Artwork
Lou Reed in concert
Lou Reed in concert is a poster by Mick Rock. It dates from 1973 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The poster promotes a Lou Reed performance at Glasgow’s Apollo Theatre in March 1973, part of the promotional circuit for his album Berlin.
About this work
Overview
The poster promotes a Lou Reed performance at Glasgow’s Apollo Theatre in March 1973, part of the promotional circuit for his album Berlin. The printed sheet features a portrait of Reed derived from a Mick Rock photograph, an image previously employed for the cover of his 1972 record Transformer.
Subject & Meaning
Berlin, the album being toured, is a rock opera that narrates the bleak trajectory of a couple entangled in drug addiction and depression, reflecting Reed’s interest in urban despair and personal ruin.
Technique & Style
The visual design relies on a stark, black‑and‑white portrait taken by Mick Rock, whose work with rock musicians in the early 1970s is noted for its direct, high‑contrast aesthetic. The poster’s typography and layout echo contemporary concert advertising, emphasizing the artist’s name and venue.
History & Provenance
At the time of its release, Berlin received harsh criticism and modest sales, and the Glasgow concert itself became infamous for Reed’s incapacitated performance, during which he was carried onstage, lay supine for the duration, and was later removed in the same manner. The event is documented in a BBC Radio Scotland feature on the Apollo.
Legacy
Although initially dismissed, Berlin has been reassessed by critics and is now regarded as a significant work in Reed’s catalogue. The Mick Rock portrait endures as one of the most recognizable images of the artist, linking the poster to broader visual histories of rock culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mick Rock made bold posters of rock stars in the early 1970s. His 1973 concert poster for Lou Reed shows the singer’s sharp profile lit against a dark stage. It’s pure rock-and-roll grit captured on paper. Take a…
