Tuesday 23rd January - David Bowie held a press conference at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park, London to officially announce his world "Sound & Vision" tour. I caught a train to London early that morning and went along to the theatre where I met up with friends. Unfortunately we couldn't get in so we watched through the doors and I could just make out David's head! When it was over, a couple of people who had managed to sneak in or blag their way in told us which dates had been announced and we all suddenly felt a wave of excitement. The first few dates went on sale within the next 2 days so it was a mad scramble to get tickets. There were UK gigs at Birmingham, Edinburgh and London. When a third date at the London Docklands Arena was announced the tickets sold out in eight minutes!

I had decided that I wanted to go to a few shows abroad on this tour (as many as the financial situation would allow) so the next month was spent frantically writing to penpals and phoning around to try and secure tickets. I managed to get all the ones I needed except for one, but I was sure I'd get one on the day so wasn't unduly bothered. So, with all my tickets safely stashed (so safe I almost forgot where I'd put them!) along with my passport and interail card, all I had to do was wait for the tour. The waiting was the worst part - but at last on Sunday 18th March two friends from the south of England (Pete & Ian) came up to my house to stay for the duration of the Birmingham shows. Then, at last the first show was almost upon us.

Monday 19th March 1990 - We awoke fairly early, mainly because David was featured on breakfast television (TVAM) in an interview which was being shown as a 5-part special every morning that week. We set off for the NEC, via Birmingham city centre as Pete & Ian had never been before. On arrival at the NEC we saw a couple of people hanging around by the front entrance, no one we knew. A little while later some of our friends arrived and we all went across to the Metropol Hotel for a drink. We went back to the NEC at 1600hrs to listen to the soundcheck. It could be heard very loudly and clearly as we stood just outside the main arena. Just afterwards a camera crew walked in carrying various bits of filming equipment. They came over to us and asked us what songs we wanted to hear David sing live, talking to Ian first and then me. Pete stood behind me trying not to look like he hoped to be on TV! I asked the crew when it would be broadcast and on what program so we could watch and record our moment of 'fame'. They said it would be shown on Breakfast Time the next morning. Great, get the video ready for that one too.

After a bit more waiting around (which seemed to last for ages) it was finally 1830hrs and the doors opened. We didn't go straight to our seats, just wandered around, looking at the merchandise stalls and chatting. We took our seats at 1915hrs leaving us only 45 minutes until Bowie would play. Pete was looking forward to the show as today was his birthday. What a great way to celebrate a birthday!

At 2000hrs the lights dimmed and everyone stood up and cheered. David and the band walked on, David himself strumming the first chords of 'Space Oddity', looking fit and healthy. A huge mesh-like curtain hung over the stage and images of David were projected onto it. At certain points during the song, the image would also be singing the lyrics of the song and it was in perfect timing with David - very clever. After 'Space Oddity' David said "good evening" and said that it was was nice to be back in England. Then 'Changes' began, very uptempo and a great version. David playd the saxophone next for 'TVC15' which was something I'd always wanted to see him do. During other songs 'Blue Jean' and 'Let's Dance' being two of them, the curtain was used again and David could be seen dancing with an unknown blonde, or atleast that's what it said in the papers. I think most people realised it was Louise Lecavalier from La La La Human Steps with whom Bowie had made an electric appearance at the Dominion Theatre in London in 1988 (but that's another story!).

David sang some great songs 'Be My Wife', 'Ashes to Ashes' and 'Golden Years'. At the end of Ashes he repeated the line "my mama says....." walking away from the microphone so his voice faded and the audience could take over. They shouted about two lines before bursting into cheers and applause. David sang 'John I'm Only Dancing' which he dedicated to all the gays in the audience. This was followed by 'Queen Bitch' (fantastic) and 'Fashion' and then 'Life On Mars'. Infact, David sang a lot of songs I had hoped for during the entire set. The last song before the interval was 'China Girl' and then there was a fifteen minute break. I was having a good time so far!

The second half began with 'Ziggy Stardust', then 'Sound & Vision' and 'Station to Station', which were amazing. He sang 'Moon of Alabama' which was a bit of a surprise, didn't expect that one. 'Panic in Detroit' was energetic and David did a bit of adlibbing at the end of 'Young Americans'. An electrifying 'Suffragette City' really brought the audience alive as did a great version of 'Fame', having had yet another musical makeover. The visuals were great and Bowie amazed everyone with his talents - playing a guitar with one string! 'Heroes' brought the second half to a close and David ran off the stage leaving us all to stamp and clap until he came back on. There were four encores beginning with 'Jean Genie' and followed by a new song called 'Pretty Pink Rose' which David told us he had written for Adrian Belew's new album. The penultimate number was 'Modern Love' before 'Rock n Roll Suicide' ended the show, a great closing number. A sea of arms waved in the air as David sang 'cos you're wonderful'.

Many of the songs were ones that I had hoped for, 'Life On Mars', 'Queen Bitch', 'Suffragette City' and 'Station to Station' to name a few. A great start to the tour. On the way out I bought a couple of t-shirts and a program and then caught the train with Pete & Ian, talking about the show all the way home. Roll on tomorrow!