Queen were the first global act to play a concert at Maine Road back in the summer of 1986, on what was to be their last tour with singer Freddie Mercury fronting the band.
It was the ‘Magic Tour’ and formed part of a four-date leg of the UK – first at St James Park, Newcastle on 9 July, Wembley Stadium on 11 and 12 July before Maine Road, Manchester on 16 July.
The gig was attended by 35,000 fans and their opening act, going on before them, was Status Quo as well as Belouis Some.
Quo smashed out the likes of ‘Whatever You Want’ and ‘Rockin all over the World’ in their setlist.
Four years later, live music returned to the venue with a host of high-profile artists performing at the Maine Road with Fleetwood Mac, the Rolling Stones, Prince and David Bowie all appearing over the summer of 1990, the latter supported by Manchester favourites James.
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Bowie was at Maine Road as part of his ‘Sound and Vision Tour’ and hit the stage on 7 August 1990.
He opened with ‘Space Oddity’ and performed a plethora of his greatest hits, including ‘Ashes to Ashes’, ‘Life on Mars’, ‘China Girl’ ‘Heroes’ and ‘The Jean Genie’.
Fleetwood Mac’s concert, meanwhile, formed part of their ‘Behind the Mask Tour’ and they performed on 25 August 1990, playing hit songs ‘The Chain’, ‘Dreams’, ‘Everywhere’, ‘Little Lies’, ‘Go Your Own Way’, ‘Songbird’ and ‘Don’t Stop’.
Scottish art rockers Simple Minds were the headline act in 1991 while Prince returned in 1992 as part of his ‘Diamond and Pearls Tour’.
In 1996, Maine Road hosted its final – and era-defining concerts – with Oasis holding sway over those two memorable Moss Side nights as part of their ‘What’s the Story Morning Glory Tour’.
Check out images of a host of Maine Road concerts below.
