No artist has left a mark on the avant-pop world quite like Kate Bush. The English singer and artist started out in her career very young, writing her chart-topping, debut single "Wuthering Heights" at the ripe age of 19 in 1978.
The song still remains a favorite in 2020 as does her other hits like "The Man with the Child in His Eyes," "Running Up That Hill, " This Woman's Work," "King of the Mountain"... The list goes on because her innovative sounds were well ahead of their time and transcend genres, even in this day and age.
Bush has only done one legit concert tour throughout her 40+ year career - The Tour of Life in 1979. Today, April 2, marks the day when she kicked off the month-long tour in Europe with a warm up concert at Poole Arts Centre in Poole, England.
The tour was in support of her two studio first albums, both of which dropped in 1978 - The Kick Inside and Lionheart.
The 22 song setlist was divided between the two albums, opening every night with "Moving" and closing with an encore of "Wuthering Heights." She also included the first ever performances of songs "Egypt" and "Violin," which were later released on her third studio album, 1980's Never for Ever.
The performance was unlike any before, with each show featuring visual projections, multiple costume changes and incorporating miming, magic and poetry readings during the costume changes, aiding in the narrative storyline and making the concert feel more like theatrical production.
She also introduced new technology to the astonishment of fans and critics alike, being the first singer ever to use a wireless headset microphone so that she could dance while singing. She choreographed the show herself with Anthony Van Last and dancers Stewart Avon Arnold and Gary Hurst.
The show was divided into four sections and she did two encores every night. At her show in London, she covered "Let it Be" by the Beatles as the second encore with Peter Gabriel. This particular show, taking place on May 12th, also saw her performing other songs with Gabriel including: "D.I.Y.," "Here Comes the Flood," and "I Don't Remember."
Check out the setlist from the kickoff show below:
Bush never toured again, but she did do residencies in London, one in 1987 and the most recent one in 2014, titled "Before the Dawn."
Since Bush has always remained a prominent figure in music - influencing the likes of current artists like Weyes Blood and FKA Twigs - if she ever toured again, we would welcome her with open arms!
Watch an entire set from the tour right here:
