When Machines Rock!
Its May /June 1979 and the British chart are going through a dramatic change. The dying embers of the U.S. disco onslaught are finally withering away, Virgin are flogging a dead horse with recycled pseudo Sex Pistols releases, and the Ska movement is slowly moon stomping its way into the limelight. However things are about to change.
Previously, earlier in the week, Numan and co. had appeared on The Old Grey Whistle Test. But it hadn’t been noticed by the music hungry teenage market. Tubeway Army’s first appearance on Top of the Pops is a career defining moment. ‘Are Friends Electric’ hits the top spot. This is swiftly followed by the massive hit ‘Cars’ . Perfect.
However all is not well. Just as the hugely successful album ‘Telekon’ is released and receiving rave reviews, Gary announces on the Peter Powell radio show he is to retire after 3 Shows at Wembley . It's a bombshell statement. Even Powell is speechless, playing a record whilst they talked off air.
But the lure of music soon had Numan back on the road with a new persona, playing in small theatres in the USA. Fans would have to wait until ’83 for Gary to return to his home turf.
I’m going fast forward to 2013 and the release of the critically acclaimed ‘Splinter’ album. Gary was back…there had been a few wilderness years in between, but that didn’t matter anymore.
Gary once stated on TV years earlier that he didn’t do nostalgia tours and hated the idea. However something on the Splinter Tour changed that. And thank god it did.
There’s a point to this, by the way. If you asked people of different ages who their favourite Doctor Who was/is, you would get different points of view. This is largely based on age and the actor they grew up with at that influential age. My favourite Gary Numan album is Telekon. The one that hit me in my young adult years. I understood that album.
Tonight I’m at the Manchester Academy. Gary has just done his 3 night stand in London, one album a night, however I feel lucky to get the best of all three in one sitting. And it’s a long time since I’ve seen this venue packed to the doors. My god it’s hot in here as well.
As the opening intro music powers its way into every Numanoids soul, its an emotional moment. ‘Replicas’ is the first number, sounding more powerful than ever. It’s a brilliant track and the perfect start to a fans evening of Numan’s electronic genius. Gary looks pleased as well, and why shouldn’t he be. It’s been a long time coming. ‘Metal’ from the ‘Pleasure Principle’ follows. This track has gone through numerous guises but tonight it’s sounding as fresh as it did in 1979. The aptly named ‘Remind Me to Smile’ is up next. And there you have it, three songs from three huge albums. Its 15 minutes in and everyone in the venue is on Gary’s side. Music aside the lighting tonight is also phenomenal. When he’s good ,he’s bloody good.
Over the next one and a half hours we are treated to some of Gary’s finest moments. ‘We Are Glass’, ‘I Die:You Die’, ‘This Wreckage’ , ‘Cars’, ‘Down In The Park’. Are Friends Electric?’, M.E., and so on. It’s a real pleasure to behold, and every Numanoid’s electric dream. The last song is ‘Jo the Waiter’, from the debut self-titled Tubeway Army album. Everyone in the venue sings along. A fitting end to a perfect gig.
Oh, and just so you know Gary, I’ve seen every U.K. tour since 79.
And my Favourite Dr Who was Jon Pertwee.
Loz
twitter: @LozEjectthetape
Gary Numan
web: www.numan.co.uk
twitter: @numanofficial
COMMENTS
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Sounds like a great show, definitely need to catch him live again myself !
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seen him on every tour since 79
