Sort it Out Tour to Ireland, France, Holland, Belgium
13-24 October 1978

updated Oct 2020 - added poster
Updated 22 January 2022 - added tic with signed hotel letterhead
updated April 2024 added lots more photos





Audio 1

'Brussels Louts' -
upgraded - Sound 2.5 - 50min - 2gen - 17 tracks

I Fought the Law




Sound quality

Some tapes have this labeled the 30th. The recording (Joe) I.D.'s the venue as Brussels but Johnny Greens book A Riot of Our Own (p109) suggests the Begium date of the 22nd was Leuven just outside Brussels. Around 1500 people at the gig. Great photos here from Philippe Carly

This recording captures another powerful and pumped up performance. The sound has a reasonable range, distinguishing the drums, lead guitar and vocals clearly but the bass is buried somewhat.

A little flat though not dull this is a nice audience recording though it sounds to be in mono. Lead guitar comes through particularly powerfully and captures Mick’s powerful lead work throughout. Vocals though are OK but somewhat distant. There is some audience chat but it’s never particularly intrusive.





Short Euro Tour

This very good audience recording comes from the mini tour of France, Holland and Belgium immediately prior to Bernie Rhodes sacking. Johnny Green includes dates on this tour as some of the best he witnessed. This first generation recording certainly captures much of the controlled power of The Clash at this time.

There is some doubt as to the correct date and even venue for this recording. Return of the Last Gang in town states Bernie was sacked on October 21st on their return from Belgium. Johnny Green’s book has the band returning by plane just in time to play the rescheduled Harlesden Roxy gigs on the 25 & 26th October, which would fit this date.

As to the venue Joe certainly name checks Brussels and the band would have been likely to have played a date in the Belgium capital and the Ancienne Belgique would have been a likely venue. It has a 2,500 capacity, much of which is standing and its still in use to day as a very popular venue. However we do know from Johnny’s book that the band played a gig in Leuven, outside Brussels and Joe at least appears to sing Leuven ‘s Burning.





Poster





Hotel, signatures





Brussels - Ancienne Belgique

The Ancienne Belgique has a long and storied history dating back to the 15th century, when the site housed the house of the retailers guild, the Meerslieden. Over the centuries, the complex evolved into a multi-purpose facility, serving as a reinforced bank vault, nursing home, meeting place, and banqueting hall. [4]

In the early 20th century, the venue underwent a transformation, becoming known as the "Vieux Düsseldorf" from 1906 to 1913, with a German-style interior. [4] Today, the Ancienne Belgique is one of the leading contemporary music venues in Belgium, consisting of three concert halls - the Main Hall with a capacity of 2,000, the more intimate ABBox seating 800, and the smaller ABClub for up-and-coming acts. [1] The Main Hall is renowned for its excellent acoustics. [1]

Over the decades, the Ancienne Belgique has hosted numerous iconic performances, from Jacques Brel in 1955 to Oasis, Iggy Pop, and many other renowned international and local acts. [1][2] The venue attracts over 300,000 attendees annually, cementing its status as a premier destination for contemporary music in Belgium. [1][5]

  1. Wikipedia - Ancienne Belgique

  2. Visit Brussels - Ancienne Belgique

  3. Live the World - Ancienne Belgique

  4. Europe Jazz Network - Ancienne Belgique (AB)

  5. Curieuzenair Brussels - Ancienne Belgique





A very enthusiastic audience

The recording starts with an excellent Complete Control nearing the end of its role as set opener. Mick unusually plays a few extra notes on the intro. There’s a great response from the audience and The Clash blast straight into Tommy Gun. Joe does not address the audience until Whiteman, when he says, “We’re told people in Brussels don’t move”.

There are no weak performances but Police & Thieves and Capital Radio are particular highlights with both songs being stretched and extended. There is an edit after Guns On The Roof, which probably loses Stay Free.

There is an abrupt edit at the end of an excellent Garageland and restarts with the 3 song encore with Joe saying, “I can tell you really don’t wanna hear no more..that’s Ok, we’re kind of keen on it anyway”. This reflects more the known renewed camaraderie between the band at this time, united in the decision to sack Bernie than the response from the audience, which is very enthusiastic throughout.





Punk in Belgium, 1976-78

2 December 2015

In the first half of 1976, the then new rock music magazine More! put Patti Smith on the cover of its March issue and dedicated a page and a half in the June issue to her legendary concert in May... ArchiveDF






En attendant Magazine, Clash City Rockers

French
Belgium Magazine - n°11





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Photo Anciene Belgigue

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The Clash at the Anciene Belgigue October 1978

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Extensive archive of articles, magazines and other from the Sort it Out Tour October- December 1978

Archive - Bernie-Rhodes-Split - Tour-dates - Posters-Adverts - Passes-tickets - Snippets - UK-Articles - US-Articles - International-Articles - Comments - Video and Audio

-





Setlist

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Complete Control
Tommy Gun
I Fought the Law
Jail Guitar Doors
Clash City Rockers
White Man
Drug Stabbing Time
Protex Blue
Guns on the Roof
Police and Thieves
Blitzkreig Bop
Capital Radio
Janie Jones
Garageland
English Civil War
Londons Burning
White Riot



Extensive archive of articles, magazines and other from the Sort it Out Tour October- December 1978

Archive

Bernie-Rhodes-Split

Tour-dates

Posters-Adverts

Passes-tickets

Snippets

UK-Articles

US-Articles

International-Articles

Comments

Video and Audio



There are several sights that provide setlists but most mirror www.blackmarketclash.co.uk. They are worth checking.

from Setlist FM (cannot be relied on)

from Songkick (cannot be relied on)
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& from the newer Concert Database and also Concert Archives

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SORT IT OUT TOUR Autumn 1978



ARTICLES, POSTERS, CLIPPINGS ...

A collection of
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Numerous articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates from The Sort it Out Tour Tour, October, November 1978



VIDEO AND AUDIO

Video and audio footage from the tour including radio interviews.



BOOKS

A Riot of Our Own
Johnny Green

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Return of the Last Gang in Town,
Marcus Gray

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Passion is a Fashion,
Pat Gilbert

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Redemption Song,
Chris Salewicz

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Joe Strummer and the legend of The Clash
Kris Needs

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The Clash (official)
by The Clash (Author), Mal Peachey

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