Gary Numan is back on the road, a staggering 47 years since his first single release That’s Too Bad with Tubeway Army, and he shows as much passion and enthusiasm for his music as he ever has.
Support on this tour is Numan’s daughter, Raven. There could be no better ‘foot on the ladder’ to boost a career in music than to go on tour with your dad, however on tonights showing Raven needs no favours from anyone. A terrific voice and confident stage presence, she did not look out of place opening for the headliner on the first night of the tour. Kicking things off with Children of the Bad Revolution, that set the tone for the evening ahead. A dark, foggy stage with spot lights aimed at the singer from both flanks, and a tight band backing her musically, she impressed with a powerful voice and a musical approach which draws from her influences of Siouxsie and Lana Del Rey, inspired to write songs by the variations of Katy Perry and Nine Inch Nails and with the legacy of her father’s music obviously hanging over her. The set included other recent releases Just a Number, Inside of You, Going Down and a cover of the NIN track In This Twilight, she was very well received and shows great promise for a future career in music in her own right.
Gary Numan is the elder statesman of electronic music. Having first came to prominence with his band Tubeway Army back in 1979, he forged a solo career after two albums with the band and carried on with decent chart success on his own from the late 70s thru to the mid-80s. He still possesses a huge cult following and consistently sells out tours and releases new music to this day, and the shows to mark the 45th anniversary of the 1980 album Telekon selling out across the country is testament that the singer / songwriter’s music is still as relevant today as it’s always been.
The setlist for tonights gig is predominately the Telekon album plus one or two choice cuts, although not in the original running order, mixing it up after the first track This Wreckage. The roars of approval after song one raised the roof. Backed with guitarist Steve Harris and bassist Tim Slade who look startling as shaven headed, Marilyn Manson doppelgangers, the voice is still instantly recognisable. Returning to The Academy on Glasgow’s south side nearly 46 years after his first Glasgow show at the famous old Apollo, you would expect to see the artist growing old gracefully and taking things easier, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. He dominates the stage, prowling like a man possessed, and puts everything into his performance. His audience are likewise transfixed on his every move.
I Dream of Wires, Telekon, Photograph, Please Push No More and I’m an Agent, all tracks from the 45 year old record go down a storm, many not having had a live airing for near 20 years, but the bigger singles from the album I Die : You Die and We Are Glass end the first set and have the crowd begging for more, and they weren’t keep waiting for long. The band and Numan return to the stage for a further four tracks, all by Tubeway Army. Down in the Park, My Shadow in Vain, Friends and final track for the evening Listen to the Sirens.
As the crowd filtered out to the cold Glasgow weather outside, they would all be content they have witnessed yet another triumphant return to the city where it all started for Gary Numan a short lifetime ago. Seeing and hearing a classic album played in its entirety is becoming a common thing for some artists these days, and tonight Numan showed he is an artist who still has plenty in the tank. He’s on great form. He sounds great, looks the part and his fans worship him. Whats not to like? It’s a gig worth seeing.
Review & Photographs by Stephen Wilson Photography
