From deep within, despite the rain…
David Bowie played his first show down under for gazillions of years (16 actually), when A Reality Tour reached Wellington in New Zealand. A somewhat jetlagged BowieNetter, Charly (aka ch ch ch ch ch charlie), called me from outside the Westpac Stadium a couple of hours ago, moments after Mr Bowie had left the building.
As well as very kindly providing the set list, Charly also informed me of a couple of the onstage shenanigans, such as the crowd participation encouragement from David before Dudes and a brief teasing snatch (can I say that?) of Space Oddity after Slip Away, followed by the hint: “I ain’t doing that one, so fuck ya!”
The weather was not all it might have been, and after Hallo Spaceboy, a downpour was enough to persuade David to don a hooded top. But, one of the more bizarre moments, according to Charly, was after Be My Wife when, after he had towel-dried his hair, David proceeded to play air towel! It all sounds completely insane, and jolly good fun to (Wellington) boot.
Here is the unconfirmed 28-song set list from Charlie, which, knowing how diligent the lovely lady is, will be one hundred per cent accurate:
Wellington February 14th 2004
01 Rebel Rebel
02 New Killer Star
03 Reality
04 Fame
05 Cactus
06 Afraid
07 All The Young Dudes
08 China Girl
09 Slip Away
10 Starman
11 A New Career In A New Town
12 The Loneliest Guy
13 The Man Who Sold The World
14 Hallo Spaceboy
15 Sunday
16 Under Pressure
17 Life On Mars?
18 Be My Wife
19 Days
20 Hang On To Yourself
21 Changes
22 Ashes To Ashes
23 White Light, White Heat
24 I’m Afraid Of Americans
25 “Heroes”
(Encore)
26 Five Years
27 Suffragette City
28 Ziggy Stardust
UPDATE: Here’s a little more Charly has now sent in via e-mail…
Air Towel, Hoods and Orange Velvet.
Being the first time that Bowie has played New Zealand in eons, the crowd seemed initially rather timid and quiet. The rain persisted down, not relenting as Bowie roared into New Killer Star. By now the crowd had realised just what they were witnessing and cheers and claps were abundant. Bowie teased their quietness by asking if it was too early to ask them to sing before launching into a great, energetic Dudes.
Gail was wearing some class gear tonight – a bright orange velvet suit (with long jacket), teamed with a yellowy-green T-shirt. Even Gerry looked more dapper than usual in a beige-ish coloured two piece. Bowie kept asking if we were okay and laughed. He then reassured us that if we were okay, they were okay and would keep playing.
The rain ceased for a short time before hammering down big time for Under Pressure. By this time, David was wearing a hooded tracksuit top (with the hood up) and an anorak. But, bless him, he stood on the platform at the front so got just as wet as us. After Be My Wife he acquired a towel and started drying his hair. He then said that was ‘air towel’ and started to emulate air guitar, but with the towel!
There were no platforms tonight, so Hallo Spaceboy was performed on the main stage. I can only assume due to the soggy weather conditions. David did thank us for turning out, dedicating Heroes to us all for putting up with it. And the final trio brought the rain to a stop as the closing bars of Ziggy rang through the stadium. Yes, it was worth the flight from the UK.
Thanx so very much for all that Charly, look forward to your next report when A Reality Tour reaches Brisbane, Australia, on Tuesday the 17th.