One of two secret gigs, hastily arranged for Christmas and Boxing Day 1979 prior to the Concert for Kampuchea.
page updated - started May 2020
No known audio or video
If you know of any recording, email blackmarketclash
Did you go? What do you remember?
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please email blackmarketclash
Acklam Hall off Ladbroke Grove, literally under the Westway is small place with a limited 250 capacity. It was 50p to get in same as the youth club held normally in the Hall. Mick had seen Joe playing with the 101’ers here.
A poster was given away at the Hall of the very recent Pennie Smith photos of the Clash in their US finery taken at Mick’s Nan’s flat in Wilmcote House. Tickets were in the form of a Christmas card from the band.
After the US tour grandeur it was back to Johnny Green and Baker with a transit for gear, and with the band heavily in debt The Clash skimped on the quality of the PA with the result that the sound was decidedly ropey. Mickey played organ, Kosmo in gold lame suit was MC and Bob Gruen played a bugle fan fare as the band hit the stage (Paul had evidently tried and failed to teach Baker to play it).
The band wore their Alex Michon designed bowling type shirts for the first time, which would remain their stage gear for most of 1980.
Kosmo paid for flyers from his own pocket but as the flyers were only posted after closing time on Christmas Eve and also because many must have thought it a wind-up ,attendance was sparse on Christmas Day. One special guest who did come and enjoyed herself was Stella, Mick’s Nan seeing her grandson on stage for the first time!
Boxing Day night, from which this recording was made, was decidedly different; the word was out and the hall was packed with people passing out from the crush. A dozen or more boisterous skinheads invaded the stage during White Riot prompting Joe to say Jimmy Pursey was not expected!
No known audio or video
If you know of any recording, email blackmarketclash
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
If you know of any articles or references for this particular gig, anything that is missing, please do let us know.
One thing for certain ...
Aklam Hall review-
Clash make it good
Melody Maker REVIEW - 5 Jan 1980
The Clash Play Revolution Rock
Chris Salewicz, Trouser Press, March 1980
IT'S FOUR days before Christmas. A dark, early evening damp with snow and rain. Immediately south of the Thames, in the inappropriately genteel Victorians
A collection of articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates from the Clash's Take the Fifth US Tour covering the period of the Pearl Harbour Tour.
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