The 80s was certainly the era where music thrived, and where the many of the most timeless and iconic bands and artists that we still listen to today emerged from.
The Edinburgh music scene was bouncing at the time, with many people hitting the clubs and dance floors for a boogie, and still more flocking to Edinburgh's amazing venues like the Playhouse, the old Odeon, and - of course - Murrayfield.
To pay homage the golden age of wild nights out, we've compiled a list of five of the most iconic concerts which took place in Edinburgh in the 80s - oh, and we tracked down some audio and video clips too. Bring on the nostalgia!
U2 at Murrayfield Stadium – August 1, 1987
U2 performed this iconic gig as part of their Joshua Tree tour. With popular bands such as The Mission, The Pogues, Runrig and Love & Money as the supporting line-up, fans were not left disappointed with the wide array of music that was on offer to them.
As well as their own material and standout songs such as The Unforgettable Fire and With or Without You, the band played some covers of other notable bands of that minute, covering Joy Division and The Doors. It was quite a gig, to say the least.
AC/DC at The Playhouse – October 10, 1982
Possibly one of the most well-known and transformative bands in the world, there was a time when Australian rock band AC/DC could be seen right on your doorstep. Their 1981/1982 "For Those About To Rock" world tour saw the band travel to Germany, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds and of course Edinburgh.
Tickets cost £6.50 and scores of fans packed out the Edinburgh venue in order to see their favourite band. AC/DC have continued to perform all these years, working their way up to sell out arena shows and performing the hits that we all know and love today.
Bruce Springsteen at The Playhouse – May 17, 1981
American legend Bruce Springsteen made this one of his most unmissable gigs to date, packing out the venue with young fans desperate to see the rocker and hear the iconic tracks which have made him so popular right up until this day.
He is still legendary now in the global music scene, with fans of all ages able to get on board with his catchy tracks.
You can listen to audio from his 1981 Playhouse gig above.
David Bowie at Murrayfield Stadium – June 28, 1983
David Bowie took to the famous Murrayfield Stadium in 1983 as part of his Serious Moonlight tour, his longest, largest and most successful concert tour to date at the time. Performing some of his best known tracks such as ‘Heroes’ and ‘Lets Dance’, this is a gig that no one who attended could ever forget, with Bowie providing a stellar performance.
With support acts ‘Icehouse’ and ‘The Thomson Twins’, this gig will remain up there as one of Bowie’s finest, but then again, he always put on quite the show. There's a great news report about the gig above, with quotes from some very excited and youthful fans.
Madness at The Odeon cinema – December 9, 1980
We had to finish our roundup with a band that, no matter your age or musical preference, almost everyone loves.
Madness always put on the best possible show, and they were at their peak in the 80s, playing shows up and down the country and across the world. The Ska band always know how to get everyone up on their feet and they certainly did that at this gig, bringing the house down with their hits It Must Be Love and One Step Beyond.
Unfortunately we couldn't track down any footage of their 1980 gig, so enjoy their most recent performance at Edinburgh's Summer Sessions in 2019 instead.
You can read our interview with Suggs where he talks about his favourite Edinburgh gigs here.
