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Kate Bush fans defy singer's request for no photos or video recordings

Footage from Bush's first London gig has appeared on YouTube and Twitter

Jess Denham
Wednesday 27 August 2014 15:57 BST
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Kate Bush performed her first of 22 dates at London's Hammersmith on 26 August
Kate Bush performed her first of 22 dates at London's Hammersmith on 26 August (Trevor Leighton)

She made a plea to fans to leave their filming equipment at home, but footage of Kate Bush’s first London gig has already surfaced online.

The “Running Up That Hill” singer posted a message on her official website asking those coming to her shows not to take photos or videos.

“We have purposefully chosen an intimate theatre setting rather than a large venue or stadium,” she wrote.

“I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iPhones, iPads or cameras. I know it’s a lot to ask but it would allow us to all share in the experience together.”

Despite her reasonable request, dodgy YouTube recordings have been uploaded to social media, with one gig-goer filming a two-minute clip of her final song “Cloudbusting” and another recording “Among Angels”.

Fans were quick to criticise those who had gone against Bush’s wishes, accusing them of “clearly having no respect for her or what she does”.

“Poor video, poor audio, why did you bother?” wrote an angry fan on YouTube. “Isn’t this typical of the selfish world we find ourselves in; no respect for others’ wishes at all.”

Others were pleased to see footage of the 56-year-old’s “spellbinding” performance, having missed out on tickets themselves.

More than 80,000 tickets for the 22 shows at London’s Hammersmith Apollo sold out in less than 15 minutes back in March, with fans desperate to experience her comeback after 35 years away from the limelight.

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Among the famous faces in the crowd last night were Lily Allen, Gemma Arterton and Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, who spotted Bush's talent when she was a teenager.

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