In early 2024 my great friend Phil and I danced the night away at The Admiral Woods annual celebration of the late great David Bowie. DJ's played hits, album tracks and songs by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Marc Bolan and Mott the Hoople - peers and friends of Bowie. We left the night feeling elated by the music, community and atmosphere, vowing to return in 2025.
We both bagged (FREE) tickets for 11/01/25 as soon as the night was announced. Then, Dave Ross, owner of the bar and the organiser of the night, contacted me to ask if I would be up for doing the opening 45-minute slot. Ummmmmmmm - absolutely! I'd be playing with Dave, Gerry Lyons who I put on the Uddingston Indie Forever nights with and the lovely Robert and Hugh from Simply Thrilled.
I tend to go with the flow when I DJ, that is part of the fun after all, responding to the crowd, choosing what songs might get/keep people on the dancefloor, but in this case, I wanted to pretty much nail what I wanted to play to ensure I made the most of my 45-minutes.
Conscious that the hits should be saved for later in the night, I set about digging deep into Bowie's extensive discography to see what I could find.
A few choice album cuts immediately sprang to mind, a theme of space developed, I discovered some cool cover versions and remixes that I hadn't heard before and a set began to develop.
I Dig Everything was in and out of the set as I couldn't quite make it fit, then I decided it was super cool and would play it as the opening song to highlight the start of Bowie's career and the development of his sound.
Matthew Dear's sublime cover of Sound and Vision was my opening song until last minute, then I decided it would fit better mid set. Blue Jean was dropped, should I play the house mix of Fame from 1990 or leave it in case someone was playing it later? Would anyone mind if it was played twice anyway, as it is fab?!
Should I play Arcade Fire's Reflektor with Bowie guesting on backing vocals? Will I have time to play Speed of Life if I fade some songs out and others in?
Anyway, here is a playlist of the setlist I created.
NOTE - On the night I had to leave Hello Spaceboy out for Robert and Hugh to play later in the night (we have VERY similar taste), but it did mean that I could play Speed of Life instead and I also managed to squeeze in Blue Jean at the end. But I have left the playlist as I intended.
There was a wonderful friendly atmosphere in The Admiral Woods and it was tremendous to hear Bowie blasting out of the fantastic sound system in the pub. Absolute Beginners sounded sublime, while Starman had hands in the air and everyone singing let the children boogie ... and we did!
Next year will be the tenth anniversary of Bowie's passing. I would highly recommend getting tickets for this night. You'll meet a lovely community of music and Bowie fans, ensure you have a January night out, get a night in a cool bar and dance the night away.
Enjoy this playlist!
All songs performed by David Bowie unless stated;
45-minute set
Well you know what, this has been an incredible pleasure .. Bowie talking
I Dig Everything
Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere
V-2 Schneider
Dancing Out In Space
The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
A New Career in a New Town
Sound & Vision - Matthew Dear
I Took A Trip On A Gemini Spaceship
Hello Spaceboy (Moonage Daydream remix) - David Bowie and Pet Shop Boys
Golden Years - Yam Who?
Fame 90 - House Mix
Jump They Say
Queen Bitch
In reserve
Blue Jean
Speed of Life
