📰 Bowie & Slade: Starkers In August‑Advert : Aug. 1972
- David Bowie
- Aug 5, 1972
- 2 min read
A bold NME advert promoting Mel Bush’s August concert series at Starkers Royal Ballrooms, Boscombe — a powerhouse month featuring the Kinks, Hawkwind, Slade, Uriah Heep and David Bowie, with Bowie closing the run at the highest ticket price.
New Musical Express
Date: August 5, 1972
Format: One‑page advert
A moment of rising glam dominance, high‑energy touring and Bowie stepping into headline stature.
đź“° Key Highlights
• Full August lineup announced for Starkers Royal Ballrooms
• Bowie scheduled for Thursday August 31 — the premium‑priced show of the month
• Slade featured on August 18, part of the venue’s heavy‑hitting mid‑month run
• Other headliners include the Kinks, Hawkwind and Uriah Heep
• Tickets priced between 70p and £1.10 depending on act and door purchase
• Advance tickets available via the Mel Bush Organisation in Bournemouth
đź“° Overview
This NME advert captures a venue and promoter operating at full throttle — stacking a month with some of Britain’s biggest and most explosive live acts. Bowie’s placement as the final August headliner reflects his fast‑accelerating profile during the Ziggy Stardust breakthrough, while Slade’s mid‑month slot underscores their chart‑topping power.
đź“° Source Details
Publication / Venue: New Musical Express
Date: August 5, 1972
Format: One‑page advert
Provenance Notes: Based on the original Starkers Royal Ballrooms promotional advertisement.
đź“° The Story
The advert outlines:
• A five‑show August programme curated by Mel Bush
• Bowie’s August 31 appearance priced at £1 advance / £1.10 door
• Slade’s August 18 show at 80p advance / 90p door
• Clear ticketing and travel information for fans across Bournemouth and Boscombe
• Starkers positioning itself as a key South Coast stop for major touring acts
The tone is direct, confident and promotional — a venue signalling its importance by booking the biggest names of the moment.
đź“° Visual Archive
• Stylised Starkers Royal Ballrooms masthead
• Listing of all August headliners with dates and pricing
• Promoter and ticketing details
Bowie and Slade in August ’72 — two pillars of Britain’s live scene, sharing a month of high‑voltage shows.
đź“° Closing Notes
This NME advert stands as a snapshot of a pivotal summer — Bowie rising, Slade roaring and Starkers hosting a month of pure early‑’70s electricity.
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