Sometimes, the lengths artists go to bring their music to
the masses is outstanding. Artists have played in some pretty odd places in
order to please fans or just to say they did.
On Friday, Lady Gaga played an intimate show at The Bitter
End in promotion of her new album, ‘Joanne.’ While it is not unusual for an
artist with that much fame to test music out at a small show, it is a bit of a spectacle
when they finish their gig and play
another on the roof of the venue right after. But that is exactly what she
did, treating the crowd below to a free, impromptu set of new music. While
playing out of a window or on a roof has been done before (i.e. The Beatles’
infamous gig on top of Apple Headquarters), it is still a wild scene when it
happens.
Join Vinyl Bay 777 in looking
back at some of the oddest places artists have plugged in and played a show. From
tall towers and elevators to abandoned buildings and continents filled with
penguins, here are seven of the strangest gigs ever.
1.
Spiritualized, Toronto’s CN Tower: Earning them
the Guinness World Record for “highest concert performed in a man-made
structure” in 1997, Spiritualized performed on the 144th story
Toronto’s CN Tower, 114 stories in the air. According to an interview with MTV,
lead singer Jason Pierce said they played that show “Because it was there.
Nobody has done a show there before, we’ll be making our own venue.”
2.
Kanye West, Airplane: On a flight to New York in
2010, Kanye West decided to commandeer the plane’s intercom and gave passengers
an impromptu show. Really, it was only one song medley, a mash-up of “Gold
Digger” and “Good Life.” Other artists have also performed on planes, including
Jamiroquai, who did it to promote their greatest hits album, ‘High Times,’ The
Black Eyed Peas and James Blunt.
3.
The Sex Pistols, Chelmsford Top Security Prison
/ On a boat: When the Sex Pistols were together, they played some pretty interesting
gigs. One such gig occurred at the Chelmsford Top Security Prison, where Johnny
Rotten urged the inmates to rage when they (the inmates) were not allowed to.
Another was their infamous boat gig on the Thames during the Queen’s Silver
Jubilee, where they played “God Save the Queen” while passing the House of
Parliament.
4.
Nunatak, Antarctica: When the global music and
social action event Live Earth occurred in 2007, its organizers wanted to make
sure that there was music on all continents, even Antarctica. A band made up of
research scientists at the Rothera Research Station, known as Nunatak, was the
only performer.
5.
Pink Floyd, Pompeii: In 1971, Pink Floyd filmed
themselves playing to an audience of none at the ancient Roman amphitheatre in
Pompeii. The gig was released as a concert film in 1972.
6.
Sigur Rós, Abandoned Herring Factory: Abandoned
buildings are a great place for an impromptu gig. Just ask Sigur Rós, who in
2006 played a free gig at an abandoned herring factory in Djúpavík, Iceland.
The gig was part of a DVD the band recorded of them playing a two-week tour of
unusual locations in Iceland.
7.
Arcade Fire, Elevator: While in France promoting
their album ‘Neon Bible’ in 2007, Arcade Fire did an intimate session for La Blogotheque.
That session ended up taking place in the freight elevator of the Olympia,
where they were scheduled to play a show a few hours later.
It might be seem a little odd when artists play gigs in
unexpected places. However, it can also be a one-of-a-kind, special moment for
a fan to catch a show like that. A stunt such as playing in an airplane or one
of the highest free-standing structures in the world can grab an artist a lot
of attention from people who may not even know who they are. When Lady Gaga
performed atop The Bitter End on Friday, she made one of these moments, not
only for her fans, but for the people on the streets of New York that night as
well.
Pick up music from all these artists and more in-store at
Vinyl Bay 777 and online at vinylbay777.com. We
have thousands of titles to choose from on vinyl, CD, cassette and more!
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