music
February 14, 2026
The Guide #330: From Oasis to Bowie, your stories of seeing pre-stardom acts
In this week’s newsletter: Everyone has to start somewhere … and in front of someone. Thankfully, these soon-to-be-huge artists left the mime act and dodgy covers (mostly) in the past
TL;DR
- Readers and Guardian music writers share personal anecdotes of seeing famous musicians perform in small venues before they became widely known.
- Memories include Pulp's captivating set in Halifax, Haim's early performance at the Shacklewell Arms, and David Bowie's unusual mime act.
- Other notable early performances mentioned are Giggs at Underage festival, Coldplay before 'Yellow' broke, The Police at a university bar, Nirvana's second British show, Oasis playing at an indie night, and Playboi Carti at a radio station's birthday party.
- The article also recounts seeing Twenty One Pilots in a small club, James Blunt's early gig in Munich, and The Killers' unsigned performance at Camden's Dublin Castle.
- These stories emphasize the beginnings of iconic artists and the foresight of those who recognized their potential early on.
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