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📰T. Rex – Birmingham Town Hall: Feb. 1971

  • Writer: T.Rex
    T.Rex
  • Feb 16, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 14



A documented live appearance by T. Rex at Birmingham Town Hall on February 16, 1971, advertised in New Musical Express.


📰 Overview

This concert at Birmingham Town Hall on February 16, 1971 took place at a pivotal moment in T. Rex’s career. “Ride a White Swan” was still in the UK charts, “Hot Love” was days from release, and the band had recently expanded into the classic four‑piece electric lineup. The show formed part of a short UK run before the group embarked on a five‑week American tour beginning in late March.


📰 Source Details

Publication: New Musical Express

Date: February 13, 1971

Issue: Concert advertisement

Provenance Notes: Verified via NME print advert and cross‑referenced with documented T. Rex touring history.


📰 The Story

The Birmingham Town Hall concert was advertised in New Musical Express on February 13, 1971, listing T. Rex as the headlining act for February 16. This date falls within the promotional period surrounding the release of “Hot Love,” recorded the previous week and issued on February 19. At this time, T. Rex had fully transitioned from the Tyrannosaurus Rex acoustic duo into the electric four‑piece lineup that would define their early‑1970s sound.


“Ride a White Swan” remained active in the UK charts, marking the band’s breakthrough into mainstream success. The Birmingham show was one of several UK dates leading into a scheduled five‑week American tour beginning March 26. While no confirmed setlist survives, the band’s repertoire at this time included material from the T. Rex (1970) album, the forthcoming “Hot Love” maxi‑single, and selected earlier songs still performed in concert.


📰 Key Highlights

  • Confirmed concert date: February 16, 1971

  • Venue: Birmingham Town Hall

  • Advertised in New Musical Express on February 13

  • Ticket price: 60p / 12/-

  • Performed during the rise of “Ride a White Swan”

  • Occurred three days before the release of “Hot Love”

  • Band lineup: Marc Bolan, Mickey Finn, Steve Currie, Bill Legend

  • Part of the lead‑up to a five‑week U.S. tour beginning March 26


📰 Visual Archive


Apollo advert for T. Rex at Birmingham Town Hall, published in New Musical Express, February 13, 1971.


📰 Article Text

The concert was promoted through an Apollo Best One Price Concerts advert in New Musical Express, listing T. Rex for a February 16 appearance at Birmingham Town Hall. The show took place during a crucial moment in the band’s rise, with “Ride a White Swan” still charting and “Hot Love” about to be released. By this point, T. Rex had expanded into a full electric lineup, and their live performances reflected the shift toward the sound that would define their early‑1970s success. Although no setlist survives, the band’s repertoire at this time included material from their 1970 album, the forthcoming “Hot Love” maxi‑single, and selected earlier songs still performed onstage.


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📰 Closing Notes

This concert represents a key moment in T. Rex’s transformation from cult favourites to chart‑topping stars. The Birmingham Town Hall date stands as a documented milestone in the band’s early‑1971 momentum, bridging the success of “Ride a White Swan” and the imminent release of “Hot Love.”


📰 Sources

• New Musical Express, 13 February 1971 – concert advert

• Wikipedia – “T. Rex (band)” → Lineup history

• Wikipedia – “Ride a White Swan”

• Wikipedia – “Hot Love”

• Official Charts Company – UK Singles Chart (February 1971)

• Wikipedia – “T. Rex discography” (touring context and release timeline)




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