📰 The Bowie Tour – Article: Feb. 1977

NME announces Bowie’s long‑awaited return to British stages with a 13‑date early‑summer tour.

A major New Musical Express announcement outlines Bowie’s first provincial UK concerts since 1973, supported by a newly expanded band and following an extensive American tour.

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📰 Key Highlights

• 13‑date UK tour confirmed

• First provincial shows since Aladdin Sane (1973)

• First UK performances since Station to Station Wembley (1976)

• Re‑shaped six‑piece band revealed

• Nearly 60 U.S. dates precede the UK leg

📰 Overview

In February 1977, New Musical Express published a full‑page announcement detailing David Bowie’s early‑summer British tour. The article positioned the run as a major cultural moment: Bowie returning to the UK after a year of reinvention, international touring, and a shift toward a more expansive live sound.

📰 Source Details

Publication / Venue: New Musical Express

Date: February 25, 1977

Issue / Format: One‑page article (Tour Announcement)

Provenance Notes: Sourced from a contemporary NME clipping documenting the official tour details.

📰 The Story

The February 25, 1977 issue of New Musical Express confirmed Bowie’s long‑anticipated return to British stages. The article announced a 13‑date early‑summer tour, with three nights each in Newcastle, Stafford and London, and four nights in Glasgow. These concerts marked Bowie’s first UK performances since the Station to Station Wembley shows in 1976, and his first provincial appearances since the Aladdin Sane tour of 1973.

Before arriving in Britain, Bowie would undertake a sweeping American tour beginning March 29 on the West Coast, covering nearly 60 dates across April and May. By the time he reached London on July 1, NME estimated he would have performed to more than a million people.

A major focus of the article was Bowie’s re‑shaped backing band. Returning collaborators included guitarist Stacey Heydon, drummer Dennis Davis and bassist George Murray — the rhythmic core of Bowie’s mid‑’70s sound. New additions expanded the sonic palette: Simon House of Hawkwind on electric violin, Sean Mayes of Fumble on keyboards, and Roger Powell of Utopia on synthesiser. The lineup signalled Bowie’s shift toward a more layered, textural live sound.

The article also provided detailed ticketing instructions, emphasising postal applications, strict per‑applicant limits, and venue‑specific pricing. With demand expected to be high, NME framed the tour as one of the most significant live events of 1977 — a rare chance to see Bowie at a moment of creative transformation.

📰 Visual Archive

NME confirms Bowie’s 1977 UK tour — his first provincial shows in four years.

📰 Related Material

Explore the tags below for connected posts and themes.

📰 Closing Notes

This article captures Bowie at a pivotal turning point — returning to Britain with a new sound, a new band, and a renewed creative direction. It stands as a key document of his late‑’70s evolution.

#TheBowieTour #1977Archive #NME #BowieChronicle #StationToStationEra

📝 Copyright Notice

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

WE announced this week of David Bowie's eagerly-awaited early summer tour of Britain. He plays a total of 13 major concerts three each in Newcastle, Stafford and London, and four in Glasgow.

These shows will be the first time he has performed in this country since his "Station To Station" Wembley gigs in 1976, and his first appearances in provincial cities since his "Aladdin Sane" tour in 1973.

The dates are NEWCAS-TLE City Hall (June 14, 15 and 16); GLASGOW Apollo (19, 20, 21 and 22); STAF-FORD Bingley Hall (24, 25 and 26); and LONDON Earls Court Stadium (29, 30 and July 1).

Bowie will be supported by a re-shaped backing band, comprising three old faithfuls and three newcomers. The three who have previously worked with him are guitarist Stacey Heydon (who last played here on Iggy Pop's tour in the autumn), drummer and percussionist Dennis Davis and bassist George Murray.

The new men in the band are Simon House of Hawkwind on electric violin, Fumble keyboards player Shaun Mayes and Roger Powell from Rundgren's Utopia on synthesiser.

Prior to coming to Britain, Bowie undertakes an extensive American tour, opening on the West Coast on March 29 and taking in nearly 60 different locations through April and May. By the time he finishes his final London date on July 1, it's estimated that he will have played to over a million people.

Tickets for Bowie's gigs are obtainable now, and apart from Stafford, are available by post only.

NEWCASTLE: Tickets priced £6, £5 and £4 from City Hall Box-Office, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1. Limited to four per applicant. Make cheques and POS payable to the addressee.

GLASGOW: Tickets priced £6, £5 and £4 from Apollo Centre, 126 Renfield Street, Glasgow. Limited to four per applicant. Cheques and POs to "Apollo Centre Box-Office".

STAFFORD: This venue is unseated and tickets are all at the one price of £4.50, limited to six per applicant. They can be obtained by post from Μ.Α.Μ. Promotions Box-Office, 24-25 New Bond Street, London W.1., marking the top left-hand corner of the envelope "Bingley".

(Cheques and POS to "M.A.M. Promotions Ltd"). They are also available to personal callers at Mike Lloyd Record Shops in Hanley, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Tunstall, and at Lotus Records in Stafford.

LONDON: Tickets priced £5, £4 and £3 from M.A.M. Promotions Box-Office, 24-25 New Bond Street, London W.1., marking the top left-hand corner of the envelope "Earls Court". Limited to six per applicant. Cheques and POs as for Stafford.