Soundtrack to Your Studies - 1981
Campus sounds from the eighties.
The orientation programme in 1981 had performances by Harry Lyons’s Coup D'Etat, Broken Dolls, The Terls, The Hammond Gamble Band, The Furies, The Willie Dayson Blues Band, and The Bombers. However, the most memorable event was the Fancy Dress Ball which was headlined by post-punk Wellington band Penknife Glides.
Behind the scenes, there were fierce arguments between the student union and the council about whether the Rec Centre could be used for gigs and so all events were relegated to the Uni Cafe. Dave McArtney and The Pink Flamingos also did a gig there later in the year.
The biggest overseas gig of the year was Stevie Wonder’s first visit to New Zealand, which saw him headlining at Western Springs. Sweetwaters festival returned for a second year, bigger and better than before:
The biggest selling international album of the year was Making Movies by Dire Straits and the band headlined at Western Springs (returning to the same venue again in 1983).
Add to the playlist
What was on the turntable while you were on campus? Suggest songs to add to our 1980s playlist, and you could win $100 Flying Out voucher.