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 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.
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