Soundtrack to your studies - 1983

The Orientation listing in Craccum for 1983 has a striking image of the Topp Twins who were booked to play the Uni Face alongside The Neighbours. There was also a gig at Mainstreet by The Legionnaires ($2 with an orientation card) and while on campus there was a performance by all-female group, Freudian Slips.

There were also some hints of the future on the line-up. Kim Willoughby appeared in her early group The Gurlz and students got a taste of that latest in digital music courtesy of The Body Electric (group member Alan Jannson later produced the music for OMC’s smash ‘How Bizarre’).

Sweetwaters music festival had become an institution by this stage, headlined this year by UB40 and Psychedelic Furs. Back in Auckland, David Bowie returned to play Western Springs. The concert was the biggest event ever held at the venue with over 74,480 ticket holders and at least another 10,000 people who jumped the fence. His Let’s Dance album also had the highest sales in New Zealand that year.

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.