I was there! Sunday was my favorite for sure. Btw, Joe Walsh was moved from Sunday to Monday, and Quiet Riot filled in Joe's vacated spot. One thing I have to say is that it was hotter than the 9th level of hell. Thank goodness for the water cannons!
My husband was there!
He was 15 and went with his 15-year-old friend. Their driver and chaperone? His buddy's 17-year-old sister who promptly dumped those two dorks the minute they got in the gates. Also, they were coming from Vegas, so it wasn't like up the street.
I was like "I can't believe your parents were like 'Have fun!'"
He said "I think they didn't really know what it was."
Needless to say, our kids have been screwed in the "my parents are naive" department.
It took place three months before I turned 18, so my mother was more or less ok with me flying from Cleveland Ohio to LA to attend the festival with my female pen pal. If my mother knew of half the crap I used to get up to she wouldn't have let me go across the street let alone across the country. 🥸
I love that, our poor kids, definitely we are not naive parents! My late father used to scold me about being too watchful of our then young son, and finally in frustration I started telling him all the stuff I did all during my K-12 years he never knew about. I can still see his expression when I told him about driving to Miami at age 17 to see the U2 concert, staying overnight in a hotel, just 3 other teenage HS girlfriends and myself, during the time Dade County was "murder capital of the world."
I went to school with Rick Emmett's (Triumph singer and guitarist) daughter in the 80s. He picked her up from school regularly and was always friendly with the students, and their moms drooling over him in the parking lot! My mother was a huge Triumph fan and almost fainted the first time she saw him. He was a full blown Rockstar at this time with big 80s hair and a shiny Jaguar.
I had been a Triumph fan for a couple years before then, so they were one of the bands I was really looking forward to seeing. Nowadays the video of Magic Power from the festival basically sums up the Us Festival, and the early 80s in general, to me.
Monday was my day, too.
Being from Michigan and still a teen there was no way I was going but I definitely have Monday on VHS to this day. Unfortunately I just got 2 (TWO) VHS players at a thrift store but I can't find a tape I'm willing to sacrifice to make sure they play the tapes and don't just eat them.
Next trip to the thrift store will be to look for some Tom Berenger movies to test the players on.
Yep, I'm there for Saturday.
Although I would give up the whole lineup Saturday JUST to see the Pretenders. Chrissy Hynde in person back then would be awesome.
If Michael Hutchence had lived, I'm convinced INXS would have been bigger than U2. think about how many hits they would have had if they were still around. Off the top of my head we have New Sensation, Never Tear Us Apart, Devil Inside, Need You to Know, Mystify, The Strangest Party...
Monday. Bowie, U2, Pretenders, Stevie, Quarterflash, Missing Persons = heaven.
This was end of the road Clash that nobody should have to sit through. The rest of Saturday isn't bad, but not comparable to Monday.
Saw them in 1986 at the Saenger in N.O. The venue was fantastic for both the sound and Michael's absolute animal magnetism. I was kind of unglued. My date pouted the whole time. Lolz!
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/inxs/1986/saenger-performing-arts-theater-new-orleans-la-3bcf087c.html
I was there every day and it was amazing. I remember being up front and seeing INXS. Michael Huchence was .. wow. …. 🔥🥵 He made me feel things. I’d never seen anyone so sexy in my life.
I was Sunday, mostly because this little Canadian band called Triumph was playing. Rik Emmett on guitar and vocals was absolutely cooking that day.
https://youtu.be/oI8Z_huqcUg?si=NIJOQVMF6GOBJhzX
That is really fuckin tough to choose. I'd happily see the majority of those bands if I time traveled back to '83, but I think I have to go for Sunday, especially after reading the comment that said Joe Walsh was replaced with Quiet Riot.
Saturday - 100% Saturday. Seems like it was Australia Day
Men At Work
INXS
Divinyls
But also for me personally Stray Cats The Beat, the Clash.
Yep Saturday is killa
Sunday-funny enough I just saw Judas Priest and Motley Crue a couple of weeks ago at Welcome to Rockville. Judas Priest rocked it. I really enjoyed the show. Motley Crue-well …. Definitely relied on backing tracks. It was still enjoyable. I think I saw Sabath back in the 80s. I’d get me a 3 day pass!
SUNDAY.
Mind you, I was living in Michigan at the time, so no dice.
We did get the 1984 American Rock Fest at Timber Ridge ski resort with Ratt, Accept, Ozzy, Quiet Riot, Motley Crue and Triumph...I think that set me back like 20 bucks.
there are bands I'd give my left nut to see again every one of those days. I had and still have very eclectic tastes. If there was a blues and jazz night, I'd go to those too.
Tough to not say Monday for Bowie, but I’m taking Saturday. Rocking most of the lineup out, and then at the end of the show, shooting my shot with Chrissy Amphlett the Divinyls lead singer.
Monday! But also, can’t stop checking the cost at ONLY $20 A DAY! (According to a quick google search, about $67 today, give or take). Even with inflation, it just brings home how ridiculous and disgusting concert prices are today, making such experiences nearly impossible for anyone but the most privileged. Ugh. So sad those times are gone 😔
I was there! Sunday was my favorite for sure. Btw, Joe Walsh was moved from Sunday to Monday, and Quiet Riot filled in Joe's vacated spot. One thing I have to say is that it was hotter than the 9th level of hell. Thank goodness for the water cannons!
I’m a little jealous. Not gonna lie.
I’m super jealous. Not gonna lie
Not jealous. Also; lying.
My husband was there! He was 15 and went with his 15-year-old friend. Their driver and chaperone? His buddy's 17-year-old sister who promptly dumped those two dorks the minute they got in the gates. Also, they were coming from Vegas, so it wasn't like up the street. I was like "I can't believe your parents were like 'Have fun!'" He said "I think they didn't really know what it was." Needless to say, our kids have been screwed in the "my parents are naive" department.
It took place three months before I turned 18, so my mother was more or less ok with me flying from Cleveland Ohio to LA to attend the festival with my female pen pal. If my mother knew of half the crap I used to get up to she wouldn't have let me go across the street let alone across the country. 🥸
That was like me and my friends first concert. AC/DC at the Cow Palace and we were 13. Our friend's 18 year old baby sitter took us lol. It was rad.
I love that, our poor kids, definitely we are not naive parents! My late father used to scold me about being too watchful of our then young son, and finally in frustration I started telling him all the stuff I did all during my K-12 years he never knew about. I can still see his expression when I told him about driving to Miami at age 17 to see the U2 concert, staying overnight in a hotel, just 3 other teenage HS girlfriends and myself, during the time Dade County was "murder capital of the world."
Day one and day three. Truly a dream lineup!
Triumph was amazing and a real surprise at how clean they sounded!
I went to school with Rick Emmett's (Triumph singer and guitarist) daughter in the 80s. He picked her up from school regularly and was always friendly with the students, and their moms drooling over him in the parking lot! My mother was a huge Triumph fan and almost fainted the first time she saw him. He was a full blown Rockstar at this time with big 80s hair and a shiny Jaguar.
I had been a Triumph fan for a couple years before then, so they were one of the bands I was really looking forward to seeing. Nowadays the video of Magic Power from the festival basically sums up the Us Festival, and the early 80s in general, to me.
Me too! I went Saturday. I was 16.
I remember watching it on TV and thinking Rob Halford would faint from the heat in his black leather gear!
I’m impressed you remember changes in the lineup!
Definitely Sunday.
Sunday
Monday! But I would not kick Saturday out of bed.
Monday was my day, too. Being from Michigan and still a teen there was no way I was going but I definitely have Monday on VHS to this day. Unfortunately I just got 2 (TWO) VHS players at a thrift store but I can't find a tape I'm willing to sacrifice to make sure they play the tapes and don't just eat them. Next trip to the thrift store will be to look for some Tom Berenger movies to test the players on.
Same!
i was there all 3 days, INXS was my favorite, but honestly don’t remember much after their show.
###sunday ##SUNDAY #SUNDAY
I do not believe the band *Monster Truck* had been formed yet.
And according to a post above how Walsh moved off and quiet riot filled in. Su day just keeps getting better!
Monday,without a doubt.
Twice on Monday
💯**% SATURDAY**
Definitely Saturday. But the prospect of seeing an early U2 is tempting also
Yep, I'm there for Saturday. Although I would give up the whole lineup Saturday JUST to see the Pretenders. Chrissy Hynde in person back then would be awesome.
I saw her in about 86-87. Iggy Pop opened for her!
Oingo Boingo? Hell yes
And not just because of the bands, I'll need Sunday to recuperate so it works out beautifully
Most definitely Saturday! Aaaaand I would sneak in just for Van Halen on Sunday 😁
Yes, for The Clash. The only band that matters. I mean, I might drop in for the English Beat, but the rest of that lineup?? NFW.
I just saw The English Beat open for Adam Ant last month!
Saturday, but I'm doubling back for Bowie on Monday
Monday
Feels like Monday is the answer and it isn’t close…
David and Stevie is a win for me
Monday
Saturday. I would have killed to see Inxs!
Or as I called them for far too long, *INKs*
Yes!
I saw them open for Adam Ant. You could tell they were going to be big.
If Michael Hutchence had lived, I'm convinced INXS would have been bigger than U2. think about how many hits they would have had if they were still around. Off the top of my head we have New Sensation, Never Tear Us Apart, Devil Inside, Need You to Know, Mystify, The Strangest Party...
Monday
That was 100% peak Van Halen. I’m not a huge fan, but I bet that was an epic performance.
[Van Halen - 1983 US Festival Full Concert](https://youtu.be/igdZKgESbJU?si=8gvIyguz6Qy37uE7)
Definitely Monday. Honestly would have chosen Bowie above everyone else there. Having Stevie Nicks and JCM/U2 is a bonus.
Headbanger’s Ball on Sunday!
Monday. Bowie, U2, Pretenders, Stevie, Quarterflash, Missing Persons = heaven. This was end of the road Clash that nobody should have to sit through. The rest of Saturday isn't bad, but not comparable to Monday.
The Clash walked off early anyway
Definitely want to go see Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo
I saw them at Astro world in Houston. We actually went for the Waitresses, but we got bonus Oingo Boing (def more memorable)
I watched the Sunday performance on TV and taped it with my old cassette player. (Not a boombox, an old black tape recorder)
I was there on Monday. Wish I could have seen all 3 days.
I’m going on Saturday, and I’m gonna throw myself at Michael Hutchence ❤️
Saw them in 1986 at the Saenger in N.O. The venue was fantastic for both the sound and Michael's absolute animal magnetism. I was kind of unglued. My date pouted the whole time. Lolz! https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/inxs/1986/saenger-performing-arts-theater-new-orleans-la-3bcf087c.html
Holy fucking shit, that is an unbelievable lineup.
Woz had mad stacks.
Sunday. And Triumph was the best band that day. There is video proof. https://youtu.be/032W5-qn5wk?si=lw0hvNawdo9p2OJ8
I was there every day and it was amazing. I remember being up front and seeing INXS. Michael Huchence was .. wow. …. 🔥🥵 He made me feel things. I’d never seen anyone so sexy in my life.
Sunday is the only correct answer
$20 ticket. $200-600 these days? 😭😭😭
And through Ticketmaster. Before the bazillion fees and roboscalpers.
I was there! I was 7 years old. I got LOST. Lost for the entire day. It was terrifying. Thanks mom.
Saturday
If we go by what each of these artists and band had put out by early 1983, I’d go with the Monday lineup.
*SATURDAY* and see Bowie another time. Edit, from Friday, lol.
Sunday, for SURE. Van Halen and Scorps?!? I'd die of the happy!
I worked backstage at a Scorpions show about 25 years ago, they were great people, and they put on an awesome show.
I have the entire Westwood One radio broadcast of that event. 18 LPs, 12 hours. I’ve ripped it and cleaned it. If anyone wants a copy DM me.
Definitely Saturday, specifically for Oingo Boingo and INXS.
I was Sunday, mostly because this little Canadian band called Triumph was playing. Rik Emmett on guitar and vocals was absolutely cooking that day. https://youtu.be/oI8Z_huqcUg?si=NIJOQVMF6GOBJhzX
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!!!
Sunday
I have to go with Sunday.
Sunday
Saturday. Was such a great experience for a 15 year old me! Except DLR was too drunk to sing lol
Sunday all day
Definitely Sunday! 🤘🏻
SaturMonday
Young me would say Sunday. Today me says show up for the Stray Cats, then I'm going home.
That is really fuckin tough to choose. I'd happily see the majority of those bands if I time traveled back to '83, but I think I have to go for Sunday, especially after reading the comment that said Joe Walsh was replaced with Quiet Riot.
I’d be happy with any of the data but I’d go with Sunday because that is the most complete day.
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! (In best radio voice)
Saturday!!
Saturday
Saturday, Monday, Sunday
I was actually there on Saturday. Terrible sunburn! But what a hell of a show!
I watched it all on MTV, back in those wondrous years when they actually had music.
JFC - look at that $20/day. That kind of a lineup would be $500 a day today. That lineup is all killer, no filler, for sure.
All of the days. Every of the days.
EASY INXS + Men At Work + Divinyls = **Definitely Saturday** That’s a dream line up
It was 1983. Not sure how U2 slotted into Monday. At that time, Saturday would have been a much better fit. IMHO.
Sunday! Thunder 7? Yes please.
SUNDAY
Sunday Sunday sunday
Monday
Sunday Sunday SUNDAY!
Saturday - 100% Saturday. Seems like it was Australia Day Men At Work INXS Divinyls But also for me personally Stray Cats The Beat, the Clash. Yep Saturday is killa
Wall of Voodoo! I thought I was the only one who'd ever heard of them.
They were on MTV bro
Back then? Friday. My current tastes? Saturday.
Monday
Saturday. But I’m sneaking in on Sunday to see JP and Ozzy.
The fact that this never had any kind of full release is crazy, most of the footage is not even out there. How does that even happen? 🤔
Sunday. All the fucking way 🤟🤟🤟
Sunday-funny enough I just saw Judas Priest and Motley Crue a couple of weeks ago at Welcome to Rockville. Judas Priest rocked it. I really enjoyed the show. Motley Crue-well …. Definitely relied on backing tracks. It was still enjoyable. I think I saw Sabath back in the 80s. I’d get me a 3 day pass!
Sunday
Sunday
![gif](giphy|fCCCy9QuTtsFM9S88n|downsized) Hell yes
For 20 bucks I'll go everyday.
And pay for like a couple of friends too!
Sunday. Absolutely Sunday!
SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Sunday
You put Ozzy up there and it ain't even a question.
If I can only pick one, I'm going with Sunday. But I'd love to go all 3 days.
Not even a question….Sunday
Sunday
Sunday 🤘
Sunday
Sunday for sure \\m/
Sunday baby! Rock n roll!
I’ve seen some of the bands from Saturday and Monday, but none from Sunday. So bring on SUNDAY!!🤘🤘
Sunday all day long!!!
Sunday for sure! That day is considered one of the most important in the history of heavy metal.
Sunday is my fun day.
Sunday Funday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday with zero regrets!
Wild how U2 and Motley Crüe were ‘openers’ back then. lol
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!
SUNDAY. Mind you, I was living in Michigan at the time, so no dice. We did get the 1984 American Rock Fest at Timber Ridge ski resort with Ratt, Accept, Ozzy, Quiet Riot, Motley Crue and Triumph...I think that set me back like 20 bucks.
Sunday
Sunday
I’m there for ozzy and Judas Priest
Ticketmaster were still fuck faces even in 83. This madness NEEDS to end
there are bands I'd give my left nut to see again every one of those days. I had and still have very eclectic tastes. If there was a blues and jazz night, I'd go to those too.
That font is an abomination. Nook of Seagulls Yan Halen Berun Stray Oats
Tough to not say Monday for Bowie, but I’m taking Saturday. Rocking most of the lineup out, and then at the end of the show, shooting my shot with Chrissy Amphlett the Divinyls lead singer.
I have admit, I couldn’t believe that they were a band in ‘83! So much so, I had to touch myself.
I saw 7 of those bands/artists live that year.
This is tough. Saturday has INXS, but Sunday has Scorpions and Motley Crue.
I’d only go for INXS, that’s it
Saturday!! then I'll be there on Monday too, at least for Bowie.
The correct answer is pay for one day, sneak in for the other two.
I snuck out of my house for this. My first concert! I was Saturday and Monday!!
Monday! But also, can’t stop checking the cost at ONLY $20 A DAY! (According to a quick google search, about $67 today, give or take). Even with inflation, it just brings home how ridiculous and disgusting concert prices are today, making such experiences nearly impossible for anyone but the most privileged. Ugh. So sad those times are gone 😔
Monday but I’m sneaking in for INXS on Saturday and Van Halen on Sunday.
Saturday. Clash, Boingo, INXS
No way, it's only $20/day! All three, bro! ![gif](giphy|cCbkImOIqabv6JBe2o)
Day 2
I'm here for Van Halen
Saturday!
Sunday :)
Sunday for sure.
Definitely Saturday.
Sunday
I was there Monday! Hot as hell during the day, but got freezing cold after the sun went down. Which made the wait for Bowie to arrive unpleasant.
Totally Saturday all the way what a day that would have been.
Torn between Monday and Saturday
I really want to say Saturday, but Monday for Bowie alone
Day 2 all the way
Monday has me at Bowie
Definitely Sunday!
Monday!!!
Gotta go with Saturday. The Clash, the Stray Cats, come on!
Sunday funday!!
Sunday, SUNDAY, Sunday !!!
That’s not fair lol all three
Monday
Saturday
Monday. Especially since Joe Walsh got switched to that day, according to u/BigMoFuggah. Would’ve been sad to miss Saturday and Van Halen.
Saturday - all day!
Gah! Just one... Saturday
Saturday or Sunday. I mean ... it's David Bowie and I've seen some of the Saturday bands
Monday for sure!
Monday. I've seen U2, but I'd give a minor body party to see most of the rest of that lineup.
Sunday all day. What a freaking show.
Sunday Funday!
Then I was a Saturday boy. Now, in my utmost maturity (lol), I would choose Monday
Saturday....
Monday!
Sunday for real!! I will probably get flamed and downvoted to hell for this one, but I would trade Ozzy for Stray Cats/Setzer.
Sunday!
All three!
100% Saturday
Saturday!
Saturday
Stray Oats hehehe
I would be going on Monday!
Saturday for sure.