Microdisney - Amnesty International Benefit 1988 (Full Show)

Setlist:
0:00 Billy Connolly Intro
0:33 Gale Force Wind
4:08 Town To Town
7:25 Singer's Hampstead Home
Show from 1988. Introduced by Billy Connolly, who obviously was a fan as he knows enough about them to dispute the 'MOR' tag (and I agree with him, MOR doesn't cover the folk, new wave and noise influences they clearly had).
Cathal seems really pissed off for this show. I would guess it was one of those business decisions they were forced to make under the Virgin contract.

[@MrLoftholdingswood]

It was their final concert as they shortly split soon after. The man cheering loudly (amongst the boos!) at the end of Singer's Hampstead Home is me, all those years ago. Don't think the audience quite understood the angst and anger. If I recall correctly David Bowie was headlining, but I left after seeing Microdisney! Thanks for putting this up and bringing back the memories. They were then (and still are in my mind) a superb band that were denied true acclaim. And note the lyrics on Singer's Hampstead Home all you Boy George fans. Ouch! The reign of the vain indeed.

[@StringBeanJen]

Yeah, I hear those changed lyrics on this performance. Whoah, the spitting anger.

[@arianrhodhyde7482]

According to the Microdisney oral history it was in fact a benefit concert for the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Sean O'Hagan, as quoted in that oral history: "That was the day we split, that was the moment we finish. That’s a band in nervous breakdown filmed on TV, that’s exactly what happens."

[@LaurelCanyon1969]

Of all the bands that should have been huge, they should have been huge.

[@radiofc]

They were sensational last night in Dublin at the National Concert Hall.. if you're near London next weekend don't miss their show..

[@lolsugar7408]

Hi Mike,
That was brilliant. Really loved that as they were one of the most underated bands of the 80s. Saw them twice (I think?) definitely at The Fridge in Brixton perhaps the T&C Kentish Town. Always staggering live. Shame this Amnesty clip is later period. The Clock Comes Down The Stairs was their high point. Though all their stuff had it moments. Love the mix of Sean O'Hagans MOR cool and the manic delivery of Cathal Coughlan.

[@StringBeanJen]

Oh wow, I work next to the Fridge (now Electric Brixton of course). Imagine them there...

[@KarlHamilton]

Powerful

[@sarahbarlow2690]

Thank you for this xx

[@wmperry2790]

man, i love "gale force wind" = anthemic loathing. jolly sing a long about about intolerable harm. Personally, i love the last record- the "MOR about..." explanation was spot on. CAthal's last "rancho Tetrahedron" is a real pleasure-lots of songs and fewer "oratorios" if you know what i mean

[@vcc947]

What's the origin of this footage? Was it broadcast on TV?

[@StringBeanJen]

Wow, this was quite uncomfortable viewing. Whether or not this was their last show before their split, you can see a band operating completely separately and a frontperson self-destructing. I understand Cathal performed with such a ferocity and anger in the 80s but it's clear he was not in the most "fabulous state of mind" here (a phrase I've seen in interviews with him), smacking himself repeatedly in the face/head, almost entirely screaming rather than singing and looking like he wants to hurl himself over the stage and straight into the genteel audience. 'Gale Force Wind' was a perfect song to play here, it seems.