David Bowie's Legendary 1971 Concert at Friars Aylesbury

A Historic Night at Market Square, September 25, 1971

On Saturday, September 25, 1971, at 8 p.m., David Bowie took the stage at Friars Aylesbury (held at the Borough Assembly Hall in Market Square, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England) for a pivotal early performance, marking the first live show with his soon-to-be-iconic backing band, The Spiders from Mars (Mick Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, and Woody Woodmansey on drums), alongside pianist Tom Parker. Supported by the American folk-rock trio America (whose set was canceled that night), this gig—advertised at 50p admission—was billed as Bowie's "only current British appearance." The quirky poster, with its wavy borders and gothic "Friars" lettering, captured the underground rock vibe of the era.

This concert, held 54 years ago to the day as of today, Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 04:29 PM BST, was a cornerstone in Bowie's career. It served as an experimental showcase for much of the material from Hunky Dory (released December 1971), performed just weeks after his influential meeting with Andy Warhol in New York. Friars Aylesbury, a legendary club (1969–1984) that boosted acts like Genesis and Roxy Music, inspired Bowie to form The Spiders, with promoter David Stopps noting the night's impact. The city's bond with Bowie endures, marked by the first worldwide Bowie statue in 2016.

The Official Setlist

Here’s the confirmed 14-song setlist from that night:

Fill Your Heart

Buzz The Fuzz

Space Oddity

Amsterdam

The Supermen

Oh! You Pretty Things

Eight Line Poem

Changes

Song For Bob Dylan

Andy Warhol

Queen Bitch

Looking For A Friend

Round And Round

Waiting For The Man

This setlist blended Hunky Dory previews with covers like "Amsterdam" (Jacques Brel) and "Waiting for the Man" (Velvet Underground), alongside rarities like "Buzz The Fuzz" and possibly unreleased tracks like "Looking for a Friend." The raw, eclectic performance showcased Bowie’s transitional phase from folk to glam.

Legacy and Recordings

This is one of the earliest surviving full Bowie concert recordings, captured on an audience tape and later released on the Divine Symmetry box set (2022), featuring tracks like "The Supermen," "Space Oddity," and "Oh! You Pretty Things." Bootlegs like Aylesbury Friars Club 1971 (2006) also circulate. The original poster remains a collector’s item, fetching £500+ at auctions. On X, fans still celebrate the setlist and the night’s role in sparking The Spiders’ formation.

CD 3: BBC Radio Session and Live from Divine Symmetry

The Divine Symmetry box set includes a dedicated section on CD 3 for the September 25, 1971, Aylesbury performance, marking its first official release. Sourced from a lo-fi audience recording, these tracks capture the electric debut of the Spiders from Mars with pianist Tom Parker. The Aylesbury setlist is as follows:

BBC Session (Kensington House, London, September 21, 1971):

The Supermen

Oh! You Pretty Things

Eight Line Poem

Kooks*

Fill Your Heart*

Amsterdam*

Andy Warhol*

Live Friars, Aylesbury, 25th September 1971:

Introduction*

Fill Your Heart*

Buzz The Fuzz*

Space Oddity*

Amsterdam*

The Supermen*

Oh! You Pretty Things*

Eight Line Poem*

Changes*

Song For Bob Dylan*

Andy Warhol*

Looking For A Friend*

Round And Round*

Waiting For The Man*

(* denotes previously unreleased tracks). These recordings, remastered for the 2022 release, retain the raw energy of the night, including Bowie’s banter in the introduction. This aligns with the setlist you provided, offering a historic snapshot of the pre-Ziggy era.

This "very good event" was a fly-on-the-wall moment at history unfolding—raw, unpolished, and electric. Whether you’re spinning the bootleg or streaming the official release, it’s a pre-glam gem worth revisiting.