Forty five years since the release Telekon and Gary Numan is back to celebrate this superb album, released at the height of his mega stardom following the success of Tubeway Army and subsequent solo album, The Pleasure Principle.
A Gary Numan show is always a spectacle. Visuals and sound are always superb and the crowds that turn out to watch him, whether Numanoids now in their 50’s and 60’s or youngsters discovering him through their parents record collection, are so dedicated you don’t have to put up with the talkers who only know one or two big hits.
Support tonight comes from daughter Raven who is rapidly developing a following for her often dark, gothy, rocky sound. Of course some will argue that she wouldn’t have got this far without having a famous dad but nor would she have got this far without a decent voice and the ability to write a quality tune. Taking to the stage on just the second night of the tour she’s greeted by huge applause before launching into a powerful set of songs that really set the tone for what’s to come. With occassional glances and smiles towards the stage side, perhaps seeking assurance from dad, Raven Numan’s confidence grows by the second. Through songs such as ‘Just A Number’, ‘Going Down’, ‘Here For Me’ and ‘My Reflection’ her voice soars, sometimes vulnerable, always powerful. New single, a cover of Nine Inch Nails ‘In This Twilight’, a delicate, brooding slice of goth tinged electronica, showcases Raven’s vocals perfectly. The audience appreciation goes way beyond loyalty to her dad. The place is almost full, all are completely focused on her performance, every song given the seal of approval it deserves.
The stage is set and anticipation is high, the atmosphere building with the familiar chants of “Numan, Numan” and from the moment Gary Numan walks on stage we don’t just witness a concert but a sleek, stunningly visual show. Numan is approaching 70 years of age yet he prowls round the stage like a man possessed. Arms waving, fists punching, crouching, headbanging, Numan never stops. Flanked by Steve Harris (guitar) and Tim Slade (bass) dressed in flowing black skirts, heads shaved, manic stares, and alien moves together with a light show that would shame many a stadium rock gig this celebration of an album released when I was only part way through secondary school is, quite simply, mesmorising. Brought bang into the 21st Century Telekon’s songs remain faithful to the originals but with just a slightly harder, punchier sound. Songs and sound that could have been written in 2025.
‘This Wreckage’ opens the set to a thunderous roar from those present and from this point on Numan’s set builds and builds. Telekon is played in full but isn’t played in order. ‘Remind Me To Smile’, ‘Remember I Was Vapour’ and ‘I Dream Of Wires’, packed full of atmosphere, are slower, more contemplative, harder to dance to but allow you to appreciate the, at times blinding, light show and to be reminded of what a unique voice Gary Numan has. A voice that hasn’t been tarnished by advancing years. And thankfully we’re not surrounded by a crowd that only knows/wants to hear those massive hits from years ago. Instead it’s 2000+ people who appreciate Numan’s whole output, who know this album inside out and lap up every second that he’s on stage. Most songs have featured in previous live sets although most haven’t been performed for almost a decade and for hardcore fans this makes the gig special. There’s even a song from the Telekon sessions that never saw the light of day 45 years ago. Rejected back then with Numan admitting he doesn’t even remember writing it, ‘Like A B-Film’ sounds likely to become a classic when it’s finally released. The main set closes with four punchier songs, songs that bring a mass of dancing, grins and swaying arms held aloft. ‘I’m An Agent’ is huge, ‘The Joy Circuit’ surges between delicate, almost silent synth tones into full on slices of guitar. The final two numbers see City Hall explode into a huge mass of swaying bodies, the audience gripped by every note and lyric of ‘I Die You Die’ and ‘We Are Glass’. Both are absolutely massive. Joyful, pounding, anthemic, sonic assaults that transport you back to a time when nothing else really mattered apart from music.
The band and Numan leave the stage but not for long. They return not to play those two mega hits that many remember him for. Instead we’re treated to four from the earlier days of Tubeway Army. ‘Down In The Park’ has been a live set favourite for many years. Numan then launches into three from the debut, 1979 self titled Tubeway Army album. ‘My Shadow In Vain’, ‘Friends’ and ‘Listen To The Sirens’ a brilliant leap back to his harder, punkier roots.
‘Cars’ and ‘Are Friends Electric’ are not played. No-one seems disappointed. This was not a trip down Nostalgia Lane but a statement of fact that Numan was one of the most innovative song writers of the 80’s and, if you listen to his more recent output, continues to be so into the twenty first century. As the house lights come back on we leave knowing we have witnessed something special and you can’t ask for any more than that.
Photos/words: steve white
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