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updated 12 April 2011 - added punters comments
updated 24 Jan 2019 - added full review
updated June 2024 added tickets and several reviews

Audio 1

4th gen - Sound 3+ - 62min (incomplete) - Tracks 19

Quality, source

The only recording in circulation is an incomplete audience recording (4^th gen.) which loses the performance after Magnificent Seven through to start of Clampdown (approx. 6 songs). Some of this, or maybe the Toronto show from the following night may have been recorded for radio.

The above average recording suffers from distance and little range but there is little distortion, vocals are clearest with Mick’s guitar and bass weakest.

As there are much better sounding recordings from this leg of the tour this is one for those who were there and collectors.

The Clash following were packed in

With only a days break after the 3 nights at Pier 84 The Clash played 2 nights over the border in Canada; to 19,000 in Toronto but at a much more Clash friendly venue in Montreal.

The ice rink of the Verdun Auditorium provided a large standing area where the already well established Clash following were packed in. Evidence of the quality of the band/audience interaction is confirmed by the White Riot finale; although the song was much less of a rarity now on this leg of the tour.

A decent audience recording circulates which is incomplete losing a third approx of the show.  The band are in good form particularly Joe who adlibs aplenty, however, there are much better sounding recordings from this leg of the tour.   

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Tickets

Verdun Auditorium, Montreal

On Boulevard LaSalle in the district of Verdun the famous Auditorium was opened in 1939 and its main use has been as a hockey rink. Since its first Montreal shows in 1979 the band’s following had grown significantly in the Montreal area so the 4000 plus capacity and the ability to turn the rink into a seat less standing area made it an obvious choice for this leg of the tour.    

Built to provide work for the unemployed of Verdun in the Great Depression. The 1980s and 1990s marked a turning point in the life of the arena: with the hosting of concerts vying for prominence with ice hockey for prominence. But back in the 50’s Elvis was refused permission to perform for his corrupting influence on the young!

The Auditorium now has a big new competitor: The Bell Centre but a $26-million facelift is hoped will bring back its glory days.

“White Riot please!”

“Thank you and good evening and welcome to the Casbah Club here in ? Montreal, we want a fair fight, no dirty below the belt punches and may the best man win!” London Calling has a long extended instrumental opening (longer even than the repeated one to come on the Who dates) the band experimenting with their (almost) fixed set opener to keep it fresh. Know Your Rights sounds dull and distant; the sound does it no favours. 

Joe is in strong voice on a fine if unexceptional White Man in Hammersmith Palais. An energetic Rock The Casbah is followed by Guns of Brixton with an extended “dubwise” instrumental break. Mick belts out Stay Free; fine just much better sounding performances from this leg of the tour.

Joe adlibs over the ending of Car Jamming followed by Wrong Em Boyo. Magnificent Seven is a highlight; band sound in top form and Joe adlibs aplenty albeit curiously at times! At the end of the song an edit loses perhaps 6 songs restarting with Clampdown with some adlibs then I Fought The Law closes the main set.

Recording continues until first encore starts with Armagideon Time; Joe in strong voice name checking Bing Crosby! Should I Stay or Should I Go is followed by Janie Jones ending the first encore 

Straight To Hell as usual starts the second and final encore. Joe is in full cry on Brand New Cadillac but Mick’s guitar sounds atonal and weak. A stirring This Is Radio Clash is followed by Joe’s plea “White Riot please!”  a reward for the great audience response.

The Clash doesn't need gimmicks to get its angry message across

82 09 07 The Gazette Tue (Montr)

The Clash: a sellout

82 09 08 The Daily Herald Tribune Wed (Montr)

Clash has loyal fans in Quebec

82 09 08 The Leader Post Wed (Mont)

Clash has something to say to its listeners

82 09 10 Red Deer Advocate Fri (Mont)

Did you go? Comments, info welcome...

Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please email blackmarketclash

Best show I've seen next to the Ramones

I saw the show at the Verdun Auditorium in September 1982. Best show I've seen next to the Ramones.

The venue was a hockey rink (ice hockey for those who need a translation for what we mean in Canada), probably 10 rows of seats around the perimeter, and the ice surface area where most of us were. I remember dancing, sweating, and enjoying a fantastic show.

If I recall correctly it was all general admission. Warm up was a reggae group - I think Black Uhuru, but that could be wishful thinking.

Cheers Andy, From: Andrew Herbert < >

Setlist

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18	London Calling Know Your Rights White Man in Ham Palais Rock the Casbah Guns of Brixton Stay Free Car Jamming Wrong Em Boyo Magnificent 7 Clampdown I Fought the Law Armagideon time Should I Stay or Should I Go Janie Jones Straight to Hell Brand New Cadilac Radio Clash White Riot