Situated next door to Aston Villa FC, the Leisure Centre played host to some incredible gigs in its time including Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Manic Street Preachers and Morrissey. Incredibly a gentleman by the name of Giovanni Maria Varese recorded the Dylan gig on April 2nd 1995 which I was at was a couple of friends. It remains one of my favourite gigs as to see Dylan up so close in a relatively small venue was amazing.
I’ll be posting up the videos from the gig regularly. To kick us off we have Highway 61 Revisited
BOB DYLAN – Highway 61 Revisited (April 2nd, 1995) from Giovanni Maria Varese on Vimeo.
DIid Hall and Oates ever appear at the Villa Leisure Centre?
Yes indeed they did: autumn 1989.
Regards,
Mick
Yes I was there too. Drove all the way from E. Yorkshire.
No sat navy back then.
Well worth it
Went to that H&O show. It was during their shiny digital production period and they were going back to basics live. Hammond organ and more acoustic instruments. Also saw The The with I think Johnny Marr on guitar.
It was Johnny Marr on guitar, still one of the best gigs I’ve seen. Sat on the front of the mixing desk, best view in the house!
Midnight Oil, a majestic evening of politics & rock. Bit of a barn of a venue, but a great night.
Hi I’m trying to find out who suported Thunder about 1995_1997 I think it was a band called skin can anyone confirm that plz
Top rave venue, notably ‘Time’ in 1990 and 1991. Sasha, Carl Cox, Fabio, Grooverider…the best DJ line up possible during that period.
Saw The Wonderstuff around 89/90 at AVLC and also INXS later with free tickets from BRMB. Awful venue though, sound was terrible.