“Now it’s time to close our eyes, Now it’s time to say goodbye.”
So I said “So long” and I waved bye-bye…
David Bowie ended the final show of the European leg of his A Reality Tour in Glasgow last night with his usual style and brilliance, and a little extra for good measure. It’s hard not to be whisked along by the sheer enthusiasm of an audience this good and David responded with an evening of total entertainment, confirming for many why he’s still the best solo rock act in the world today.
The 28-song set was a perfect balance of old and new, and though the usual ovation for Life On Mars? was there, (if cut a little short by the relatively quick launch into Ashes To Ashes) there was no doubting this crowd’s enthusiasm for Starman which received the kind of reaction normally reserved for Life On Mars?.
“He took it all too far but boy could he play guitar.”
Even though Glasgow was the final date of this European jaunt, the sadness was short lived when David confirmed he would return next year with the following statement: “Not only is this the last show of the tour, but it’s the last show that we’ll ever do, until… The T In The Park, Next year. So, you know… see you there!”
Tickets go on sale for T In The Park this coming Monday December 1st. More on that particular show and The Isle Of Wight festival announcement shortly.
David also referred to the fact that Scotland hadn’t originally been pencilled in when he said something along the lines of: “I’ll make sure we come back here. I won’t make that mistake again.”
There was a touching moment when David grabbed a banner, (made by BowieNetter Charlie) after a very emotional version of All The Young Dudes and just before China Girl. The banner read “THIS ONE’S FOR DEAN” and David held it aloft, saying: “Those of you that know, understand what this is all about.”
Glasgow was without doubt one of the best shows of the tour, but don’t take my word for it… read on after the setlist for a few snippets of reviews from this morning’s Scottish press:
Glasgow November 28th 2003
01 Rebel Rebel
02 New Killer Star
03 Reality
04 Fame
05 Fashion
06 Cactus
07 Afraid
08 All The Young Dudes
09 China Girl
10 The Loneliest Guy
11 The Man Who Sold The World
12 Hallo Spaceboy
13 Sunday
14 The Jean Genie
15 Under Pressure
16 Life On Mars?
17 Ashes To Ashes
18 Starman
19 Be My Wife
20 Let’s Dance
21 Never Get Old
22 Changes
23 I’m Afraid Of Americans
24 “Heroes”
(Encore)
25 White Light, White Heat
26 Five Years
27 Suffragette City
28 Ziggy Stardust
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Excerpts of reviews of David Bowie at the Glasgow SECC November 28th 2003
“I think I’m going to have to rethink this ridiculous one glove idea!”
NOW is a good time to be David Bowie, and a good time to be a fan of David Bowie. The Thin White Duke looked more dazzling than ever, his voice is in supple shape and, thanks to his wonderful intuitive band, everything else sounds great too.
…In 2003, this ultra-cool 50-something has wired back into the spirit, the strut and the stance that makes him peerless still. And, by his own announcement, he?s going to do it all again at next year?s T in the Park.
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The Herald
…The 56-year-old has consistently proved through this current tour that age is no barrier to performance. He wowed fans with a raft of classics, obscure gems, and tracks from Reality, his new album.
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The Sun
DAVID BOWIE gave his Scots fans a Reality check last night. The rock legend put on a stunning show for an 8,000 sell-out crowd at the SECC in Glasgow as he wound up the British leg of his world-wide tour.
The 56-year-old superstar wowed fans by opening with classic hit Rebel Rebel before plugging songs from his new album, Reality. …It was Bowie at his best.
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David and the band now have a week off before the madness starts again on Saturday the 6th of December, at The Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.