Bilge Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 The uni students' union don't seem to use the Octagon for gigs any more. So it seems to have drifted into the 'History' section despite only opening in 1983. This is a great shame in my view. First time I went was The Smiths in Jan 1984. Other good ones off the top of my head include Interpol, Charlatans, Billy Bragg, The Coral etc etc. Which ones do you remember? How about Nirvana 1991? It's a 1500 all standing venue and was run by the students' union. So it was miles better than the dreadful 02 (formerly Ro_y/Top Rank) with its terrible views and rip-off drinks. We still need a good size standing venue in the city centre for gigs. The Leadmill is great but is 900 max I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halibut Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 Saw the Arctic Monkeys there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikki-red Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 I think I only ever went to two gigs there, Interpol and INXS. I agree it’s a shame it’s not used anymore, it was a good venue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choogling Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 Only went once that was to see the "Silly Sisters" a folk act ,the concert was promoted by bob Hazelwood a bbc radio Sheffield presenter . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithy266 Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 The choir my wife sings with has a gig there each year....and is ususlly a sell-out...last one was only about 4 weeks ago....admittedly not quite your rock band type gig.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOOMOT Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 I remember going to see the Beautiful South when they hadn't been going very long and they were only on a short time, didn't play any Housemartins songs, they said they hadn't got many songs - there was a lot of booing and disgruntled customers who had paid £5 for the ticket.... have seen lots of groups there, Deacon Blue being one other, the Christians, can't remember which other ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philyyy Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 It seems to have been waking up again, very slowly, recently. I saw Katherine Ryan there a few months ago (comedy not music admittedly) and have seen a few other bands planning to go there. The website isn't that friendly but can't see anything exciting coming its way. I have seen Cypress Hill, Funkdoobiest, Lords of the Underground (one gig), Supergrass, Oasis, Rob Brydon (Comedy - when he was funny) and others that now escape me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
top4718 Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 The uni students' union don't seem to use the Octagon for gigs any more. So it seems to have drifted into the 'History' section despite only opening in 1983. This is a great shame in my view. First time I went was The Smiths in Jan 1984. Other good ones off the top of my head include Interpol, Charlatans, Billy Bragg, The Coral etc etc. Which ones do you remember? How about Nirvana 1991? It's a 1500 all standing venue and was run by the students' union. So it was miles better than the dreadful 02 (formerly Ro_y/Top Rank) with its terrible views and rip-off drinks. We still need a good size standing venue in the city centre for gigs. The Leadmill is great but is 900 max I think. I think I was at that Charlatans gig, they opened with The Only One I Know which was their big hit at the time. Other acts I remember seeing there: Jesus & Mary Chain Inspiral Carpets Ride All About Eve The Senseless Things Elbow Goldfrapp The Coral Robert Plant I'm sure theres more but I can't think of them at the minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olive Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 I think I was at that Charlatans gig, they opened with The Only One I Know which was their big hit at the time. Other acts I remember seeing there: Jesus & Mary Chain Inspiral Carpets Ride All About Eve The Senseless Things Elbow Goldfrapp The Coral Robert Plant I'm sure theres more but I can't think of them at the minute. Me too with regards to the Charlatans. Also saw that Ride gig. I was jammy enough to get on the guest list Nirvana in 91. That's definitely my highlight. Me and my housemates used to work on the ticket desk for events, in return for a free pass and 4 cans of cider each when we were students, so saw a few back then. Vic Reeves Big Night Out. Some of the better gigs were in the Lower Refectory though. Tori Amos, Blur and Radiohead before they were very famous. Bob Mould after he went solo. Bill Hicks. Feeling very nostalgic now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilge Posted April 21, 2018 Author Share Posted April 21, 2018 I remember most of the crowd would often stand nearest the side where the entrance/exit is. So the far side was often far less busy and I'd head round there for a better view. I think there was a bottle bar over that side later on? But I might have imagined that or confused it with Manchester (University) Academy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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