Picture a David Bowie performance and you’re likely thinking of a glam rock god, locked into character and bordering on not seeming human at all. But, in the year 2000, David Bowie stepped away from the alien aesthetic of his ‘70s heyday, showing off his human side in a rare, heartwarming performance of “Starman” that might make fans miss the late star all the more.
This rediscovered performance from TFI Friday was uploaded to the show’s official YouTube channel in August 2026, amassing tens of thousands of views. Music Man readers can watch the magic unfold in the video below. And, in case you want to catch more of Bowie’s TFI set, just check out our second video further down this page…
At 53 years of age, David Bowie returns to a song he first penned when he was in his twenties. His look has changed since his ‘70s “Starman” days, but there’s still a playful glint in his eyes as he launches into the song’s first line.
“Starman” may be one of Bowie’s most recognisable hits, yet this rendition has a distinctly informal charm. Lingering beneath Bowie’s undeniable star power on the TFI stage is a hint of bashfulness as the singer revisits a song from his glam-rock era.
He grins so wide you’d expect him to miss his next lyric. But then Bowie settles into the “Starman” performance, delivering the familiar lines with an extra bit of pizzazz.
Bowie’s TFI appearance also featured “Wild Is The Wind,” “Absolute Beginners” and “Cracked Actor,” though only “Wild Is The Wind” and “Starman” were broadcast at the time.
There’s a bittersweet pull to watching Bowie so at ease here. For anyone who misses him, that glimpse of his lighter side is part of the magic.