David Bowie 1990 – Sound+Vision era
The Sound+Vision Tour was launched on 4 March 1990 and concluded on 29 September 1990, totaling 108 shows across 7 legs. The tour was conceived as a retrospective farewell to many of Bowie’s classic songs, which he announced would be retired from live performance following this series of concerts.
The show incorporated extensive use of video projections and integrated lighting effects, marking Bowie’s return to a more visually stylized stage presentation after theatrically restrained tours such as 1978’s Isolar II. The setlist relied heavily on Bowie’s most iconic material, determined partially by fan voting.
Tour concept
Bowie described the tour as a personal closure on older material, shifting focus to future directions. Fans voted via telephone hotlines to select songs Bowie would perform for the final time on stage.
The tour also coincided with the Rykodisc reissues campaign, featuring newly remastered Bowie albums with bonus tracks.
Tour highlights
- First tour since 1987 Glass Spider
- Highest-grossing Bowie tour to date
- 108 shows worldwide
- Fan-selected farewell setlists
- Extensive archival video integration
The Final Hits: Rehearsals & The Great Announcement – Jan/Feb 1990
📅 1990-01-08
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ West Side Rehearsal Studios
🎸 Event: Formation of the Sound+Vision Band
🗒️ Note: On his 43rd birthday, Bowie begins intensive musical rehearsals. He recruits Adrian Belew (lead guitar/musical director), Erdal Kızılçay (bass), Rick Fox (keyboards), and Michael Hodges (drums). The focus is on creating leaner, more modern arrangements of his classic hits.
🏛️ West Side Rehearsal Studios
🎸 Event: Formation of the Sound+Vision Band
🗒️ Note: On his 43rd birthday, Bowie begins intensive musical rehearsals. He recruits Adrian Belew (lead guitar/musical director), Erdal Kızılçay (bass), Rick Fox (keyboards), and Michael Hodges (drums). The focus is on creating leaner, more modern arrangements of his classic hits.
📅 1990-01-23
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park
🎸 Event: Global Press Conference: The Hits Retirement
🗒️ Note: Bowie officially announces the ‘Sound+Vision World Tour’. He stuns the media by declaring he will “retire” his greatest hits after this tour. He also introduces the ‘Telephone Vote’ system, allowing fans to call a premium-line to vote for the songs they want to hear.
🏛️ Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park
🎸 Event: Global Press Conference: The Hits Retirement
🗒️ Note: Bowie officially announces the ‘Sound+Vision World Tour’. He stuns the media by declaring he will “retire” his greatest hits after this tour. He also introduces the ‘Telephone Vote’ system, allowing fans to call a premium-line to vote for the songs they want to hear.
📅 1990-02-10
📍 Stanhope, NJ, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Production Rehearsals
🎸 Event: Technical & Visual Rehearsals
🗒️ Note: The band moves to a larger soundstage in New Jersey to test the groundbreaking visual elements. This includes the ‘Jumbotron’ transparent gauze screen, designed by Ed Parente, which allows Bowie to perform “duets” with filmed versions of himself.
🏛️ Production Rehearsals
🎸 Event: Technical & Visual Rehearsals
🗒️ Note: The band moves to a larger soundstage in New Jersey to test the groundbreaking visual elements. This includes the ‘Jumbotron’ transparent gauze screen, designed by Ed Parente, which allows Bowie to perform “duets” with filmed versions of himself.
📅 1990-02-23
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Rehearsal Space
🎸 Event: Warm-up Sessions: The Final Setlist
🗒️ Note: As the fan voting results come in, the band finalizes the setlist. The song ‘The Laughing Gnome’ famously receives thousands of joke votes, but Bowie ultimately decides not to perform it, sticking to his more serious catalogue.
🏛️ Rehearsal Space
🎸 Event: Warm-up Sessions: The Final Setlist
🗒️ Note: As the fan voting results come in, the band finalizes the setlist. The song ‘The Laughing Gnome’ famously receives thousands of joke votes, but Bowie ultimately decides not to perform it, sticking to his more serious catalogue.
World Premiere: The Sound+Vision Tour – March 1990
North America – March 1990
📅 1990-03-04
📍 Quebec City, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Colisée de Québec
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: World Tour Premiere
📜 Set list: Space Oddity, Changes, TVC 15, Rebel Rebel, Be My Wife, Ashes to Ashes, Starman, Fashion, Life on Mars?, Blue Jean, Let’s Dance, Stay, Sound and Vision, Ziggy Stardust, China Girl, Station to Station, Young Americans, Fame, Heroes, Jean Genie, Modern Love.
🗒️ Note: Launch of the tour featuring the semi-transparent Jumbotron screen. The minimalist approach was a direct reaction to the excess of 1987.
🏛️ Colisée de Québec
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: World Tour Premiere
📜 Set list: Space Oddity, Changes, TVC 15, Rebel Rebel, Be My Wife, Ashes to Ashes, Starman, Fashion, Life on Mars?, Blue Jean, Let’s Dance, Stay, Sound and Vision, Ziggy Stardust, China Girl, Station to Station, Young Americans, Fame, Heroes, Jean Genie, Modern Love.
🗒️ Note: Launch of the tour featuring the semi-transparent Jumbotron screen. The minimalist approach was a direct reaction to the excess of 1987.
📅 1990-03-06
📍 Montreal, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Montreal Forum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Montreal Forum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-07
📍 Toronto, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ SkyDome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ SkyDome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-10
📍 Winnipeg, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Winnipeg Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Winnipeg Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-12
📍 Edmonton, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Northlands Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Northlands Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-13
📍 Calgary, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Olympic Saddledome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Olympic Saddledome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-15
📍 Vancouver, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Pacific National Exhibition Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Pacific National Exhibition Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-16
📍 West Hollywood, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Roxy Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: US Press Conference
🗒️ Note: A formal briefing for the American media. Bowie reiterates the “retirement” of his hits before departing for Europe.
🏛️ Roxy Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: US Press Conference
🗒️ Note: A formal briefing for the American media. Bowie reiterates the “retirement” of his hits before departing for Europe.
Europe – March & April 1990
📅 1990-03-19
📍 Birmingham, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ National Exhibition Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The European leg begins. The setlist remains extremely tight due to the pre-recorded video synchronization.
🏛️ National Exhibition Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The European leg begins. The setlist remains extremely tight due to the pre-recorded video synchronization.
📅 1990-03-20
📍 Birmingham, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ National Exhibition Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ National Exhibition Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-23
📍 Edinburgh, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Royal Highland Exhibition Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Royal Highland Exhibition Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-24
📍 Edinburgh, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Royal Highland Exhibition Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Royal Highland Exhibition Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-26
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Docklands Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: First of three nights in London. The ‘Sound+Vision’ box set sales spiked significantly in the UK following these shows.
🏛️ Docklands Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: First of three nights in London. The ‘Sound+Vision’ box set sales spiked significantly in the UK following these shows.
📅 1990-03-27
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Docklands Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Docklands Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-28
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Docklands Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Docklands Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-03-30
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A legendary return to Rotterdam. Fans and critics praise the interplay between Bowie and Adrian Belew.
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A legendary return to Rotterdam. Fans and critics praise the interplay between Bowie and Adrian Belew.
Europe – April 1990
📅 1990-04-01
📍 Dortmund, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Westfalenhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Cancelled. This show was originally scheduled but did not take place on this date, later rescheduled for the end of the month.
🏛️ Westfalenhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Cancelled. This show was originally scheduled but did not take place on this date, later rescheduled for the end of the month.
📅 1990-04-02
📍 Paris, 🇫🇷 France
🏛️ Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights in Paris. The French audience’s enthusiastic reception of the ‘Low’ and ‘Heroes’ era material included in the set.
🏛️ Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights in Paris. The French audience’s enthusiastic reception of the ‘Low’ and ‘Heroes’ era material included in the set.
📅 1990-04-03
📍 Paris, 🇫🇷 France
🏛️ Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-05
📍 Frankfurt, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Festhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Festhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-07
📍 Hamburg, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Sporthalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Sporthalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-08
📍 Berlin, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Deutschlandhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A symbolic return to Berlin. Although the Wall had fallen months prior, the atmosphere during ‘”Heroes”‘ remains deeply emotional for the local crowd, marking his first performance in the city in the post-Wall era.
🏛️ Deutschlandhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A symbolic return to Berlin. Although the Wall had fallen months prior, the atmosphere during ‘”Heroes”‘ remains deeply emotional for the local crowd, marking his first performance in the city in the post-Wall era.
📅 1990-04-10
📍 Munich, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Olympiahalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Olympiahalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-11
📍 Stuttgart, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Schleyerhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Schleyerhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-13
📍 Milan, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Palatrussardi
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Palatrussardi
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-14
📍 Milan, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Palatrussardi
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Palatrussardi
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-17
📍 Rome, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Palaeur
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Palaeur
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-18
📍 Rome, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Palaeur
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Palaeur
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-20
📍 Brussels, 🇧🇪 Belgium
🏛️ Vorst Forest Nationaal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Vorst Forest Nationaal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-21
📍 Brussels, 🇧🇪 Belgium
🏛️ Vorst Forest Nationaal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Vorst Forest Nationaal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-04-22
📍 Dortmund, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Westfalenhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The rescheduled date for the Dortmund show, concluding the initial European leg of the tour.
🏛️ Westfalenhalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The rescheduled date for the Dortmund show, concluding the initial European leg of the tour.
North America – April & May 1990
📅 1990-04-27
📍 Miami, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Miami Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The tour returns to North America. The band’s tightness had improved significantly during the European dates.
🏛️ Miami Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The tour returns to North America. The band’s tightness had improved significantly during the European dates.
📅 1990-04-29
📍 Pensacola, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Pensacola Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Pensacola Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
North America – May 1990
📅 1990-05-01
📍 Orlando, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Orlando Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Orlando Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-05-04
📍 St. Petersburg, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Florida Suncoast Dome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Florida Suncoast Dome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-05-05
📍 Jacksonville, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-05-07
📍 Atlanta, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Omni Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Omni Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-05-09
📍 Chapel Hill, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Dean Smith Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Dean Smith Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
Asia – May 1990
📅 1990-05-12
📍 Tokyo, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Keio Plaza Hotel
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Japanese Press Conference
🗒️ Note: Bowie addresses the Japanese media ahead of two massive stadium shows. He expresses his long-standing affinity for Japanese culture and its influence on his ‘Ziggy Stardust’ and ‘Sound+Vision’ aesthetics.
🏛️ Keio Plaza Hotel
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Japanese Press Conference
🗒️ Note: Bowie addresses the Japanese media ahead of two massive stadium shows. He expresses his long-standing affinity for Japanese culture and its influence on his ‘Ziggy Stardust’ and ‘Sound+Vision’ aesthetics.
📅 1990-05-15
📍 Tokyo, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Tokyo Dome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights at the “Big Egg.” These shows are among the largest on the entire tour, with the Jumbotron screen proving essential for the massive stadium audience.
🏛️ Tokyo Dome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights at the “Big Egg.” These shows are among the largest on the entire tour, with the Jumbotron screen proving essential for the massive stadium audience.
📅 1990-05-16
📍 Tokyo, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Tokyo Dome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Tokyo Dome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
North America – May & June 1990
📅 1990-05-20
📍 Vancouver, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ BC Place Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: After a 10,000-mile round trip to Japan, the band resumes the North American leg. The physical toll of this scheduling, yet Bowie’s performance remains high-energy.
🏛️ BC Place Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: After a 10,000-mile round trip to Japan, the band resumes the North American leg. The physical toll of this scheduling, yet Bowie’s performance remains high-energy.
📅 1990-05-21
📍 Tacoma, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Tacoma Dome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Tacoma Dome
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-05-23
📍 Los Angeles, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ LA Memorial Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ LA Memorial Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-05-24
📍 Sacramento, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Cal Expo
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Cal Expo
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-05-26
📍 Los Angeles, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Dodger Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A return to the massive Dodger Stadium. This show as a symbolic “hits parade” in the city that embraced his mid-70s soul era.
🏛️ Dodger Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A return to the massive Dodger Stadium. This show as a symbolic “hits parade” in the city that embraced his mid-70s soul era.
📅 1990-05-28
📍 Mountain View, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Shoreline Amphitheatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Shoreline Amphitheatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-05-29
📍 Mountain View, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Shoreline Amphitheatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Shoreline Amphitheatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
North American Heartland Tour – June 1990
📅 1990-06-01
📍 Denver, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ McNichols Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ McNichols Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-02
📍 Denver, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ McNichols Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ McNichols Sports Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-04
📍 Dallas, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Starplex Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Starplex Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-06
📍 Austin, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Frank Erwin Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Frank Erwin Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-07
📍 Houston, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Woodland Pavilion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Woodland Pavilion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-09
📍 Kansas City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Sandstone Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Sandstone Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-10
📍 St. Louis, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ St. Louis Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ St. Louis Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-12
📍 Noblesville, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Deer Creek Music Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Deer Creek Music Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-13
📍 Milwaukee, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Marcus Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Marcus Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-15
📍 Chicago, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ World Music Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights in Chicago. Nicholas By this point in the tour, the band’s interpretation of ‘Station to Station’ had become a standout highlight, showcasing Adrian Belew’s avant-garde guitar work.
🏛️ World Music Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The first of two nights in Chicago. Nicholas By this point in the tour, the band’s interpretation of ‘Station to Station’ had become a standout highlight, showcasing Adrian Belew’s avant-garde guitar work.
📅 1990-06-16
📍 Chicago, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ World Music Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ World Music Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-19
📍 Cleveland, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Richfield Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Richfield Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-20
📍 Cleveland, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Richfield Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Richfield Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-22
📍 Auburn Hills, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Palace of Auburn Hills
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ The Palace of Auburn Hills
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-24
📍 Auburn Hills, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Palace of Auburn Hills
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ The Palace of Auburn Hills
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-25
📍 Auburn Hills, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Palace of Auburn Hills
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A rigorous three-night residency in Michigan. The exhaustion of the heavy touring schedule began to impact the band’s routine, yet Bowie’s vocal performances remained consistent.
🏛️ The Palace of Auburn Hills
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A rigorous three-night residency in Michigan. The exhaustion of the heavy touring schedule began to impact the band’s routine, yet Bowie’s vocal performances remained consistent.
📅 1990-06-27
📍 Burgettstown, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Starlake Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Starlake Amphitheater
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-06-30
📍 St. John’s, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Memorial Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A return to Canada for a single show. The smaller stadium atmosphere provided a more intimate experience compared to the massive US amphitheatres.
🏛️ Memorial Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A return to Canada for a single show. The smaller stadium atmosphere provided a more intimate experience compared to the massive US amphitheatres.
East Coast Leg & Stadium Spectacles – July 1990
📅 1990-07-02
📍 Moncton, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Moncton Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Moncton Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-04
📍 Toronto, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Canadian National Exhibition Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Canadian National Exhibition Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-06
📍 Ottawa, 🇨🇦 Canada
🏛️ Frank Clair Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Frank Clair Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-07
📍 Saratoga Springs, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-09
📍 Philadelphia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Start of a major four-night residency. Philadelphia remained one of Bowie’s most loyal strongholds since the mid-70s.
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Start of a major four-night residency. Philadelphia remained one of Bowie’s most loyal strongholds since the mid-70s.
📅 1990-07-10
📍 Philadelphia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-12
📍 Philadelphia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-13
📍 Philadelphia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-16
📍 Uniondale, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-18
📍 Columbia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Merriweather Post Pavilion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Merriweather Post Pavilion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-19
📍 Columbia, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Merriweather Post Pavilion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Merriweather Post Pavilion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-21
📍 Foxborough, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Sullivan Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A return to stadium-sized venues. The minimalist production was scaled up to meet the demands of the 60,000-capacity arena.
🏛️ Sullivan Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A return to stadium-sized venues. The minimalist production was scaled up to meet the demands of the 60,000-capacity arena.
📅 1990-07-23
📍 Hartford, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Hartford Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Hartford Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-25
📍 Niagara Falls, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Convention and Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Convention and Civic Center
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-07-29
📍 East Rutherford, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Giants Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: One of the tour’s largest standalone shows. The presence of numerous celebrities backstage, highlighting Bowie’s peak cultural relevance during the “retirement” of his hits.
🏛️ Giants Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: One of the tour’s largest standalone shows. The presence of numerous celebrities backstage, highlighting Bowie’s peak cultural relevance during the “retirement” of his hits.
European Summer Stadiums – August 1990
Europe – August & September 1990
📅 1990-08-04
📍 Milton Keynes, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Milton Keynes Bowl
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The first of two massive outdoor shows. The setlist was slightly expanded for these homecoming dates, including a rare performance of ‘Fame ’90’.
🏛️ Milton Keynes Bowl
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The first of two massive outdoor shows. The setlist was slightly expanded for these homecoming dates, including a rare performance of ‘Fame ’90’.
📅 1990-08-05
📍 Milton Keynes, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Milton Keynes Bowl
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Milton Keynes Bowl
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-07
📍 Manchester, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Maine Road Football Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Maine Road Football Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-09
📍 Dublin, 🇮🇪 Ireland
🏛️ Point Depot
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Point Depot
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-10
📍 Dublin, 🇮🇪 Ireland
🏛️ Point Depot
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Point Depot
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-13
📍 Fréjus, 🇫🇷 France
🏛️ Les Arènes
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Les Arènes
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-16
📍 Ghent, 🇧🇪 Belgium
🏛️ Flanders Expo
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Flanders Expo
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-18
📍 Nijmegen, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Stadion de Goffert
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A return to the Dutch open-air circuit. The heat of the summer contributed to a particularly high-energy performance.
🏛️ Stadion de Goffert
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A return to the Dutch open-air circuit. The heat of the summer contributed to a particularly high-energy performance.
📅 1990-08-19
📍 Maastricht, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-22
📍 Oslo, 🇳🇴 Norway
🏛️ Jordal Stadion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Jordal Stadion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-24
📍 Stockholm, 🇸🇪 Sweden
🏛️ Olympiastadion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Olympiastadion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-25
📍 Copenhagen, 🇩🇰 Denmark
🏛️ Idrætsparken
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Idrætsparken
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-26
📍 Copenhagen, 🇩🇰 Denmark
🏛️ Idrætsparken
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Idrætsparken
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-29
📍 Linz, 🇦🇹 Austria
🏛️ Linzer Stadion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Linzer Stadion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-08-31
📍 East Berlin, 🇩🇪 East Germany
🏛️ Weißensee Sportplatz
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A historic appearance in the former East Berlin. The significance of this show following the fall of the Wall, as many fans were seeing Bowie live for the first time.
🏛️ Weißensee Sportplatz
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A historic appearance in the former East Berlin. The significance of this show following the fall of the Wall, as many fans were seeing Bowie live for the first time.
European Finale & South American Climax – September 1990
Europe – September 1990
📅 1990-09-01
📍 Schüttorf, 🇩🇪 West Germany
🏛️ Festival Site
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Festival Site
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-09-02
📍 Ulm, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Open Air Festival
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Open Air Festival
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-09-04
📍 Budapest, 🇭🇺 Hungary
🏛️ MTK Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Bowie’s first ever performance in Hungary. The massive cultural impact of this debut in the post-communist era.
🏛️ MTK Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Bowie’s first ever performance in Hungary. The massive cultural impact of this debut in the post-communist era.
📅 1990-09-05
📍 Zagreb, 🇭🇷 Yugoslavia
🏛️ Stadion Maksimir
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Stadion Maksimir
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-09-06
📍 Modena, 🇮🇹 Italy
🏛️ Festa Nazionale de l’Unità
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Festival performance. This show was professionally filmed for various television broadcasts across Europe.
🏛️ Festa Nazionale de l’Unità
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Festival performance. This show was professionally filmed for various television broadcasts across Europe.
📅 1990-09-11
📍 Gijón, 🇪🇸 Spain
🏛️ Hipódromo de las Mestas
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Hipódromo de las Mestas
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-09-12
📍 Madrid, 🇪🇸 Spain
🏛️ Rockódromo Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Rockódromo Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-09-14
📍 Lisbon, 🇵🇹 Portugal
🏛️ Alvalade Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Alvalade Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-09-16
📍 Barcelona, 🇪🇸 Spain
🏛️ Estadio Olímpico de Montjuïc
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Final European date of the tour. Bowie prepares for the final leg in South America.
🏛️ Estadio Olímpico de Montjuïc
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: Final European date of the tour. Bowie prepares for the final leg in South America.
South America – September 1990
📅 1990-09-20
📍 Rio de Janeiro, 🇧🇷 Brazil
🏛️ Rio Palace Hotel
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: South American Press Conference
🗒️ Note: Bowie addresses the Brazilian media, confirming this is the final opportunity for fans in the region to hear his hits live.
🏛️ Rio Palace Hotel
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: South American Press Conference
🗒️ Note: Bowie addresses the Brazilian media, confirming this is the final opportunity for fans in the region to hear his hits live.
📅 1990-09-20
📍 Rio de Janeiro, 🇧🇷 Brazil
🏛️ Sambodromo de Rio
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Sambodromo de Rio
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-09-22
📍 São Paulo, 🇧🇷 Brazil
🏛️ Estadio de Palmeiras
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Estadio de Palmeiras
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-09-23
📍 São Paulo, 🇧🇷 Brazil
🏛️ Estadio de Palmeiras
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Estadio de Palmeiras
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1990-09-25
📍 São Paulo, 🇧🇷 Brazil
🏛️ Olímpia Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A unique club performance in the midst of the stadium tour. This was a much more intimate, sweat-soaked affair compared to the surrounding stadium dates.
🏛️ Olímpia Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A unique club performance in the midst of the stadium tour. This was a much more intimate, sweat-soaked affair compared to the surrounding stadium dates.
📅 1990-09-27
📍 Santiago, 🇨🇱 Chile
🏛️ Estadio Nacional de Chile
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A historic show as Bowie’s first performance in Chile, occurring shortly after the restoration of democracy.
🏛️ Estadio Nacional de Chile
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: A historic show as Bowie’s first performance in Chile, occurring shortly after the restoration of democracy.
📅 1990-09-29
📍 Buenos Aires, 🇦🇷 Argentina
🏛️ River Plate Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The grand finale of the Sound+Vision World Tour. Bowie emotionally bids farewell to his greatest hits on this night, ending the most commercially successful tour of his career to date.
🏛️ River Plate Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The grand finale of the Sound+Vision World Tour. Bowie emotionally bids farewell to his greatest hits on this night, ending the most commercially successful tour of his career to date.
The Great Transition: Studio & Strategy – Oct/Dec 1990
📅 1990-10-15
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Southern Tracks Studios
🎸 Event: Recording Sessions: Tin Machine II
🗒️ Note: Scarcely two weeks after his solo tour ends, Bowie reconvenes with the Sales brothers and Reeves Gabrels. They begin recording tracks like ‘Amlapura’ and ‘Baby Universal’. David is determined to prove that Tin Machine is a real band, not a temporary distraction.
🏛️ Southern Tracks Studios
🎸 Event: Recording Sessions: Tin Machine II
🗒️ Note: Scarcely two weeks after his solo tour ends, Bowie reconvenes with the Sales brothers and Reeves Gabrels. They begin recording tracks like ‘Amlapura’ and ‘Baby Universal’. David is determined to prove that Tin Machine is a real band, not a temporary distraction.
📅 1990-11-10
📍 Los Angeles, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Victory Music Offices
🎸 Event: Label Change: Leaving EMI
🗒️ Note: Bowie officially parts ways with EMI. He signs Tin Machine to the new Victory label, run by Phil Ramone. This move is strategic, seeking more creative freedom for the band’s less commercial second album.
🏛️ Victory Music Offices
🎸 Event: Label Change: Leaving EMI
🗒️ Note: Bowie officially parts ways with EMI. He signs Tin Machine to the new Victory label, run by Phil Ramone. This move is strategic, seeking more creative freedom for the band’s less commercial second album.
📅 1990-12-05
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Visual Arts & Personal Life
🗒️ Note: David spends the winter weeks painting and preparing for his marriage to Iman Abdulmajid (whom he met in October). This period marks a significant shift in David’s personal stability, which would later influence his 90s output.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Visual Arts & Personal Life
🗒️ Note: David spends the winter weeks painting and preparing for his marriage to Iman Abdulmajid (whom he met in October). This period marks a significant shift in David’s personal stability, which would later influence his 90s output.
📅 1990-12-28
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Private Location
🎸 Event: Year-End Reflection: The Clean Slate
🗒️ Note: Bowie concludes 1990 having fulfilled his promise to “retire” his hits. Chris O’Leary highlights on [Pushing Ahead of the Dame] that by the end of December, the Tin Machine II sessions are mostly complete, leaving Bowie ready for a polarizing return in 1991.
🏛️ Private Location
🎸 Event: Year-End Reflection: The Clean Slate
🗒️ Note: Bowie concludes 1990 having fulfilled his promise to “retire” his hits. Chris O’Leary highlights on [Pushing Ahead of the Dame] that by the end of December, the Tin Machine II sessions are mostly complete, leaving Bowie ready for a polarizing return in 1991.
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The best live sound Bowie ever had in my opinion. I guess the 80’s trends led Bowie, Paul McCartney and Phil Collins to sound huge live. 1990 was a fantastic year for them. Their respective tours back then are definitely my pick when I listen to them live.
A bit too loungey for me. Unlike David Live in the mid 70s, this is a glossy style. More like if David played a residency in Vegas and was overweight and had a stalled career like so many, playing endlessly old faves. No, he was a genius and fresh to the end. But could be a lounge act style had he stalled like the garcons de la plague for example..hahahah
Saw David on this tour in Hartford Conneticut. Had seen him previously in Slane Castle Ireland in 1987 Glass Spider tour
Saw Bowie on this tour at the Milton Keynes bowl 4th August 1990. Still blows my mind when I think about it. Managed to find a video of the gig at the same place the night after. Good vibes!
Just found a concert in Tokyo on DVD from the tour.
For a small band they really carried it; Adrian Belew is phenomenal. David is in very good form.
My wife and I saw him in Denver. Unforgettable show. Let’s Dance is STILL our song.
Cheers for posting this. I was a technician on this tour, only missed a few shows due to production requirements. This schedule brings back many, many memories! Still in contact with some friends made on the tour. It was one of the best productions, band and crew of a twenty-year touring career. Missing those who have passed, but most concerts are still vivid memories. David was a master showman! His performance in St. John Newfoundland was just as outstanding as London, New York and LA. What an experience!