Gary Numan Manchester Academy 13th October 2017

Gary Numan 

Savage Tour 13.10.17

Manchester Academy

 

I first heard a record of this artist when I didn't know what music was, I grew up in a household that liked synths and it was just beginning to trend when I was a kid in the late 80's.

 

I've always appreciated that sound throughout all my music choices, 'Gary Numan's is the sound I desperately wanted to know more about and discover likewise artists.

 

Today there is a meet and greet where fans have travelled to see the show countless times on this tour and indeed in his whole career they are a dedicated bunch,This is the first time I'll of seen him play live.

 

As I go in when the doors open much of the middle and left of the barrier is taken as the M&G fans got early entry luckily I grab a place to the right, and it's actually not bad a view.

 

The support tonight comes from 'Jayce Lewis' he obviously grew up on industrial rock, and Neuro-Dance, he wears the Avant-Garde Mad Max-esque look well,he begins his just over 30 minute set, he reminds me of early 'Rammstein' with EMO Rock Bands style from the early 2000's, he'll be a hit in the pages of 'Rock Sound' soon no doubt.

 

The crowd seem to warm to him, the stage has custom built 'Jayce Lewis' LED Lights on a stand either side, he uses platforms and amps to leap along the front of the stage, he's fairly young the set is enjoyable and clearly a few 'Numan' fans appreciate him.

 

So it's nearly time for the man himself, and 'Front 242' 'Headhunter', fades out on the PA as the lights go down, a tall bass player takes to the stage and and a guitarist and drummer follows , then 'Gary Numan' himself, slight of frame petite with his black hair and eye make up, unmistakabley 'Numan'.

 

 

 The Noteable difference is there is no striped jumpsuits ,no leather look all that is gone for a bang up to date 'Saharan Desert' Beige outfit consisting of a chiffon material long sleeved top,and matching pants that drop down low at the knees (Like Mc Hammer but not as baggy).

The crowd chant 'Numan! Numan!' and as the show begins the crowd welcome him by standing and pointing.

 

 

 

The tour is for his new album 'Savage-Songs For A Broken World' that came out earlier this year,there is limited lighting in parts of the show but lasers for the more upbeat tracks.

 

So we Kick Off with the first track which is 'Ghost Nation' it's a kind of nod to 'David Bowie's more experimental 'Outside' era, then an early incarnation of oldie 'Metal' where it all began for him,but then things are brought down a level as these days he's about Industrial Rock influenced by Nine Inch Nails etc.. which is kind of perfect for me as I'm a Rocker/Mosher/Synth Fiend.

 

Another fav 'Down In the Park' from the early era '1979' from 'Replicas' was a welcome surprise I didn't expect too many as I'm aware its not a Greatest Hits Tour.

 

'Here In The Black' from the 'Splinter' album musically is a cross between 'Massive Attack' s Intertia Creeps, and 'Linkin Park's 'Crawling', it stands out for me in the whole show.

 

 

 

 

The next few tracks all unknown to me until the 'Classic' masterpiece that is 'Cars', 'Gary' has his own unique way of expressional dance he contorts and twists on stage, with a unique style that puts him still at the top of his game as he reinvents himself and his sound without really trying too hard for an artist over 50 that's hard .

 

'When The World Comes Apart' is a nod to 'Nine Inch Nails' sound without meaning to be, the crowd are going nuts and they don't even dance much just nod and point, interesting.

 

It's coming up to encore time  I've loved every minute hearing the new songs I'm wondering what we'll get next,he's back on stage  to rapturous applause and begins the classic 'I Die You Die' and then just when you think it can't any better Yes...'Are Friends Electric' wow I've always wanted to hear it played live and it's fantastic, he delivers it to the crowd so well, like its a fresh song.

 

 

The band are into the atmosphere the whole show was fantastic, so glad I went to see him at last, he's a pioneer of electronic music, I hope he will do a 'Greatest Hits' show soon because it's the only way I'll get to hear them all,but for now this will do indeed.

 

I managed to get a special bottle of water from the crew with a 'Water From A Broken World' label on it as a souvenier  to a fantastic show its long overdue me seeing 'Gary' play live.

 

LMi 

 

Mid October ...Rest........

British Sound Project Manchester 30th Sept Vs Invisible Wind Factory Liverpool 14th Oct White Lies/The Horrors Headline Last Autumn Shows

British Sound Project-Manchester Victoria Warehouse

30.09.17

V's

 Invisible Wind Factory Liverpool

14.10.17

White Lies/The Horrors Headline last 2 Autumn Festivals

 

 

Well its been a long journey on the 'Friends Tour' so an end to the campaign looms for fans and the band ,so theres a treat in store with 2 special warehouse gigs.   

 

 First up 'Manchester Victoria Warehouse' and there is new talent promised in the run up to the band's closing set late tonight.

 

As the event starts the spacious warehouse is quite empty there are 2 stages, stage 1 is where I'll be based all night.

 

I notice on the show times running list first band on are 'White' (tisk I think to myself fancy having a band with half the lads name for theirs) oh well can't be that good.. Can they?

 

'White' arrive on stage with bass player in printed wacky trousers, first impression he reminds me of  'Tim Burgess' with the boho bob its blonde one side and brown on the other side ''Hmm I think this will be quite bizarre", Drummer is female  and she takes to her drum kit, and singer a very indie looking guy walks up to the white coloured mic stand taking it all in

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 I'm thinking never seen such a bunch of misfits. 

 

 

They begin, its funky a bit 80's and a bit 90's, really rhythmic, verdict is its not bad.. I think, next song 'One Night Stand Forever' starts ''Hmm hang on, yeah its danceable ,I'm dancing definitely moving, lyrics are interesting yes quite good" singer named 'Leo' dances around the stage holding the mic stand his hair flying flailing arms during a manic song 'Step Up', the crowd is getting into it too.

 

Then 'Living Fiction' 'Oh my god can it be!! this just never happens a first act being pretty epic,but 'White' most certainly are just that,the songs are Groovy Indie Disco but at the same time quite unique its possibly the best band I've stumbled across since ... well since 'White Lies' of course and that was nearly 10 years ago.

 

I and most of the 'White Lies' crew in our crowd were suitably impressed by this band that everyone was dancing the crowd got a bit bigger by the time they played 'Sweat' and the even more funky 'hands in the air' lets lose our shit "Future Pleasures' I'm feeling euphoric "Yes I think I've just witnessed the future of 'Rock N Roll' ''. 

 

No need to see any other bands now that as good as it gets ha, the band are from 'Glasgow' at the moment there's no plans to  do another live show here til next year sob.... I bag a setlist from 'Leo' and discover later that I can buy a FULL album online,and so I do almost immediately.

 

Next band on are 'Airways' seen them with 'Nothing But Theives' last year along with the now soon to be disbanded 'Vant'. Tonight they have got  it together I  particularly noticed on my right the guitarist using fuzz and wah wah and feedback to a better effect than last time they found their way with the image a bit than they had just 10 months ago their sound has grown.

 

Its  now the turn of 'Toy' a long haired brooding guitar band,who have a droning sound and oh dear lord what a racket it is, its times like these earplugs are essential the singers vocals drowned out in the spacious warehouse ,its just noise the crowd though have expanded  and more people pack in and are dancing about to 'Toy's sound oh well you can't accuse me of 'Falling In With The Crowd'. 

 

'Spring King' are next the singer plays the drums and  they are another Indie style act they supported 'Kaiser Cheifs' a couple of times, they're sort of  a friendlier version of 'Slaves'without the pogoing, and more band members quite an entertaining set I liked it.

 

9.30pm almost time for 'The Horrors' really excited love their sound these days 'Skying' is a great album and hope to enjoy the new tracks as they've just released a new album 'V', you can't really see a lot when they come on for the dry ice being pumped out and lasers, 'Faris' is very tall his shadowy figure in front of the mic stand, with a unique percussion section to the right a pyramid drum machine, they play a new track 'Hologram' it sounds like late 70's synth pop the hook addictive and mesmerising as the synth swirls.

 

 

 

 

 

They play one of my fav tracks 'Still Life' from 'Skying' they played a few from 'Primary Colours' but main focus was 'New album tracks tonight as it was only an hour slot, so much so that the set was not long enough so I'll see them again, they were great. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Now it's time for the boys from 'White Lies' to close the event as they take to the stage the crowd is suddenly massive ,as they notice the sea of 'White Lies' t-shirts as eager fans cheer and greet them they look very impressed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 'Swing' has been added but 'Getting Even' has gone as the boys also have an hour slot most of the crowd have come just to see the band its a great atmosphere, the time passes quickly as the chiselled down set comes round 'Big Tv' and 'Bigger Than Us' with white confetti blasting from canons either side and great white balloons bouncing over the crowd's head. One finds its way over to 'Harry's mic stand and belts back, the band come over to take a bow as balloons are going everywhere. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After I find out a revelation 'Charles' dosent like 'Balloons' at all actually then its time to leave for home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I arrive in 'Liverpool' only a few weeks later its surprisingly sunny this afternoon ,we are waiting for one of the bands to finish soundchecking.

 

Once inside its another warehouse building but smaller than 'Manchester's, the stage is over to the left but wait .......somethings missing  'No Barriers' we stand up and lean on the low  stage, chatting and relaxing til the next band it's a special end of tour show with much of the 'White Lies' fanbase present.

 

The stage is small, and built into the wall is a huge fan rotating round, ah so that's why its called 'Invisible Wind Factory' but as I watch it I cant help thinking of a scene from 'James Bond'  first band on are' Arno' and then 'Caro' (Whom I've seen last year at 'On Roundhay) they've both been doing small festivals, then 2 experimental instrumentalists 'Law Of The Land' did nothing for me just guitars and no vocals works only for a b-side not a full album, but that's my opinion.

 

 

The next band 'The Bohos' from Liverpool and the vocalist/guitarist is a cheeky lad pulling his face at my camera, missed the moment sorry ,they are good though despite the high jinks. 

 

 

 Now theres a change in the set up as we welcome on stage 'Black Honey', they are touring with 'Royal Blood' next month, and are from 'Brighton' the two guys are wearing leather jackets and,then female vocalist walks on stage, wearing only a blouse/ shirt and  Red PVC High Heeled boots,the stage is so low so the view  is a bit too much for my eyes.

 

 

 This aside whilst averting my gaze,the band were actually great think 'Blondie' and 'Hole' they will be the next BIG  Female fronted rock band from U.K. , one song is actually called 'Madonna' perhaps she may be a fan of the 'Queen Of Pop' too.

 

 

During the second half of the set she goes walkabout, for at least a good few minutes she upped and went, don't know why technical issues? ,but after much confusion she walks back on stage saying 'Liverpool you've been great Thanks', she starts another song then she climbs over the amp nearly boots my mates handbag off the edge and got too close to my face almost, she decides to sit down and sing she did apologise quietly but still.

 

 

 

They are definitely a band to watch on the rock scene ,she'll be a teenage boys pin up soon. 9.30pm the stage clears down for the boys equipment, It's the last time we'll see 'Jack's 'Friends' artwork drumskin its only now I realise this.

 

It seems to be full again of hardcore 'White Lies' fans including me and 'White Liars' facebook crew,its like a great reunion my best mate is also present tonight from her European adventures, its going to be emotional. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As 'Harry' walks on stage literally over our heads at one point he says a quick Hello to the crowd, beaming at the masses before beginning the show. 

 

 

 

Tonight 'EST' is in the set again its a welcome return from their debut 'To Lose My Life' & we also get 'A Place To Hide' the crowd are loving this special gig.  We even get the good ole 'Ritual' track 'Streetlights' which they rarely play but its their fav 'Ritual' track  (well that and 'Peace & Quiet' favoured by 'Harry') then it was on with the usual 'Friends' album tracks,there seemed to be more excitement and emotion on the stage.

 

 

 

 By the encore it was almost time to close the chapter on 'Friends' the white confetti minus balloons this time as the band say "Thank You Liverpool, we hope to see you sometime soon, Goodnight".

 

 

 I had a moment realising it's the last show, waving goodbye  after I had a problem moving.. no I did, I couldn't move, I danced so much in my heels I couldn't put my feet down *Pained*, the shame, I hastily dashed bootless I say dashed ...minced on the pavement so I was rescued by a good friend/guardian angel who kindly lent me her trainers so I could stand up and talk to the band *Embaressment* .

 

I manage to get a quick chat with 'Charles' and he signs my poster before he rushes off amid requests for selfies which he always kindly stops for, and  then 'Tommy' before going over to see 'Jack' and 'Harry' I got unexpectedly emotional "I'm going to miss you guys" I tell him he smiles and shrugs positively "Ah we'll be back soon need to take some time off , we're working on the new album" but I'm also told there may be festivals next year. 

 

 

So there you have it hopefully they wont be gone too long and will return fresh from the break with a new direction .. *Emotional Endings*.  

 

 

 

 

Put Your Own Caption that you like for this one !! LOL

 

 

Lmi xo 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tori Amos -Native Invader Tour The Palace Theatre Manchester October 5th 2017

  Tori Amos

Native Invader Tour

Manchester Palace Theatre October 5th 2017

 

For this artist most of you will have to cast your mind back to the Mid 90's Era, 'Tori' is from American Indian heritage, who now resides in Cornwall U.K. ,happily married to her producer husband.

 

I recall her seeing a lot of her videos that were unsual and a talking point, she's a talented Piano player, and a pioneer for |womens rights, her songs are emotional journey's for example 'Silent All These Years', in America she released album's as early as the late 1980s along with Canadian songtress 'Alanis Morrisette' a couple of years ago they toured together in the U.S., but she is more known today as a talented songwriter. 

 

My Favourite 'Tori Amos' song is actually 'Cornflake Girl' but I'm told she hates it these days , for those who still don't know her the only other song people may remember is a dance mix 'Professional Widow' from 1996/7 with 'Tori' holding snake throughout the video. 

 

 

I was one of the lucky few to meet the lady herself before her show this evening, and she was very sweet and lovely she asked me name, where I'm from and took my hands which were quite cold from walking around outside in the October rain, her hands were warm as toast we had a brief chat before she had to continue meeting more guests.

 

So again later on I arrive at 'The Palace Theatre' for the performance with very good friend and avid 'Tori' Fan and member of the #KylieMassive  'Jase' it thanks to him I've the opportunity to attend the show,we take to our seats 3 rows from the front the theatre is tiny, stage lower than standard small venues it's quite special  with lush 'Red Velvet' Seats and Décor and antique theatrical curtains. 

 

The band supporting 'Tori' tonight are 'Bell X1' from Dublin they play acoustic guitars and percussion reminding me of a 'Kodaline' vibe but more downbeat than pop more folk really, they are relatively chatty tonight and quite witty,heard of them somewhere before but can't remember. 

 

At 9pm 'Tori' arrives on stage her flaming red hair much darker than her early years,still long around her shoulders, but now looking astute wearing spectacles and Sea Green coloured trousers with a lovely Peacock print blouse, draped sleeves at the wrist,her heels of choice are stiletto, she looks very relaxed and pleased with the initial warm reception.  

 

 

 

"Hello Manchester" she purrs she's known for a soft husky voice, she speaks in loud and quiet tones like no other performer I've seen, this being  particularly noticeable when she sings the quieter piano pieces she can also play it very fast, she's classically trained it's breathtaking to watch her play. 

 

 

 

She tells us "We're going to play a bunch of requests I have them here" she produces a long list the crowd whoop in delight "There's some surprise's on here 'Manchester' and not as you expect ". 

 

'Tori' sits perched at the piano only swinging round to play opposite facing keyboard/organ,it's all about the music (No self plugging intended) with her she sings 'Climb' and later 'Toast' within another song 'Upside Down 2' she cleverly brings in a cover of 'Don't Look Back In Anger' by 'Oasis' the theme of the moment for 'Manchester' this year,  after ..a self penned tribute about 'Mancunian Girl's its such an emotional uplifting compliment and even more so as she says she admires the 'Mancunian' Spirit. 

 

 

 

She later sings 'Mother', and basically a lot from across her Ten or so albums 'Under the Pink' ,'Little Earthquakes' and of course mainly a few from her latest 'Native Invader' album, the screens and lighting are beautiful with landscapes, beautiful coloured lights and , its very fast moving, there's even a section in the set named 'Fake Muse Network' nothing to do with the band lol. 

 

 

 She interacts with the crowd very well , the fans are lapping it up tonight and by the time we get to the encore and everyone gives her a standing ovation, she begins the last song and there is time for one more surprise the end of 'Cornflake Girl' is played she dosent normally play it anywhere.. but I witnessed it what a fantastic end to a captivating show, as she takes a bow and says Goodnight. 

 

 Lmi xo 

 

 Next up ....

That Oh so Important New Discovery

 

...and

'White Lies' end the Friends campaign as we come to the end of their Touring year on an emotional high.