The Clash Live – Ancienne Belgique Brussels - Sunday 22nd October 1978

Sort it Out Tour to Ireland, France, Holland, Belgium
13-24 October 1978

updated Oct 2020 – added poster
Updated 22 January 2022 - added tic with signed hotel letterhead

The Clash at the Anciene Belgigue October 1978

Audio 1 - 'Brussels Louts' -
upgraded - Sound 2.5 - 50min - 2gen - 17 tracks

I Fought the Law

Some tapes have this labeled the 30th. The recording (Joe) I.D.'s the venue as Brussels but Johnny Greens book A Riot of Our Own (p109) suggests the Begium date of the 22nd was Leuven just outside Brussels. Around 1500 people at the gig. Great photos here from Philippe Carly

This recording captures another powerful and pumped up performance. The sound has a reasonable range, distinguishing the drums, lead guitar and vocals clearly but the bass is buried somewhat.

A little flat though not dull this is a nice audience recording though it sounds to be in mono. Lead guitar comes through particularly powerfully and captures Mick’s powerful lead work throughout. Vocals though are OK but somewhat distant. There is some audience chat but it’s never particularly intrusive.

Short Euro Tour

This very good audience recording comes from the mini tour of France, Holland and Belgium immediately prior to Bernie Rhodes sacking. Johnny Green includes dates on this tour as some of the best he witnessed. This first generation recording certainly captures much of the controlled power of The Clash at this time.

There is some doubt as to the correct date and even venue for this recording. Return of the Last Gang in town states Bernie was sacked on October 21st on their return from Belgium. Johnny Green’s book has the band returning by plane just in time to play the rescheduled Harlesden Roxy gigs on the 25 & 26th October, which would fit this date.

As to the venue Joe certainly name checks Brussels and the band would have been likely to have played a date in the Belgium capital and the Ancienne Belgique would have been a likely venue. It has a 2,500 capacity, much of which is standing and its still in use to day as a very popular venue. However we do know from Johnny’s book that the band played a gig in Leuven, outside Brussels and Joe at least appears to sing Leuven ‘s Burning.

Better scan of the poster appreciated

A very enjoyable bootleg.

The recording starts with an excellent Complete Control nearing the end of its role as set opener. Mick unusually plays a few extra notes on the intro. There’s a great response from the audience and The Clash blast straight into Tommy Gun. Joe does not address the audience until Whiteman, when he says, “We’re told people in Brussels don’t move”.

There are no weak performances but Police & Thieves and Capital Radio are particular highlights with both songs being stretched and extended. There is an edit after Guns On The Roof, which probably loses Stay Free.

There is an abrupt edit at the end of an excellent Garageland and restarts with the 3 song encore with Joe saying, “I can tell you really don’t wanna hear no more..that’s Ok, we’re kind of keen on it anyway”. This reflects more the known renewed camaraderie between the band at this time, united in the decision to sack Bernie than the response from the audience, which is very enthusiastic throughout.

Did you go? What do you remember?
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17	Complete Control Tommy Gun I Fought the Law Jail Guitar Doors Clash City Rockers White Man Drug Stabbing Time Protex Blue Guns on the Roof Police and Thieves Blitzkreig Bop Capital Radio Janie Jones Garageland English Civil War Londons Burning White Riot

There are several sights that provide setlists but most mirror www.blackmarketclash.co.uk. They are worth checking.

from Setlist FM (cannot be relied on)

from Songkick (cannot be relied on)
... both have lists of people who say they went

& from the newer Concert Database

Also useful: Ultimate Music datbase, All Music, Clash books at DISCOGS

Numerous articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates from the Sort it Out Tour, October to December 1978

If you know of any articles or references for this particular gig, anything that is missing, please do let us know.

Punk in Belgium, 1976-78
2 December 2015

In the first half of 1976, the then new rock music magazine More! put Patti Smith on the cover of its March issue and dedicated a page and a half in the June issue to her legendary concert in May... PDF

En attendant Magazine – French
Belgium Magazine - n°11

Clash City Rockers

UK Local Radio – 4 mins

BBC R1 - Rock On
10 mins John Tobler w/Mick & Paul

BBC Radio 1 various
Something Else TV/John Tobler Rock On w Joe Mick / John Tobler Paul Mick 80

London Lyceum 28th Dec
1 track on Rude Boy

If you know any please let us know

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