night in Melbourne. The production remains flawlessly executed despite the physical toll on the performers.
📅 1987-11-23
📍 Melbourne, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Kooyong Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Melbourne Finale
🗒️ Note: David concludes his final show in Australia. The band and crew prepare for the final flight to New Zealand.
🏛️ Kooyong Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Live Concert: Melbourne Finale
🗒️ Note: David concludes his final show in Australia. The band and crew prepare for the final flight to New Zealand.
📅 1987-11-28
📍 Auckland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand
🏛️ Western Springs Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Tour Finale: The Final Glass Spider Show
🗒️ Note: David performs the final concert of the Glass Spider Tour. To mark the end of the journey, the crew reportedly burns the remaining parts of the Spider stage set in a bonfire after the show, symbolizing the close of the era.
🏛️ Western Springs Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Tour Finale: The Final Glass Spider Show
🗒️ Note: David performs the final concert of the Glass Spider Tour. To mark the end of the journey, the crew reportedly burns the remaining parts of the Spider stage set in a bonfire after the show, symbolizing the close of the era.
📅 1987-11-30
📍 Auckland / Sydney
🏛️ Isolar Logistics
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Tour Completion
🗒️ Note: David officially concludes the most ambitious tour of his career. The Glass Spider Tour is recorded as a massive commercial success, though David later expresses relief at ending the physically demanding production.
🏛️ Isolar Logistics
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: Tour Completion
🗒️ Note: David officially concludes the most ambitious tour of his career. The Glass Spider Tour is recorded as a massive commercial success, though David later expresses relief at ending the physically demanding production.
Decompression & Swiss Retreat – December 1987
📅 1987-12-05
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Post-Tour Return: Swiss Retreat
🗒️ Note: David returns to his home in Switzerland immediately following the final show in Auckland. He enters a period of total seclusion to recover from the physical and mental exhaustion of the six-month global tour.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Post-Tour Return: Swiss Retreat
🗒️ Note: David returns to his home in Switzerland immediately following the final show in Auckland. He enters a period of total seclusion to recover from the physical and mental exhaustion of the six-month global tour.
📅 1987-12-15
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Private Residence
🎸 Event: Artistic Review: Glass Spider Legacy
🗒️ Note: David spends time reviewing the initial edits of the Sydney concert footage. During this period, he begins expressing private doubts to his inner circle about the over-the-top theatricality of the tour, leaning towards a more stripped-back musical future.
🏛️ Private Residence
🎸 Event: Artistic Review: Glass Spider Legacy
🗒️ Note: David spends time reviewing the initial edits of the Sydney concert footage. During this period, he begins expressing private doubts to his inner circle about the over-the-top theatricality of the tour, leaning towards a more stripped-back musical future.
📅 1987-12-24
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Holiday Break: Family Reconnection
🗒️ Note: David spends the Christmas period with his son, Duncan (Zowie). This quiet domestic interval marks the first significant break from the “Bowie-as-superstar” persona since the launch of the press tour in March.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Holiday Break: Family Reconnection
🗒️ Note: David spends the Christmas period with his son, Duncan (Zowie). This quiet domestic interval marks the first significant break from the “Bowie-as-superstar” persona since the launch of the press tour in March.
📅 1987-12-31
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Year-End Review: Closing the Glass Spider Era
🗒️ Note: David concludes 1987 having performed over 80 stadium and arena shows to nearly 3 million people. While the year was a massive commercial success, David privately resolves to dismantle the high-production machinery in favor of a collaborative band project in 1988.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Year-End Review: Closing the Glass Spider Era
🗒️ Note: David concludes 1987 having performed over 80 stadium and arena shows to nearly 3 million people. While the year was a massive commercial success, David privately resolves to dismantle the high-production machinery in favor of a collaborative band project in 1988.
The Songs
🎵 From The Man Who Sold the World: All the Madmen
🎵 From Aladdin Sane: The Jean Genie / Time
🎵 From Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture: White Light/White Heat
🎵 From Diamond Dogs: Big Brother / Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family / Rebel Rebel
🎵 From Young Americans: Young Americans / Fame
🎵 From “Heroes”: Heroes / Sons of the Silent Age
🎵 From Scary Monsters: Fashion / Scary Monsters / Up the Hill Backwards
🎵 From Let’s Dance: China Girl / Let’s Dance / Modern Love
🎵 From Tonight: Blue Jean / Dancing With the Big Boys / Loving the Alien
🎵 From Never Let Me Down: ’87 and Cry / Bang Bang / Beat of Your Drum / Day-In Day-Out / Glass Spider / Never Let Me Down / New York’s in Love / Time Will Crawl / Zeroes
🎵 Other songs: Absolute Beginners / I Wanna Be Your Dog / Lavender’s Blue / London Bridge Is Falling Down / War / Who Will Buy?
🎵 Rehearsed but not performed: Because You’re Young / Scream Like a Baby / Shining Star (Makin’ My Love)
🎵 From Aladdin Sane: The Jean Genie / Time
🎵 From Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture: White Light/White Heat
🎵 From Diamond Dogs: Big Brother / Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family / Rebel Rebel
🎵 From Young Americans: Young Americans / Fame
🎵 From “Heroes”: Heroes / Sons of the Silent Age
🎵 From Scary Monsters: Fashion / Scary Monsters / Up the Hill Backwards
🎵 From Let’s Dance: China Girl / Let’s Dance / Modern Love
🎵 From Tonight: Blue Jean / Dancing With the Big Boys / Loving the Alien
🎵 From Never Let Me Down: ’87 and Cry / Bang Bang / Beat of Your Drum / Day-In Day-Out / Glass Spider / Never Let Me Down / New York’s in Love / Time Will Crawl / Zeroes
🎵 Other songs: Absolute Beginners / I Wanna Be Your Dog / Lavender’s Blue / London Bridge Is Falling Down / War / Who Will Buy?
🎵 Rehearsed but not performed: Because You’re Young / Scream Like a Baby / Shining Star (Makin’ My Love)
Most brilliant concert in L.A.