David Bowie took to the stage at Newcastle's Mayfair Ballroom 35 years ago as the frontman of Tin Machine, setting aside his solo hits for a loud, guitar-driven set. The show on November 5, 1991, was part of the band's It's My Life world tour and marked a deliberate break from the commercial success that followed 1983's 'Let's Dance'.
Bowie formed Tin Machine with American musicians Reeves Gabrels and brothers Tony and Hunt Sales to escape the commercial treadmill. Their self-penned music was loud, abrasive and anti-melodic, and the Newcastle setlist contained none of his classics such as 'Space Oddity', 'Life On Mars', 'Rebel Rebel', 'Heroes' or 'China Girl'.
Mixed Crowd and Energetic Response
Reviewing the show, the Chronicle noted: "A strange mixture of students, old hippies and middle‐aged couples queued from early evening to get the best vantage point. When his assorted group of musical desperadoes hit the stage, the place exploded."
Bowie, then 44, was renewing an acquaintance with the region that began at Newcastle City Hall in 1964, when he appeared under his real name with Davy Jones and the Manish Boys. He later played the same venue several times in the 1970s, performed at Roker Park, Sunderland, in 1987, appeared at Newcastle's Riverside club in 1990, and in 1995 became the first major act to perform at the newly-opened Newcastle Arena.
Hit-Free Set Goes Down a Storm
On a chilly Bonfire Night, The Journal reported how "Bowie cast off his superstar status and went back to basics" at the Mayfair. Despite the absence of his hits, Tin Machine performed songs from their two albums, with a couple of covers from Roxy Music and The Pixies included.
The review stated: "The balconies groaned under the weight and pounding of the 1,500-strong crowd, all clambering to see the latest face of the chameleon music maestro. From the start, Bowie made it clear this was not going to be just another one-man show belting out all the old classics. It's a new style and a new venture."
After the Show and the Venue's Legacy
Following the performance, Bowie and his entourage were spotted dining at Sachins, the Indian restaurant on Newcastle's Forth Banks. He had booked a table for seven, enjoyed chicken makhani, and stayed for three hours, following in the footsteps of "Elton John, Steve Davis, and Samantha Fox", it was reported.
The Mayfair show was Bowie's second and final performance at the club, having first played there in 1972. The venue, on the corner of Newgate Street and Low Friar Street since 1961, closed in 1999 and was demolished to make way for The Gate leisure complex. In January 2016, Bowie died from cancer at the age of 69, prompting tributes from fans worldwide.
