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LIVE REVIEW
GARY NUMAN
NEWCASTLE CITY HALL
23/05/24
Having helped to pioneer the synth-pop revolution back in the late seventies and early eighties, Gary Numan has spent the best part of half a century creating iconic tracks that are instantly recognisable to millions around the world. And now, in 2024, Gary is on his 45th anniversary tour, and I was lucky enough to be at the Newcastle show to see the action live.
The crowd was a mixed bunch, which is always a good sign. From die-hard Numan fans that have followed him and his music since the beginning of his career to the present day, to a plethora of younger fans who all look just as eager to see the show and bring fresh energy to the party, The show time was 8 p.m., and with no support act, Newcastle City Hall was set for a night of unadulterated Numan.
The crowd was a mixed bunch, which is always a good sign. From die-hard Numan fans that have followed him and his music since the beginning of his career to the present day, to a plethora of younger fans who all look just as eager to see the show and bring fresh energy to the party, The show time was 8 p.m., and with no support act, Newcastle City Hall was set for a night of unadulterated Numan.
As the house lights dipped, plunging the room into darkness, flashes of light bounced across the stage. A large triangle made up of light bars glowed at the back of the stage, lighting up the auditorium as the musical intro played, building excitement. As the atmosphere reached its peak, the band made its way on stage. Led by a guitarist dressed in what appeared to be a black cassock, head shaven with a black line drawn down his face, another equally eery bass player stood, similarly dressed on stage right. Gary took to the stage, and the crowd erupted with cheers.
Gary, dressed in black and looking very much like he was ready to get the show started, looked in on the crowd with a huge smile that lit up the room almost as brightly as the huge light show that filled the stage. The night was to be a celebration of over four decades of music, and kicking off with 'Replicas' felt like the perfect place to start. Gary's iconic voice and rock star stage presence are incredible, not just considering how long he has been doing this but also for the way the crowd reacts to him.
Gary, dressed in black and looking very much like he was ready to get the show started, looked in on the crowd with a huge smile that lit up the room almost as brightly as the huge light show that filled the stage. The night was to be a celebration of over four decades of music, and kicking off with 'Replicas' felt like the perfect place to start. Gary's iconic voice and rock star stage presence are incredible, not just considering how long he has been doing this but also for the way the crowd reacts to him.
The night is filled with electro-synth sounds that are both haunting at times and invigorating from the start, alongside his more gothic punk sounds, which definitely added depth to the show. Gary may not be a big talker, but who comes to a show to listen to talking? Besides, it would have felt a bit weird breaking the momentum to have a chat; the atmosphere was incredible, and there was no room for banter. As you would expect, Gary spent a lot of time behind the keyboard, but he also played guitar and gave a stunning, punk rock-style performance when he had the six strings in hand. He took the time to come to the front of the stage, crouching down momentarily to get a good look at the crowd before losing himself in the music again.
Hats off to the lighting designer and techs; the light show was stunning and really helped the crowd to immerse themselves in the world that Gary had created for the couple of hours he was there. The extensive set was a decent mix of old and new, with possibly his most well-known tracks, "Cars" and "Are 'Friends' Electric," kept as a reward for his fans at the end of the night. The audience looked (and sounded) like they had the time of their lives that night. They definitely got value for money, but more importantly, they had great memories that will stay with them for sure.
Hats off to the lighting designer and techs; the light show was stunning and really helped the crowd to immerse themselves in the world that Gary had created for the couple of hours he was there. The extensive set was a decent mix of old and new, with possibly his most well-known tracks, "Cars" and "Are 'Friends' Electric," kept as a reward for his fans at the end of the night. The audience looked (and sounded) like they had the time of their lives that night. They definitely got value for money, but more importantly, they had great memories that will stay with them for sure.
