Here's some of the biggest bands to play in Southend

New performers that take to the Cliff Pavilion stage can do so knowing they’re following in the footsteps of legends such as Oasis, Queen and AC/DC.

We’ve taken a trip down memory lane to look at some of the biggest artists to take to Southend’s stages.

Here’s 16 of the most famous bands to perform in Southend:

Oasis, Cliffs Pavilion, 1995

One of the biggest boy bands in the 90s and noughties took to the Cliffs stage in 1995.

Oasis performed in Southend the same year they recorded their hit album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? which became one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Oasis have sold over 75 million records worldwide and have been cited by the Guinness World Records as the most successful act in the UK between 1995 and 2005.

Oasis seen on Southend seafront

Queen, Kursaal Ballroom, 1973

You don’t get much bigger than Queen.

Queen took to the stage in Southend for a one-night only performance in 1973 as a supporting act for Mott the Hoople quite early on in their career. 

Queen were the support act for Mott the Hoople

Black Sabbath, Kursaal Ballrom, 1975

Ozzy Osborne’s rock band, Black Sabbath, performed at the Kursaal Ballroom twice in 1975. Once in January and once in November.

Boyz II Men, Cliffs Pavilion, 2008

Known for their number one worldwide selling single “End of the Road, American boy band Boyz II Men played at the Cliffs back in 2008.

The band have received four Grammy Awards and are the third artists ever to replaced themselves on top of the Billboard Hot 100.

Boyz II Men (Joe Imel/Invision/AP)

Depeche Mode, Ciffs Pavilion, 1982

The dance-rock band from Basildon played at the Cliffs at the start of their career in 1982.

Q included the band in its list of “50 Bands That Changed The World”.

Depeche Mode

Jamiroquai, Cliffs Pavilion, 1997

Jamiroquai were formed in 1992 and were prominent during the London funk/jazz movement throughout the 1990s.

The band has sold more than 26 million albums worldwide. They won a Grammy Award in 1998.

AC/DC, Kursaal Ballroom , 1977

AC/DC performed in March and October of 1977 at the Kursaal Ballroom.

During the 1970’s, the Kursaal made its name as Southend’s preeminent rock music venue showcasing internationally successful acts. At the end of 1977, the decision was made to close the Ballroom.

A photograph pf AC/DC performing at the Kursaal was used on the front cover of their “Let their be rock” album.

One Direction, Cliffs Pavilion, 2011

One Direction performed at the Cliffs just one year after coming third place on the X Factor.

The band went on to sell over 70 million records worldwide, one of the best selling boy bands of all time.

One Direction

Blur, Cliffs Pavilion, 2009

Blur performed at the Cliffs the same year they reunited with Graham Coxon after they had disbanded for several years.

Blur

The Temptations, Cliffs Pavilion, 2003/5/7

The Temptations have performed three times at the Cliffs. Once on their own in 2003 and twice with other acts.

They shared the stage with Ron Tyson in 20035 and then shared the stage with him again as well as The Four Tops in 2007.

McFly, Cliffs Pavilion, 2009

McFly performed at the Cliffs four years after winning the Brit Award for Best British Pop Act in 2005.

Mcfly

The Saturdays, Cliffs Pavilion, 2011

The Saturdays were mid-way through their girl band career when they sang at the Cliffs.

Deep Purple, Kursaal Ballroom, 1974/Cliffs Pavilion, 2002

Deep Purple performed only once at the Kursaal Ballroom back in 1974.

They returned to Southend back in 2002 but instead performed at the Cliffs Pavillion.

The Kooks, Cliffs Pavilion, 2017

The Kooks took to the stage in May 2017.

Enter Shikari, Palaye Royale, Black Peaks, Cliffs Pavilion, 2019

More recent rock bands to take to the Cliffs stage are Enter Shikari, Palaye Royale, Black Peaks.

Kaiser Chiefs, Cliffs Pavilion, 2012

The Kaiser Chiefs took to the stage back in 2012 alongside All The Young and Club Smith.