Gary Numan - Photoscapes
by Melanie Smith
published: 9 / 7 / 2014
intro
Melanie Smith photographs pioneering electro musician Gary Numan at a show at 53 Degrees in Preston
It was to be my first Gary Numan show. The afternoon of the show saw the 80's electro singer/songwriter Gary Numan tweet the following message "Last three nights in bed I've had sweats and shivers. Thought I'd beat the bug but today I've virtually no voice (a mixed blessing I admit). GN. " And so it was with some trepidation that we hauled ourselves over to Preston's 53 Degrees, wondering if he would be performing or not tonight. The room had started to fill up well, and Numan's die hard fans were out in full force. Numan appeared just after 9 p.m. running a little behind schedule, encased in a dark haze of thick blue smog, wearing his trademark uniform of black. It was nightmarish and gothic laden with metal overtones, and the scene was set. He proceeded to create the atmosphere for those industrial slabs of noise, bellowing bass lines and haunting keyboard vibrations which shook our very core. Playing a mixture of old and new tracks for almost two hours, Gary was the little trooper as he battled on...his voice was a little weak but the show had to go on. Shards of white lights interspersed with the darkness, creating a fabulous dramatic show. He didn't speak a single word between songs, no banter, no introductions, nothing but the songs conveyed all and were understood by his worshippers! Numan gave a croaky "thank you" as he left the stage, and then chants of "Numan Numan" began, and he was back with a big grin and an encore of 'I Die You Die', followed by 'Are Friends Electric?'...sing-a-longs and dancing ensued all around. You might say it was electric! Set List: Resurrection I Am Dust Metal Everything Comes Down to This Films Here in the Black The Fall The Calling Down in the Park Lost Cars Pure Splinter We're the Unforgiven Love Hurt Bleed A Prayer for the Unknown Encore: I Die You Die Are Friends Electric? My Last Day Photos: Melanie Smith www.mudkissphotography.com
Article Links:-
http://www.mudkissphotography.comBand Links:-
https://garynuman.com/https://www.facebook.com/GaryNumanOfficial/
https://garynuman.lnk.to/TwitterWE
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2013) |
Paul Waller talks to Gary Numan about his much acclaimed new album 'Splinter', his recent move to Los Angeles and his early 80's career |
Interview (2011) |
live reviews |
Forum, London, 23/10/2015 |
Dave Goodwin at the Forum in London watches Gary Numan at the end of a three night residency play all of his 1980 album 'Telekon' and perform an astounding set which Numan has said is probably the best gig of his career |
Gary Numan/Gang of Four - Hammersmith Apollo, London, 28/11/2014 |
Rock City, Nottingham, 10/11/2013 |
Rock City, Nottingham, 8/12/2012 |
ABC, Glasgow, 23/5/2012 |
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Photoscapes (2022) |
Andrew Twambley takes photographs of Gary Numan at a show at the Albert Hall in Manchester. |
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Dead Son Rising (2011) |
Triumphant latest album from Gary Numan who thirty three years on from his first release shows no sign of slowing down and which showcases some of his best work |
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