David Bowie performed at the Civic Centre in Ottawa, Canada, on 2 May 1978, as part of the Isolar II Tour.
It was the 25th 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.
Next day we flew to Ottawa. I don’t remember too much about the place. We played the Civic Centre which reminded me of a large gym, though it held 10,000 people.
Sean Mayes
Life On Tour With Bowie
Life On Tour With Bowie
Bowie had previously performed at the Civic Centre on 15 June 1974 during the Diamond Dogs Tour. He returned for a final time on 6 July 1990 for the Sound+Vision Tour.
The setlist
- ‘Warszawa’
- “Heroes”
- ‘What In The World’
- ‘Be My Wife’
- ‘The Jean Genie’
- ‘Blackout’
- ‘Sense Of Doubt’
- ‘Speed Of Life’
- ‘Breaking Glass’
- ‘Beauty And The Beast’
- ‘Fame’
- ‘Five Years’
- ‘Soul Love’
- ‘Star’
- ‘Hang On To Yourself’
- ‘Ziggy Stardust’
- ‘Suffragette City’
- ‘Art Decade’
- ‘Alabama Song’
- ‘Station To Station’
- ‘Stay’
- ‘TVC 15’
- ‘Rebel Rebel’
Last updated: 16 October 2023
Also on this day...
- 1976: David Bowie arrives at Victoria Station, London
- 1973: Travel: Moscow to Paris
- 1967: Live: David Bowie and the Riot Squad, Bossard Hall, Leighton Buzzard
Want more? Visit the David Bowie history section.
I was there with a mate of mine, we only went because another mate turned up on the day with two extra tickets. Divine Providence, as it turned out. It was one of the best shows I ever attended. My mate and me stood on the floor, 20 feeet from the stage. Bowie was electrifying, his presence was amazing. The band were supernatural. I recall them all dressed in white, the stage was pretty bare, bright white lights mostly, moody coloured lights during the instrumentals. Station To Station and TVC15 stood out, they both just went on forever, bliss. A great great show.