Stars' Humble Beginnings: From Dive Bars to Stadiums

Even the most celebrated musicians have humble beginnings, often playing small venues before they found fame. This collection gathers firsthand accounts of seeing now-massive artists in their early days. Readers and music writers share memories of performances by bands like Pulp in Halifax in 1991, Haim at London's Shacklewell Arms in 2012, and Giggs at Victoria Park's Underage festival in 2010.

David Bowie's early career included a peculiar mime act in 1969, while Coldplay played to a mere 15-20 people at Bedford Esquires before their hit "Yellow" broke. Nirvana's second British show in Leeds in 1989 was initially misjudged by a student reviewer. Oasis performed a short, powerful set at a Liverpool indie night months before being signed.

Further recollections include The Police at a 1978 students' union bar, Playboi Carti's incongruous set at a 2016 birthday party, and Twenty One Pilots' impactful 2013 basement show in Arizona. James Blunt played to just twenty-two people in a Munich dive bar in 2005, and The Killers' first NME review noted their potential before they became widely known.

These accounts paint a vivid picture of the music industry's evolution, showcasing the journey from intimate, often unpromising, early performances to global stardom. They highlight the raw talent and determination that paved the way for these artists' enduring success.