Gary Numan was quite literally Down in the Park on Friday evening as he kicked off his latest tour in Glasgow. It felt like a fitting place to begin, given that his first-ever live performance took place in the city what now seems like a lifetime ago.
As the gates opened at the picturesque Queen’s Park venue, the Scottish summer was doing its very best impression of the Mediterranean. Sunshine bathed the park as picnickers and sun worshippers made the most of a glorious Friday evening, while a modest queue had already formed outside the entrance. The black clad faithful were determined to secure a front-and-centre spot for the synth godfather.
As it turned out, the early arrivals needn’t have worried too much. Many fans were still scattered around the park making the most of the weather (or strategically positioned in nearby pubs) before heading inside. There was no frantic rush, just a relaxed atmosphere that suited the setting perfectly.
The venue itself deserves plenty of credit. Food and drink concessions were well organised, with welcome shaded seating areas offering a brief escape from the relentless sunshine. The staff were friendly, efficient and genuinely helpful throughout the evening, helping everything run smoothly.
Support came from French industrial rock outfit Divine Shade. Originally scheduled for 7:35pm, they kept fans waiting a few extra minutes before taking to the stage, but they quickly made up for the slight delay. Familiar faces to regular Gary Numan audiences after previous tours together, the band delivered a powerful, energetic set that perfectly complemented the evening ahead.
Their industrial influences were unmistakable, yet they brought enough individuality to make their performance memorable. By the time they left the stage, the now considerably larger crowd rewarded them with a huge ovation, and it’s difficult to imagine them receiving anything less throughout the remainder of the tour.
With the support act finished, some fans headed for another drink while others sought refuge beneath the shaded areas… a sentence not often written about a gig in Glasgow. Those occupying the front barrier, however, remained steadfast. Dressed almost exclusively in black beneath and being roasted by an unrelenting summer sun, they were clearly prepared for a long shift.
Shortly after 9pm, Gary Numan and his band emerged to a deafening welcome and the inevitable cries of “Nuuuuummmaan!”
Clad in his trademark dystopian attire but wearing an unmistakably broad smile, Numan looked genuinely pleased to be back. There was little delay before the opening strains of ‘Halo’ signalled that the evening had truly begun.
One surprise was that the 900-capacity venue wasn’t completely full. Given Numan’s consistently strong support in Glasgow, where larger venues have regularly sold out in recent years, it felt slightly unexpected. Those who stayed away, however, missed an excellent performance.
The 18-song set balanced familiar favourites with a few welcome surprises. Numan had promised some changes from previous tours, and by the third song he delivered one of them with ‘I Am Dust’, making its first live appearance since 2016. It was a moment that long-time fans clearly appreciated.
The setlist was thoughtfully curated throughout. Classics such as ‘Cars’, Down in the Park, and the inevitable finale ‘Are ‘Friends’ Electric?’ ensured nobody went home disappointed. Although, with the concert actually taking place in a park, opening or closing with ‘Down in the Park’ would have been a wonderfully obvious touch. Perhaps that was simply a little too predictable.
As dusk gradually settled over Queen’s Park, the atmosphere transformed beautifully. Smoke drifted from the stage into the tree-lined surroundings while shafts of evening sunlight pierced through the haze, combining with the lighting rig to create an eerily cinematic backdrop. It perfectly complemented the dark, apocalyptic themes that have become synonymous with much of Numan’s music, and the setting couldn’t have been more fitting.
The evening concluded with a two-song Tubeway Army encore featuring ‘My Shadow in Vain’ before finishing with the aforementioned ‘Are ‘Friends’ Electric?’ The closing moments brought an enormous singalong and a fitting end to a superb opening night.
Judging by the smiling faces streaming back into Queen’s Park afterwards, the crowd left thoroughly satisfied. Meanwhile, the Numan touring machine was already preparing for the relatively short journey south to Newcastle for the next chapter of the tour.
One final moment away from the music also deserves mention. Gary’s daughter, Raven Numan, spent much of the evening watching proudly from the side of the stage. She became something of an attraction herself, happily posing for countless selfies and chatting warmly with fans. She was generous with her time, although the growing queue eventually prompted security to step in; not because of any problems, but simply to give her a little breathing space.
Raven is still in the early stages of forging her own musical career, but there’s already plenty to admire. While echoes of her father’s influence can certainly be heard in the production and atmosphere of her work, she has established an identity that feels distinctly her own. If Friday night was anything to go by, the Numan legacy looks set to continue for some time yet.
Review and Photographs by John Brown Photography
