David Bowie (June 29, 1973) The Alien Who Landed in a Roller Rink

Jun 29, 1973

2 min read

The Original Poster & Venue Change

The Historic Roller Rink Shows

This striking, hexagonal promotional poster represents a fascinating piece of music history: the original, un-rescheduled David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars gig. It was originally slated for the Leeds University Refectory on Saturday, 2nd June 1973. However, the university venue was deemed unsuitable for Bowie’s massive theatrical production, so the concert was moved to the Kirkstall Rolarena on Friday, 29th June 1973. The original promotional artwork is now a holy grail for glam rock collectors, with original prints fetching upwards of £1,750 at auction. High-quality reproductions are available on Etsy and eBay UK.

The Kirkstall Rolarena was a functional roller-skating rink on Kirkstall Road. Placing Bowie’s high-concept glam rock show inside a cavernous roller rink created a unique, highly echoed atmosphere. After the original date was cancelled, demand was so high that Bowie performed two sold-out shows on the same day: a matinee and an evening performance. This double-header was the 151st date of the tour. Just four days later, Bowie would dramatically disband the Spiders from Mars at Hammersmith Odeon.

The Cultural Impact

Setlist & Legacy

For 1973 Yorkshire, Bowie’s performance was a cultural earthquake. Local teens witnessed a man performing in full makeup and a glittering leotard for the first time. The energy was so intense that fans tore out an entire row of seats trying to get closer to the stage. Bowie was supported by the 1950s rock’n’roll revival band Fumble, whose Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly covers perfectly warmed up the crowd. Bowie paid tribute by closing his set with a roaring cover of Chuck Berry’s “Around and Around.”

The Tight 18-Song Setlist (played twice that day): 1. Hang On to Yourself 2. Ziggy Stardust 3. Watch That Man 4. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud 5. All the Young Dudes 6. Oh! You Pretty Things 7. Moonage Daydream 8. Changes 9. Space Oddity 10. The Jean Genie 11. Time 12. The Width of a Circle 13. Let’s Spend the Night Together (Rolling Stones cover) 14. Suffragette City 15. White Light/White Heat (Velvet Underground cover) 16. Around and Around (Chuck Berry cover) 17. Drive-In Saturday

Archival Evidence Genuine artifacts from this legendary day, including iconic live photography by Kevin Cummins, are permanently archived in the V&A David Bowie Collection. Fine-art prints and official memorabilia are available through the V&A Shop.