Die-hard Crüe fans in New York City got a dream come true on Monday night (May 6th) as Mötley Crüe took the stage at the intimate Bowery Ballroom for a surprise show. Billed simply as “1981”, the concert was a nod to the band’s formative year, selling out in a mere five minutes during a pre-sale for their fan clubs.
The year 1981 holds immense significance for Mötley Crüe. It marked their explosive arrival on the scene, with the release of both their debut single ‘Live Wire’ and their raw debut album “Too Fast For Love.”
Fans at the Bowery Ballroom were treated to a high-octane setlist heavily featuring tracks from those early days, including anthems like ‘Live Wire’, ‘Shout At The Devil’, and of course, ‘Too Fast For Love’. The band also delivered a scorching medley that included classic rock staples like ‘Smokin’ In The Boys Room’ and ‘Anarchy In The U.K.’, before closing out the night with their signature hits ‘Dr. Feelgood’, ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’, and ‘Kickstart My Heart’.
This surprise show wasn’t Mötley Crüe‘s first foray into intimate club settings. Last year, they thrilled a select crowd of 450 fans at the Underworld in London under the clever alias “Dögs Of War,” sending a jolt of excitement through the streets of Camden.