The Tube

The Tube was a Britsh music television programme, which ran for five series, from 05 November 1982 to 26 April 1987. The show went out live once a week on Fridays from the Tyne Tees Television studios in Newcastle on Channel 4 in the UK.

The Tube's hosts included Jools Holland, Paula Yates, Leslie Ash and Muriel Gray plus newcomers.

The show was one of the first to be launched on the new British TV Channel and its lively format was considered to be a reaction to BBC shows such as Top of the Pops and Old Grey Whistle Test which had grown rather stale and had failed to keep up with the changing times (as a consequence both shows were later revamped).

The show fell into disgrace somewhat in January 1987 when presenter Jools Holland used an obscene expletive during a trailer for the programme during children's prime-time television, resulting in it being taken off the air for three weeks.

Notable live performances
As well as features, interviews and video presentations, each show featured one or two live acts from the contemporary music scene, who would usually perform two songs each live in the studio. Memorable (and documented) performances are listed here with performance/transmission dates where known (links to videos in brackets).

Series 1

 * 05 November 1982: Heaven 17, The Jam.
 * 12 November 1982: Strange Days, Yazoo
 * 19 November 1982: Scritti Politti, Haircut 100
 * 26 November 1982: A Flock of Seagulls, Simple Minds, Robert Palmer
 * 03 December 1982: Dexys Midnight Runners, Gregory Isaacs
 * 10 December 1982: Wall of Voodoo, Soft Cell
 * 17 December 1982: Iggy Pop, Twisted Sister, Tygers Of Pan Tang
 * 24 December 1982: Imagination, Alison Moyet (Alf), Sylvie And The Saphires, Depeche Mode
 * 31 December 1982: Blancmange, Gary Glitter
 * 07 January 1983: Queen at Milton Keynes (live and interview clips), Elkie Brooks live at Knebworth
 * 14 January 1983: filmed live performances.
 * 21 January 1983:
 * 28 January 1983:
 * 04 February 1983: Madness (?), Paul Young, Aztec Camera.
 * 11 February 1983: Belle Stars, Fun Boy Three
 * 18 February 1983: Madness, Icehouse
 * 25 February 1983: Visage - live at Camden Palace, Eurythmics - live in Newcastle
 * 04 March 1983: Fatal Charm, Kajagoogoo
 * 11 March 1983: Nick Heyward, Freur
 * 18 March 1983: U2, Undertones

Series 2
tbc