So Top Gear live kicked off last night at Earl’s Court in London – the first show in a world tour with all the swagger of a stadium rock band, but more cars.
After a suitably dramatic pyrotechnic build up and a bit of cocking about backstage, Jeremy was first into the arena – sideways in the Top Gear-tuned BMW 3-series the boys used in the Britcar 24hr race a couple of series ago.
James made a typically leisurely entrance in his homemade Lexus police car followed by Hammond pulling half the set down with his stretched MG limo.
What followed was like the telly show on some mentalist big stage trip – lots of awesome cars precision choreographed using every inch of the arena for J-turns and powerslides. Like a day at the TG test track really, but in front of 6,000 people. And, amazingly, no crashes.
Stig’s entrance was typically sideways in a red F430 – a moment only upstaged by Richard’s terrifying tribute to Evel Knievel. Well, terrifying’s one word for it. We’ll try to track down some video for that over the next week or so and you’ll see what we mean.
Then something amazing happened – a genuinely democratic moment with the Cool Wall. The audience voted using cards and Jeremy only vetoed, well, all of them. But at least he let the audience drive our reasonably priced car – every single one of them – using some complicated computer trickery and some coloured pieces of card. We’ll leave you to ponder that.
Next up, dancers, drums, a parade of supercars and a donutting black cab (really) built us up to a finale that had us all worried in dress rehearsals – Stig doing battle with two motocross bikes and a flame-spitting dragon-robot thing that properly shocked the audience.
Anyway, the tour continues in the capital until November and the up to Birmingham before setting off literally around the world, so we’ll hold fire on any more spoilers for now.
If you want tickets check out the Top Gear Live website, but be warned London’s sold out already. If you can’t make it, we’ll be posting pics and backstage gossip here on Transmission – and hopefully a bit of video too.
Jeremy is too old to tour like a rock band! Does he have a bus pass yet?
I wish i could go, i realllllllllyyyy want to go, the closest ive got to seeing it is snippits on youtube.
I WAS THERE!!!!!!
I think top gear is the best car show ever I would love to see your show live from dominic
I wish i had the chance to watch it.
I hope that I can go to the show in Birmingham but my parents won´t let me. I´m so looking towards to see the first Top Gear episode from season 12…
bass boy u just dont see the legend inside him he has done more motor vechile shows and enginering shows hes exsperienced sumit like 9gs so dont hes to old
Two Things Firstly The stig was in a 360 not a 430 and seconly it was a MR2 Replica Not a real 360
i diddnt see the show but it looked awsome to see
i love topgear! the are soo funnny !
A 360 not a 430 and an MR2 NOT a 360 … thanks for that .. looks wet outside …. dont forget the anorak.
I have front row tickets and I can not wait for birmingham
Woohoo birmingham VIP here I come
Next year please please please bring TG Live to Newcastle!!
The north east isn’t nearly as horrible as Jeremy might think – we’ve got eletricity now and everything.
PUUUUUUURRRRRRRLLLLLLEEEE AAAAAZZZZZZZZZEE!?
Pretty please with kisses on?
I’ll buy you all crisps…
….and chocolate.
I want to go – if only I wasn’t stuck in scotland trying to write a Dissertation on rocks!!!! Grrr!!!!
I’ll just have to make sure I’m there next year!!
Yeah! Bring TG to Newcastle! BIG PLEASE! I’ll do anything…..Even spend a night with James May….Or maybe not!
Or…
At least make a live DVD of one of these live shows, it’d be great!
So, what does everyone think? A live DVD of TG Live?
Wow, that looks amazing – can’t wait!
‘Pedantic’: nothing wrong with accuracy.
why can’t you come to newcastle??
Why doesn’t top gear do a public in a reasonably priced car session as a TG special – i’m sure it would be funny!
please come to portugal… please?
I can’t wait for this – I’m off to see the last night shopw tomorrow
Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond i will let you suck out all my breast milk i have bigger one’s than jordan and i will be as naked as a baby. I LOVE YOU BOTH!!!
I have tickets for tomorrow night! Don’t ruin it! I’m flying all the way from Romania for this!
sorry jeremy,richard and james i couldn’t make it this year i am really angry . i love top gear so much . i will mak it next year i promise
Excellent stuff, I’ve got a front row ticket to the Birmingham show and I’m counting down the days left!!
Please come to Germany at some point with this
Half the central Europe will come to watch something of that sort of utter greatness.
Am goin 2 the sunday 1 at the nec ..WOOP WOOP cant w8
WHEN WILL THE NEXT SERIES WILL BE ON TV ON BBC
I’ll be there tomorrow, can’t wait! It looks like quite the show!
Awww I wish i was going to MPH
could’nt affored it this year:(
Love you hammond
I wish i could see the new bugatti coming out in Paris next month!!!!
@ BAKR.
sunday, fool!
That isnt an F430 the Stigs in. Thats a 360 Modena.
And I thought this site was about cars……
ha ha the tickets for London are all sold out, but i managed to get one.
This will be so amazingly top-notch , top-gear, considering the waiting line for the normal top-gear is about 5 years.
No jealousy,
Whooooohahahahahahahahaha hahahahahhahah
Yeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!! !!!!!
woo im going to that soon =]
I agree, a Top Gear Live DVD would be fantastic for Christmas.
(And you really need a moderator… it’s getting really PG-13 in here…)
are you coming to sheffield any time soon to do a live show
i cant wait to go ive had my bag packed for three days richard is the best
Please, come to california!!!
I love the program.
wish I was in the UK for the show but then again they are coming here to South Africa. I will go to te show then.
The United States could never make a show like this.
Bring Top Gear Live to LIVERPOOL
i love top gear – watch it on dave every day
cnt wait 4 the new series – also cnt wait 2 see the lads live in Birmingham (gt front row tickets)
Love u Richard xx
I love Top Gear.. watch it all the time.. can’t wail till the new series starts..
Please come to Doncaster.. I Love the programme..!!
I would love to see James get in the fastest road car in the world.. just to see his face.. lol..
Richard is the best..!! ♥
I’m going to the one in Birmingham, it looks like it’s gonna be epic… can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!
So Top Gear live kicked off last night at Earl’s Court in London
I was there last night – sorry to say, but compared to the TV show it was all pretty lame. OK if you like dancers cavorting around behind yet ANOTHER car doing doughnuts, but the guys were on stage for less than 25% of the show, the rest of which was a gaudy circus of car ads
im so excited im going to see them on sunday at earls court. CANT WAIT
I’m waiting for more info on the Auckland Show!
I can’t belive they’re not coming to the U.S.
I would have gone.
i realy want to go but there the 18 and over age limit ‘i dont see why this is so?’
top gear is the BEST!!! show ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
Ive found this!The Stig is even more popular than I though!
http://www.tsgnet.com/pre s.php?id=46832&altf=Uif&a ltl=Tujh
saw you guys today, 2nd ever show – it was fantastic! had a front row seat, thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the football! cant wait for the new series, keep it up.
Hi guys. I also saw the show today. OLIVEEEEEEEEEEER! lol. What happened to you guys afterwards? I wanted to see you but some big guy said that wasn’t possible. Totally ruined it but i guess you had your reasons :-/ They wouldn’t even pass on the pics I worked hard on till 1:30am this morning.
Why can’t I go (apart fro being too young?) Wanna see it
Gonna have to just watch clips on this webby.
top gar rocks
Wahey, I was there last night, my third year now, gets better every time! Everything was amazing, and Richard certainly looked rather yummy
<3 Thanks for another memorable year guys =D Looking foward to TGTV on Sunday now!!!
For everyone going- You’ll bloody love it, have fun!!! X
went tonight it was amazing cant wait till the next one!! bring on sunday!!
Stig was clearly driving a F360, not a F430!!! Maybe not so clear is the fact it was actually a MR2 replica of a F360! Why? Can’t you just get a real Ferrari and get the name right?
I paid for a gold ticket and my aisle was so far back it was unbelievable >:(
Anyway, show was flippin’ marvellous.
bring back the bbc version of top gear it is more enjoyable than watching the australian one
Went today (31st) thought it was the best show i’d even seen!
Although I hoped you guys were going to do signings! Unless I missed it of course…
Anyway, thanks for the brillant show hope to be there next year too!
X
(And Richard, your hair simply defies gravity now)
Omg im soo excited! im going xD!! so happy!!!
It looks awesome!
I can’t wait until they come to Birmingham!
I’m going on the 14th!
Well Excited! =D
cant wait 4 the new series been off tv too long, shame the mrs dont feel the same!!!! never miss a show and never will, keep up the good, work should be on every day!! any chance of a ticket to the show? lol,
I was there (31st) and loved every moment of it – it was great to see some familiar cars, and trying to control the reasonably priced car was a laugh.
Keep it up – lets hope the world tour pays off
Absolutely marvellous stuff. The guys are amazing and long my this continue.
hey im goin mph but i m not goin into the live bit how expensive is it there im goin in a few hours:) p.s can some1 tell what qulificatoins i need to work for topgear magasine bbecuase i love cars and a motoring journalist is my dream job plz tell me:)
???? How can this be a “World Tour” and not include a North American date?
Yeah, I know that we Yanks tend to be your favorite whipping boys these days, but not everyone over here has sworn a blood allegiance to NASCAR and the Dukes of Hazzard. Some of us actually like things like S-bends, heel and toeing, and turbocharging. And WE LOVE TOP GEAR.
Please, dear fellows, follow the path of the Mayflower and get your arses over here, too.
woop! woop! woop!- woop!
personal best!!
cars guitars,sushi- how can the boys ever trust the Americans again after they were attacked by swamp rednecks in alabamee? on film – forever!
we are lucky they are still alive!
says… gimme a ticket!!!- anywhere- and i’ll have stig’s… baby!
cars, guitars sushi… woop woop! heeling and toeing- essbending? – ain’t that- a country apalacian family line dancing- boot-scooting routine theeng?- the TG boys don’t do that!
When you say your coming to Auckland do you mean in New Zealand if so I SM SO THERE even if that means i have to drive then fly then drive some more then catch a boat and then drive even more in stead of Auckland it should so be QUEENSTOWN!!!
I would’ve loved to have gone, but sadly, I had to work. I have a few friends who did manage to go, so I’ll have to see how they enjoyed it, once I hear from them. Maybe next year. I will check out the videos you post though.
So, when are you coming to sweden eh?
Not half as good as last year, or the year before. It was as if they had ran out of Ideas for the stage show or couldn’t be botherd! The exhibition was tame almost dull, what happened to upstairs?
So it was a sell out, is that it?, we’re full, no need to try, just take their money.
I certainly won’t be going next year, I bet I’m not alone. Count your money boys!
have seen last years mph show and it was bril,car stunts spetckular!! ,and cant wait till top gear is on again brill
I went last night and it was absolutely fantastic!!!! Best live show you will ever watch! Funny too!
I’m going to the Dublin show! Can’t wait, sounds brilliant.
Top gear is certainly top. not fith! TG you are amazing!
I’m going to the 6:30 show tonight can’t wait, but can anyone tell me if cameras are allowed?
Cheers
goin to the one in dublin at end of november,
cant wait to c the boys live
wooo!!!!
I wish I could go
but i can’t :’(
TOP GEAR IS THE BEST
Is There Any Chance of a Glasgow part of the tour i bloody luv topgear
I want to gooooo thereeeee, I wish we could watch you in Croatia….
Maybe.. someday…YOU ARE THE BEST CAR SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Croatia With Love!!!
im goin 2 c topgear live in dublin
goin 2 be great!!!
Stephen
I wish i could go to your live show…
Top Gear is loved in America as well…when are you guys coming back? There is simply no other show like it. Please please come to the US!…and make fun of our goofy culture again!
i’m only 12 and i lve it already
i went to top gear live i lved it sooooooooooooo much i thank jezza, captin slow and the hamster!!!
i’ll be watching on sunday and next sunday and the next sunday…etc.
I’m from Australia and am going to see it when it comes to Sydney! Can’t wait!
I’m from Australia and am going to see it when it comes to Sydney! Can’t wait for it!
I mostly agree with Cars,Guitars,Sushi…not all of us Yanks are into Nascar and shagging our siblings! TG guys, you have to go North! You guys really could have been shot by some country bumpkin! Anyway, I check all the time to see when you will be in the US. I think Michigan (hint,hint)would be a great place (Van Andel Arena(hint,hint)). Love you guys! P.S. James, you are a doll!
My 2 mates and I have been to MPH at Earls Court the past 3 years now and loved the show in 06 & 07.
But this year we were left feeling disappointed and cheated… the show was filled with glorified adverts, less than average dance routines, and a distinct lack of the usual banter and fun challenges from the TG lads. The Cool Wall and lap of the TG test track was rubbish… it obviously wasn’t controlled by the audience and was boring. And what happened to the 3D effects from previous years?!
Also, we were disappointed to see that once again, the TG boys couldn’t be bothered to come out and say hello to their fans… we have been to Earls Court 3 years in a row; on Saturday afternoon, evening, and now on the Gala night (Thurs) and they have never bothered to show their faces after the show, even to the people that bought Gold tickets and bothered to do the (boring) paddock tour afterwards.
Sorry Jeremy, James and Richard, but we won’t be coming next year, although I will of course still be watching the new series of Top Gear tonight… for FREE from the comfort of our living room!!
i’ve got de tickets 4 de show in dublin!!!!
cant wait, hurry up boys
Im going in The RDS in Dublin…
Go to youtube.com/TheCarPicGuy
for amazing Top Gear videos
bring top gear to ireland.. evryone would go c it!!
Ive Got Tickets To Birmingham!
I Cant Wait!
I LOVE TOPGEAR!
3rd row! =]
xxxxxxxxxxxx
saw the show on friday really enjoyed it i also think you should come to newcastle next year you get better audiances up here not just polite applause you got on friday night
WOOP! WOOP! 15TH NOV CANT WAIT AT THE NEC!!!
I’m so unlucky! I really wanted to go but my parents wouldn’t let me and now I’m going on a school trip to London on wenesday.
I would luv to go see Topgear and the live shows but I’m 17 (18 in jan). I hope for my 18th to go and see a recording of topgear But getting tickets for it is hard ;(!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic seeing what’s on in the UK via the web but when can we buy dvd’s of it over here in Australia. You Know, the place where we d rive kangaroes hit cars(all Fords and Holdens)and chase sheep while holding onto extra pairs of gumboots, wellies to you guys.If Lord Sandwhich had invented the wellington and Lord Wellington invented the sandwhich we’d all be wearing sandwiches and eating wellies! Travell British rail and you can experiance this to!heers and thanks again. Phil.
Great show – and thank the lord you’re all back. Couldn’t take much more of the other channels rubbish.
Question: When are you going to release an album of the music you use in a lot of your filming. Being something of a sad anorak, I’ve noticed you use a lot of film scores such as Batman Begins,The Dark Knight, The Bourne films, Gladiator (the film not the TV shows) etc.
Keep up the good work and being politically incorrect (although not in a Wossy style)
i was there 2 i was in row Z but it was sill amazing!!!!
Hey Why don’t u guys come to Singapore!!!
wow cant wait to see them live in brum on the 16th!counting down the days!
i really ejoyd the show its the best thing i even seen. my boyfriend loved it too bits aswel he loves the show and people like you can do things brilliantly. all i can say is brum brum!
It was a fantastic show and I was delighted to have been there!
Thank you guys!!
Long Live MilkyMay!
Fabienne
i really want to watch this top gear live it looks amazing!!! im addicted to eveything to do with cars and topgear and this is the best show on tv !!!! the stig is freakin awesum and he shud be elected ruler of the world!!!
wooo go top gear xxxx
sould come to Yorkshire
I went to see topgear live in london and it was clasic. i loved it so much. clarkson, may and hammond are legends mate. Hammond is so cutteeeee. <3
Wow. WOW. Went to one of the London shows and had the best time ever. Platinum tickets helped a bit. LOVED the Knievel tribute, managed to get a film of it on my phone – still keeps me in stitches!
Cheers for waving at me on Saturday James – along with the group who I think were trying to catch Hammond’s eye – really made my day (plus gave me something to show off about to my mate who’s claiming I don’t do enough to show I’m a fan of TG…liar.)
My Son & I are going to MPH next saturday, this is our second time of going, very lucky to have gold ticket & on row A, so looking forward not to be sitting at the back. What i have read seeing my four heros of sunday nites is more i can wish for, Rock on boys, i will be giving my support to Jeremy, nobody has a sense of humour anymore, See u next saturday big TG fan rachel. PS Jezza for Prime Minister xxxxxxxxxx
It was our first Top Gear live and we thought it was brilliant. Superb stunts. Jeremy, Richard and James were their usual hilarious selves with Jezza being rude as normal. The special effects were excellent and we shall be back next year. Can’t wait. The new series kicked off with a great programme funny as always. Sunday evenings just got enjoyable again. Keep up the good work lads.
top gear live best show i ever saw clarkson hammond and may at there very best
they rule and always rule. they are even better than the Australian top gear. even though im australian. they so rule.
my friend was really excited before she went. she did enjoy it but it was a bit disappointing that she was so far back and that the boys didn’t come out to meet people afterwards.(considering that she bought a VIP platinum ticket)
The show was awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!
loved the flames!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!
So fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dissapointed that couldn’t get autograph.
OH WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!
It was BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!