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.
Read more & buy: petergabriel.com/release/live-...
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

[@SusanValley-yj8vh]

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

[@dougmasters4561]

Brother so confident about it too, like 'no no, this is what cool looks like'

[@Debi-rd8mf]

🙄Odd? 🤔No. ♫♪ 🥰♫♪ MR. PETER GABRIEL is an Extremely Multi-Talented Unique ♫♪ Musical IndividuaL! ♫♪😍💝😘

[@albo3music]

@@Debi-rd8mf Nothing wrong with being odd x)

[@22RosesGrow]

​@@albo3music🎉

[@ryleytrottier5420]

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

[@jamesschaidt1096]

Yep. 🎼🔥😀

[@fantasticlooper]

Die meisten früheren Genesis Werke stammen nicht von Phil Collins, sondern von Banks und Rutherford.

[@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

[@nuracaicedo2632]

Peter Gabriel Phil Collins ♥️😜

[@jamesschaidt1096]

On point...this is incendiary. 🎼🔥

[@Desmondbrowne666]

It’s overdubbed

[@jamesschaidt1096]

@@Desmondbrowne666 So ? Only a handful of "live" Lps are actually "live". The Who live at Leeds is one that's the real deal.

[@gustavoleguizamon6270]

​@@jamesschaidt1096I've been watching this video for a couple of years and never notice that. Why I notice today?

[@jazzlover1423]

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

[@squidboii]

Yup

[@RENPEARLE]

Funky....

[@nebziened8132]

Agree!

[@Andrew-fs6wd]

Tony Levin fucking kills this song on every live version I've seen. They definitely bump him up on the live mixes vs. the studio version

[@I_am_Groot_0122]

This song so easily holds up through time! Agree with the TL bass tracks… thick and beautiful!

[@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!

[@Lukronius]

That is so funny! I’m just watching this thinking “he’s absolutely beautiful” the entire time. To think there were those thinking “what an old grandpa hobbling about the stage” back then is hilarious!!

[@lisawilliams2013]

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.

[@Oppenheimer1968]

agreed-"86 was the year!

[@TheMichaelBeck]

@@Oppenheimer1968 You know it! I turned 18 June 1st, graduated June 6th, and took my oath an left for basic and AIT at Ft Knox on June 16th. For the next 16 weeks, no music! When we had progressed enough to go to the PX and have a cheese burger on a Sunday for an hour or two, the burger place had a video jukebox. "Walk This Way!" & "Venus" over and over again. Banarama for obvious reasons. 😂 I absolutely loved basic and AIT. It's tough for some guys. It was like summer camp with weapons and TANKS! Who were your favorite bands? ✌

[@TheMichaelBeck]

@@Oppenheimer1968 And MTV & VH1 ACTUALLY played awesome music videos! Cheers!

[@TheMichaelBeck]

Best bass song of all time. Tony Levin is the man. Him, Pino Pallidino, Mark King, and Sting are my favs. We were blessed to have these guys on our radios when we were in HS back in the 80s.

[@grosenberg68]

Manu Katché killing it on drums. Awesome pocket

[@BrightKelly19]

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

[@Sarah.Riedel]

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

[@memphetic]

Look up Liquid Tension Experiment - Acid Rain. It's something newer featuring the same bassist.

[@superpotiron]

The guitarist looks so happy and nice

[@kinneyclausnitzer2791]

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

[@clanwaddell5628]

Tony Levin from King Crimson. Only bass player Gabriel will work with

[@SirPhilMcCrackinVonBeggington]

Tony has done much more impressive work than King Crimson... case in point Peter Gabriel.

[@ArtGuitarLTX]

kinney clausnitzer he also plays with Liquid Tension Experiment. A lot different than this but he still grooves and has amazing bass chops. 👍👍🤓🤓

[@crystalc1ear]

Levin

[@achaille9110]

And, what a snappy dresser, too. Nothing but ultra-coolness!

[@gregoroque]

that bass.. damn.. absolutely pivotal

[@ZtlaMusic]

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

[@Generationrhino]

The harry styles one...good guy all yea..but hes very flat

[@ga984]

Sound of bass guitar is ultimate!

[@stonewall3041]

Prerecorded. Dude is not playing that bass.

[@peterresetz1960]

@stonewall3041, The ignorant must shout it out to the World to what you are. You're either on psychedelic drugs, or your brain is just smooth. Tony Levin when on stage, in a live performance, actually plays his bass guitar. You're a hopeless fool if you believe that this is a pre-recorded performance. Although I do believe that you are not someone who plays a stringed instrument. And playing air guitar does not count.

[@mr_bassman6685]

@@stonewall3041 What? Why would a professional bassist like *Tony Levin* fake it on stage?

[@ricardolujan5571]

The power in this performance is awesome

[@Kellyd2024]

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

[@Daniel_R.B]

Mine is 3:48

[@MS-dz1di]

Mine is 4:24 when I enter the club after the f***ing corona pandemie is over

[@francespeto3305]

Too funny! It's 4am EST and I am laughing out loud! Good one guys🤣

[@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!

[@jenniferboucher8099]

@Yanni H.-Awesome! Lucky you!

[@spyridonvasileiou7931]

I was there too ... early October 1987. Thirty-five years+. Freshman at the Athens University of Economics. My first live concert ever and perhaps one of the best, if not THE BEST. Peter Gabriel and his team were out of this world. Amazing performance. Thank you!

[@joykunath4528]

Soo lucky. Wish I was there. Wat a song!

[@panosp72]

was there too! he was also filming some live, so we went for a second day for free.

[@trefwoordpunk2225]

A shame everything you're hearing here was recorded in the studio. Fake live.

[@andrew36345]

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

[@joethelion6016]

Yes, sheer joy for a young girl back then ..... 🥳

[@Myamirah]

Ohhhhhh !

[@Fragrantbeard]

I have never, ever really listened to the lyrics before and I'm cackling just watching him. Subtle!

[@chaddevlin8545]

ya, the meaning is about as subtle as a...sledgehammer.

[@claudioolate2516]

1:57 ah? 🤨🤨🤔🤔uh?.... Oh....😏😏

[@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!

[@pamelaadams6290]

lol

[@Travelin_Man]

@@pamelaadams6290 😂

[@bastardokid]

It worked for me too man, just instead of cigs it was Maryjane xd

[@liamliosmyth]

Hahahahahaah

[@khairulnazammansoor3498]

Follow it through with celibacy to really kick THE habit.

[@nuracaicedo2632]

I was 13 year's old in 1987... I love it till now I'm 48... Peter Gabriel 2023🌍♥️😜

[@Thinkforwardnow]

Me too! We had the goods all through our school years. The early 90s in high school had great music also. We graduated before it went to garbage.

[@zvucnjak]

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

[@georgebegbie6725]

Terrific band!!! :D

[@bigone6814]

What about the incredible David Rhodes whose guitar piece on Secret World puts a chill down my spine and a huge smile on my face, every time I hear it? Then there's David Sancious on keyboards who's.. I think you meant to say what an amazing group of musicians lead by one of the greatest since the 1970s. I will never tire from hearing any of their stuff.

[@secretbase7473]

World class musicians the lot of them.

[@josephreynolds1220]

Big bottom.

[@DavidMcbrady]

Music was so good back then

[@gregoryplat]

Great live. One of the best live shows I experienced.

[@brianpalmer2057]

It does not get any more awesome than 80s Peter Gabriel and Peter Gabriel no matter the decade

[@cindybrawner8159]

Peter was so cute here.

[@ellenknell3249]

Gabriel puts on the best concert performances then anyone I've seen.

[@janetgarces3506]

Prince was right up there.

[@kevinortiz602]

You should check up James Brown in his prime

[@bingowings65]

Good grief - how much talent can one person have!! Mind blown.

[@ryanhunter130]

Whenever I think of Peter Gabriel this is the visage that springs to mind first...this how he'll always be to me. In all his triumphant 80's glory :)

[@joethelion6016]

Not only a phenomenal musician, vocalist and songwriter but extraordinarily physically attractive too. Phwoaaaaar.

[@Lukronius]

He’s so pretty!!

[@reinodjanghardt8604]

Really? I always thought this song was sorta ironic considering I thought he looked kinda gross.

[@joethelion6016]

Gross? 😆 You must be a bloke, he's one of the best looking men of that era. Green eye 😉

[@thedessertrose1]

I was there too!!! All three nights!!! It was magical !!!!

[@steveclarkgreekfan]

ONE OF THE GREATEST PERFORMERS EVER!!!!

[@nuracaicedo2632]

Yes 🥰

[@danielseasons4410]

He’s not performing, it’s obvious he’s lip syncing

[@dannyh5937]

This man was so revolutionary

[@scottscott232]

Absolutely great to see keyboardist David Sancious - I first came across his amazing talents when he performed with Sting. He's a bloody excellent lead guitarist too. Super multi-talented Mr Sancious.

[@alexeyb8511]

Were very good concerts in the ' 80s, when we were all still so young. I want back in 1987!

[@mikebyrd8278]

Still puts on a great show 40 years later

[@Debi-rd8mf]

👁 envy his stamina! 🏆🥇BRAVO!

[@coryorcutt4528]

This is why I love YT still. Because no matter what, you can find old gems like this, that were a once in lifetime experience!

[@katherinesingleton5684]

One hell of a song!!!!! Still sounds the same today live. Mr. Gabriel is an incredible talent. 😌 The band is amazing. So great!!! Wow!

[@lindamears1194]

I first saw Peter Gabriel with Genesis when I was 13. They were brilliant. I have loved Peter ever since. Been lucky to have seen him live. The man is magnificent.

[@The_Cyberz]

He still sounds great, just saw a video of him performing this recently. Still does that goofy sledgehammer dance 😂

[@jeremypr]

I was 7 when this concert was going on.......my dad rocked Peter Gabriel all day everyday......gosh I wish I was there now at 43 yrs old.

[@Lukronius]

We’re the same age, mate. Totally feel you on this!

[@georgebegbie6725]

and the keyboardist... such mastery and beautiful syncopation... AND he looks like it's the best day of his life :D

[@funnylookingfoetus]

What I wouldn't give to travel back in time to see this concert live in person

[@nuracaicedo2632]

We kind of are we're on the internet

[@Desmondbrowne666]

It didn’t sound anything like this

[@patriciaroberts100]

Your presence on stage has changed over the years Peter.

[@lesblack8996]

Yes ..... for the better 😋

[@sirpoglington]

This is an absolutely stunning performance. The energy is unmatched, and get's my teen self in that mindset where "WOW! ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF YA ADD A LITTLE FUNK TO IT!" I love you so much, Peter Gabriel.

[@brendabrown1520]

😊✌️

[@aidanearl8968]

Definetly one of the greatest male vocalists of all time

[@toxicity0236]

@@greenlighttransport8320 I have no idea what made you think that lol but he is definitely not

[@uncle6300]

He obviously lip syncing

[@JakobKenda]

@@toxicity0236 how is he harmonizing with himself? where are the female backup singers? why is there no pop in the microphone? why does his voice sound the same at different distances from the microphone?

[@KillerVybz]

@@JakobKenda I think In the actual performance he isn’t but since this is the DVD re-release it’s been overdubbed so it sounds better and louder

[@petersonlafollette3521]

Reminds me of Steve Winwood- immediate drop into a deep powerful groove...

[@lydiaohearn568]

One of the best live performance videos I've ever seen, wow!

[@chrisweber7460]

I miss this magic from these music today. Peter was really hynpnotic this time, he had so much energy at live acts. He made incredible unconventional music against all mainstreams. I miss this time and i am happy to watch all these bands!

[@Draveniced]

Well what can I say, this is a masterpiece. PERIOD.

[@woodardkaleb7676]

Peter Gabriel : un genio ! Peter was so cute here.

[@CJTKRTHOME]

Who ever mixed this is AMAZING. The vocals are CLEAN AF.

[@Sicram]

I think the vocals have been recorded afterwards. They don't sync up at some points.

[@jamesrowden303]

The whole thing is a karaoke. Not impressed at all.

[@therealdoug1000]

Off one of the best albums of the 80's. Perhaps one of the best of all time.

[@millymolly696]

The video is so clear 👍

[@seantah7371]

Great to watch artists in their prime.

[@thhelleberg]

The bass went out for a smoke after this performance.

[@tjenadonn6158]

This song was secretly written from Tony's thumb to his Stingray.

[@nd5301]

забавно, что в русском языке есть точно такое же выражение.. У нас еще говорят "нервно курит в сторонке" ))

[@doctorhemp436]

Great Tournee 1987 from Peter, I saw him in Munich, it was one of my best 5 Concert, ever💯 And he makes a great show, I didn't saw before, in this time, with so much power 🤸‍♂️ and dynamite🧨😉

[@luislanza5477]

completely domination of the stage.

[@PJV1990]

Can't believe I'm going to see Peter Gabriel live in June! I cannot wait. Seeing Peter live was at the top of my dream concert list and now I finally get the opportunity to see the i/o tour! I was jumping around the room when I bought my ticket haha.

[@julienbee3467]

Where is the concert ?

[@bebem6175]

Lucky girl!

[@f.valguarnera1486]

Legendary bass part. Legendary performance.

[@fredfloyd34]

These boys are just simply ...brilliant...

[@bassplayer9432]

Iconic bassline!

[@ozmomine8029]

My dad was watching this tour in Helsinki and he still thinks that it was one of the best concerts he has ever seen!

[@sweetdreamscr]

He is so weird, I love him 😊

[@DavidJones-ey6ie]

This dude is so talented, musically, some people just have a gift! Surrounded himself with amazing musicians like himself

[@lizarddronedude3617]

The most uniquely original artist ever

[@zawolajDorota-PAW]

Peter Gabriel Plays Live in Athens in 1987 - top form! A great song and a fine performance, fantastic musicians!

[@markandrews5547]

I love this version for the raw, youthful energy. But I gotta say the Live 1993 version shows more polish and even more energy. Plus it has Paula Cole on backup!

[@secretbase7473]

@@markandrews5547 that tour was the pinnacle of PG....so frikin amazing.

[@littleerika7977]

This song brings memories of how many parties we had and this live concert dvd was the hit of the night! Miss home truly with this song. It’s a dance and catch

[@TvMacfly]

this song is set in stone !!!

[@alwaysknewtowearitwellfanc3650]

Mercy! What times we had! Love it! I kicked the habit, too!

[@soberek]

One of the greatest if not THE greatest moment in bass guitar history.

[@deletebilderberg]

You clearly haven’t heard of Billy Nelson or Noel Redding.

[@tomgrummett4591]

Honestly I dont find it very impressive. It seems pretty tame and boring as far as bass riffs go

[@OldWhitebelly]

I've been a massive fan of PG since about 1971, and still am. But this tour was the first one where he was clearly using pre-recorded tracks, and it bummed me out. Still does. It hadn't been that many years since ELO was lambasted for doing the same thing. These days, damn near everything you hear at many concerts is a track, sadly. No minidisc and no synth will ever smoke like a horn section smokes.

[@weedaveanderson]

The drummer is absolutely tremendous

[@Griuofficial]

Soooo amazing, golden era of music

[@terrylewis_]

I had no idea growing up what this song was about... but holy moly. He can be my honey bee... haha

[@amydavidval]

Love it lol

[@tonyallewellyn7304]

Lol mine too 🥰

[@diamonddave16]

I remember being 17 & hearing the line about fruit cakes sweet as can be. 😁

[@joediaz2589]

@@diamonddave16 Per the lyrics to this song it's actually "fruit cage" which I think might have been sexually suggestive. Still sweet though..

[@jamesnichols7693]

@@joediaz2589 you said fruit cage, eheheheh...If there was an subtlety with the lyrics it's out the window when he does his spread eagle dance in synch with open up your fruit cakes/cage line.

[@clanwaddell5628]

No modern pop male performer can hold a candle to Pete Gabriel

[@klaurcschwackerberg1880]

only Justin Bieber ! ok lol . joke haha

[@JakobKenda]

@@klaurcschwackerberg1880 this was about as real of a live performance as justin bieber though

[@therespectedlex9794]

Good dancer, but did he go to fat?

[@snowgorilla9789]

​@@therespectedlex9794 the guy is over 70 cut some slack

[@therespectedlex9794]

@@snowgorilla9789 He is now. I'm talking twenty years ago.

[@aleksanderzygmunt2]

36 years passed by, nothing changed, the same energy still there.

[@panoseddie9975]

Yes i'm very happy and proud i was there these nights and saw the mighty Gabriel live

[@BogdanDiklic007]

The bassist from King Crimson - Tony Levin.

[@melquizedec]

he´s a beast!

[@janice2440]

sexy sexy man love his voice

[@NIKOSFOUST]

I was there that summer night at Lycavetos theatre. After all these years thank you Peter.

[@PwnageMethodGaming]

When I build my time travel machine this is one of the concerts I’ll be going to

[@markandrews5547]

I know it's been said multiple times here, but Tony is just an amazing beast on this bass line. Mega Respecto! And of course, we all love Rhodes as well. It says a lot about Peter, the man, that top-flight backing musicians remained loyal to him and his work for decades. Gabriel, with all his talent and various innovations over the years, may be my favorite musician of all time.

[@jamesian-allen8725]

Have a look/listen to my channel, I knock out cover tunes left and right and recently did a 5 song tribute to the "melt" LP ( LP #3). Intruder/games without frontiers/family snapshot/I don't remember/And through the wire. They're in a playlist in that sequence, I think I did ok and had major fun recording them. If you listen...let me know your thoughts. And yeah, P/G is something else, what he does is art, he is a true music genius !

[@lazersandwhich9702]

claptons up there as well for me

[@TheRealHucasys]

This tour is by far my favorite, it's not the one I saw, and all are amazing, but the versions of these songs, this band, and the version of No Self Control...., I could watch this eternally.

[@soundacresstudio]

PG transcended Genesis with a completely new and incredibly powerful sound and yet his talent, showmanship and passion remained soaring. For me, Its sometimes difficult to believe that Genesis PG and Peter Gabriel are the same being but they are and I think that is truly remarkable and amazing.

[@gerardinecizmar]

It's funny because I was 21 when this song came out and I really didn't pay attention to it. I sure as hell didn't know what it was about lol. Now Harry Styles did a magnificent cover of it and I'm a fan of Peter and love the song. Such undercover naughty lyrics.

[@matiasadrielgarcia5176]

5:16 "Best day ever"

[@vanessalore9942]

Peter, you’re one of the best gyrators out there. Oh and you sing pretty good too. 😉💙

[@TomasLjung-jj5dp]

Peter showing his best of gifts in music sing a long must say Bravissimo ☆☆☆☆☆

[@mattward6904]

Well if you didn’t know what this song was about before, you do now lol. Those moves….😆

[@TheIsambard82]

Goodness me, the fruit cage moves...!

[@masoudltf]

Tony Levin on bass WOOOOOOW

[@teresak8393]

I've always Ben a @petergabriel fan ever since I first saw this video on MTV. Wish I could travel back to the 80s again ,and Jam at this concert with @petergabriel & his amazing band . Who else wants to travel back to the 80s with me & rock out to his amazing concert ?!!!!!!! ❤️💋🔥🎸💃💃💃💃💃💃💃

[@oneworldproduction]

I was there

[@MicheleDiSalvia]

Simply Peter Gabriel....

[@penelopeeleni5383]

Hey....I was there at this concert on Lykavittos!!!! Thanks.

[@AGENTARA1]

Incredible performance

[@tomkelsey2303]

I fell in love with PG's music in college. Used to get plenty high and groove out to his earlier albums. Incredible performer, singer, arranger and well... musician!

[@kostasdimakop1391]

I was in this concert and it was one of the most beautiful nights of my life! I was 18 years old ...

[@argylegrant4073]

Looks and sounds as if it were shot today, the quality here is unbelievable

[@carlchilders9538]

This is one of a million awesome songs from the 1980's. How many awesome songs have come from the 2010's and 2020's??? Zero. Why is that?

[@MontecristotoValjean]

Some of the finest musicians and innovators EVVVER!

[@Usualspec13]

Thank you so much for this song. It lives in my soul from childhood. You're amazing live. Thank you.