London ICA 05/06/1989

If you have more information or memorabilia related to this gig that you’re happy to share, please get in touch.

Set List

Notes

First gig of the six night residency at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London. Different support bands were proposed for each evening, initially all from the Fontana roster. Originally the plan was to have Guy open each evening with a solo performance but like numerous press reports relating to support bands this did not happen. Artists rumoured to be support acts included Wayne Hussey (of The Mission), Was Not Was, Primal Scream, Love & Money, Momus, Peter Perrett (of The Only Ones), Pere Ubu, Lilac Time, Andy Pawlak, Swing Out Sister, The Rainbirds and former Creation label-mate Heidi Berry.

During the ICA week the band used an intro tape of the first part of Patti Smith’s Rock’n’Roll Nigger. This is referred to in one of the music paper reviews, where it is rather snarkily (and inaccurately) suggested it was a tape of crowd noise.

Quotes

“Another gig that carried that unique London vibe – the excitement of a hometown appearance, friends, press and industry people present, great for star spotting. Missed the soundcheck for some reason but hung out with the band and associated crew, Terry kindly buying us a fancy ICA lunch, candid chats over coffee. Quite a nervy atmosphere all day, the band seeming to have lost confidence during the performance, apprehensive about how the new second album songs would be received. That was hardly surprising given the volatile band dynamics around this time, the weight of expectation on their shoulders and some quarters of the music press beginning to turn on them. That said, the new material sounded great and the new light show that Chris had helped steer added impact.” Tim Driver

Photo Gallery