Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (Live in Athens 1987) HD

In October 1987, after many months on the road, it was in the elevated surroundings of the hillside open-air theatre at Lycabettus overlooking Athens, that the "So" tour came to a climactic close.

The three nights were filmed in what was the first-ever Peter Gabriel concert to be committed to film.

As a concert film, it was brilliantly shot and has now been equally brilliantly remastered, a crystal-clear record of Gabriel and band in their mid-80s pomp. The viewer is placed right in the heart of the action all the way, from the band's synchronised choreography on opening number "This Is The Picture", right through to the skin-pricking closer "Biko". In between, we're lost in music, spellbound by the spectacle, totally absorbed by the imperfection-free tightness of a band that's been on the road for so long.

The performance footage shot by Michael Chapman has been dusted off for a second coming, with more than 150 reels of the original 35mm negatives painstakingly restored, digitised and remixed in 5.1 surround sound. Now available on DVD, the result goes by the name of Live In Athens 1987.

Live in Athens tracklisting:
This Is The Picture
San Jacinto
Shock The Monkey
Family Snapshot
Intruder
Games Without Frontiers
No Self Control
Mercy Street
The Family And The Fishing Net
Don't Give Up
Solsbury Hill
Lay Your Hands On Me
Sledgehammer
Here Comes The Flood
In Your Eyes
Biko
Quiet And Alone

[andrew]

Peter made sure that if you didn't know what the song was about, you'd fully understand after this performance

[jazzlover]

You cannot call youself and bass player and not study this song. One of the tightest grooves out there.

[tiaanengelbrecht]

Peter is in top form in this, but MAN Tony Levin is just at absolute chad status here. The groove, the attitude, the vibe is just immaculate

[SusanValley-yjvh]

Peter Gabriel was ALWAYS so odd. How could you not love it.

[ryleytrottier]

Clearly the band Genesis have blessed us with two of the greatest songwriters and artists of all time: Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins! ❤

[Sarah.Riedel]

I will never in my entire life be as cool as that guitarist and bass player

[twinhueyman]

We as a species did not deserve the 80s. It was a gift from the universe.

[Kellyd]

1:11 From now on I enter a Room like that

[mambocountach]

there is no way this is a live vocal track.

[jennyflan]

I saw him on this tour in Birmingham when I was a university student. Big fan but remember thinking he was a bit like an embarrassing dad dancing about. Now I look at it he looks like a gorgeous young man. The mysteries of time!

[TCNHC]

I was there on that night. 35 years later I'm watching this video and I can still feel the ecstatic atmosphere in the amphitheater of Lykavitos. And Peter and his band mates were in perfect form. Once in a lifetime expirience!

[Travelin_Man]

This song helped me quit smoking. Whenever I would get a nic fit I would just put this video on and it would be gone by the end. Plus the kicked the habit part really hit home. Thanks Peter!

[kinneyclausnitzer]

Yeah this song is deff one of a kind and the bass player and bass riffs are insane that guy is really amazing

[lisawilliams]

The 80’s were f*cking fabulous. That is all.

[TheMichaelBeck]

It was an amazing experience to grow up in the 80s and graduate high school in '86. We were spoiled by such incredible musicians.

[Yes-gzqs]

You can safely throw todays commercial music in the bin. This is amazing and Mr Levin on bass is bad ass. The whole band is incredible 🤯

[BrightKelly]

No one who has seen him live is in ANY doubt that this song is beautiful filth.

[thhelleberg]

The bass went out for a smoke after this performance.

[zvucnjak]

Wow, Tony Levin *and* Manu Katché? What a combo!!

[ZtlaMusic]

the energy in this version, especially at the end is unreal!