On Stage is a live recording of four songs performed on Kate Bush’s Tour of Life, recorded at Hammersmith Odeon on 13 May 1979 and released on 31 August 1979. For a long time, it was her only official live performance on vinyl. (60 minutes of the concert were finally made available on CD in 1994 as Live at Hammersmith Odeon.) The songs included are Them Heavy People, Don’t Push Your Foot On The Heartbrake, James And The Cold Gun and L’amour Looks Something Like You.

Formats

In the UK, EMI Records initially chose to release ‘On Stage’ as two 7″ vinyl records packaged in a cardboard gatefold sleeve. This edition was quickly superseded by a single disc version, which crammed all 4 tracks onto one 7″ vinyl record, with a 33RPM speed rather than 45RPM. The single was packaged in a gatefold sleeve, although later editions were packaged in a ‘regular’ cardboard sleeve, like it was in most other territories. Only in Portugal a two 7″ vinyl set was released commercially as well.
The record ws released on 12″ vinyl and cassette in many countries.

Music video

A promotional video was made for ‘Them Heavy People’, showing Bush against a black background with the two dancers from her live shows. 

Critical response

During a broadcast of Roundtable, guest reviewer Roy Wood predicted that On Stage would be the biggest selling live EP ever. Reviews in the written press were mixed:

This collection adds naught to her albums, because you had to be there. She’s the one-girl Busby Berkely review…

Sounds, 15 september 1979

She was dazzling live and without the visuals these songs lose a little. ‘Them Heavy People’ will probably be huge. ‘James’ is also good value especially for the languid and timeless playout… quite a neat little package.

Melody Maker, 15 september 1979

Highest chart positions

Ireland: 15
Netherlands: 17
UK: 10