Live: Ekeberghallen, Oslo

David Bowie performed at the Ekeberghallen in Oslo, Norway, on 5 June 1978, as part of the Isolar II Tour.

It was the 47th date of the tour, which began on 29 March in San Diego.

Bowie’s guitarists were Carlos Alomar and Adrian Belew. Simon House was on electric violin, Sean Mayes played piano, and Roger Powell was on keyboards and synthesizers. George Murray played bass guitar and Dennis Davis was on drums.

The gig was in a country area, a long sports hall with a curved roof like an aircraft hanger. When we went on-stage, I was amused to see a rash of white-topped sailor caps like the one David wore for an encore. I was surprised people had caught on so fast – then I realised these were all security guys!

I made a few notes later.

Oslo and other shows. People who try to get D’s attention for a moment – not to communicate anything but to occupy a brief moment of the Divine Consciousness. I’m amused at the way people suddenly take a photo when they realise he’s doing ‘Jean Genie’ (say) – they want to feel, This is a photo of David actually singing ‘Jean Genie’!

People who grab each other as they notice something special – when he drops to one knee or kicks a leg out, crosses his hands like a bird’s wings. All his movements are extraordinarily beautiful and none seem without meaning.

David fielding flowers, balloons, etc and getting much applause.

Guy clambers over barrier – David goes forward instinctively to grab his collar so he won’t fall.

A guard picks up someone’s flowers which fell short of the stage and hands them back for a second try.

The setlist

• ‘Warszawa’
• “Heroes”
• ‘What In The World’
• ‘Be My Wife’
• ‘The Jean Genie’
• ‘Blackout’
• ‘Sense Of Doubt’
• ‘Speed Of Life’
• ‘Breaking Glass’
• ‘Fame’
• ‘Five Years’
• ‘Soul Love’
• ‘Star’
• ‘Hang On To Yourself’
• ‘Ziggy Stardust’
• ‘Suffragette City’
• ‘Art Decade’
• ‘Alabama Song’
• ‘Station To Station’
• ‘Stay’
• ‘Beauty And The Beast’
• ‘TVC 15’
• ‘Rebel Rebel’