Amplified: 60 years of live music at Kent

Two students huddled under a makeshift poncho. One has a Keynestock t-shirt on

AMPLIFIED

60 years of live of music at Kent
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Share your memories and photos

From Rutherford Dining Hall to Summer Ball, we have witnessed some extraordinary live music in our 60 history so far. 

Whether it was Duran Duran's notorious gig in the sports hall, the night Coolio transformed the Venue into a gangsta's paradise, or picture this, Blondie in the old Canterbury Odeon, we'd love to hear your memories and see any photos you have of live music at Kent.

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Five piece band play outside Keynes college

Keynestock

"This is my band Trivial. Seated centre stage is His Excellency M Gerard Leon Pierre Phillipps (K H 1978) Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Czech Republic. I am on the left." ~ Gerry Keay, Image copyright: Gerry Keay

Rock around the clock: 1965-2025

Hundreds of gigs have been staged by the University since 1965, here are just a few.

  • Champion Jack Dupree - June 1967 - Rutherford Junior Common Room
  • The Kinks - February 1973 - Sports Hall
  • Soft Machine - November 1975 - Eliot Dining Hall
  • Blondie - May 1978 - Canterbury Odeon
  • Duran Duran - December 1981 - Sports Hall
  • The Smiths - February 1984 - Darwin Dining Hall
  • The Levellers - June 1989 - Darwin Junior Common Room
  • Beverley Knight - May 2007 - KSU Summer Ball
  • Coolio - September 2012 - Venue
  • Becky Hill - June 2017 - KSU Summer Ball 
  • Not3s - June 2022 - KSU Summer Ball 
  • The Blockheads - January 2024 - Colyer-Fergusson Hall

Long read: Booking Led Zeppelin to play at UKC

"No wonder I only got a 2:2 that summer! But would I have missed the experience... of course not!" - Peter Piddock (E68-71)
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