Live: David Bowie and Hype, Regent Street Polytechnic, London

David Bowie and Hype performed at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London on 7 March 1970.

The support acts were Bridget St John and the Alan Skidmore Quintet. Bowie and Hype were paid £100 for their performance.

Bowie’s performance was marred by the volume of Mick Ronson’s guitar, which threatened to overwhelm both band and audience.

David Bowie, in ten-league boots and groovy gear, presented his new backing group line-up Hype. He needs an expert on sound balance who should effectively solve the teething problems of the new line-up. David had much more confidence and stage presence with this backing group, and as his songs are suitable for grooving to as well as just listening to, the brightest hope could well change categories. The show was a disaster. The volume on Mick Ronson’s lead guitar was so high and not only did he block out David’s singing but also completely over-powered John Cambridge’s drums. The volume also cleared the seats in direct line with his speaker. That magic that makes for greatness is there but suppressed, sometimes hidden. If my ears ever recover I expect to see David plus Hype in a few months time… shining through.

The Regent Street Polytechnic was situated at 309 Regent Street, London. In the 1970s it combined with Holborn College of Law, Languages and Commerce to form the Polytechnic of Central London, which in 1992 was renamed the University of Westminster.

Bowie performed at the venue once again during the Ziggy Stardust Tour on 12 May 1972.