ALBUM REVIEW “1,000: Live at the Electric Ballroom” by Gary Numan
February 1978, and Gary Numan, then a punk rock-styled singer and songwriter with his band Tubeway Army, released their debut single That’s Too Bad through Beggar’s Banquet Records. Tubeway Army went on to have hits like Are’ ‘Friends Electric’ and Down in the Park, bringing electronic music to a whole new audience. In 1979 Gary went solo and had a string of worldwide hits with Cars, We Are Glass and I Die; We Die. By 1981, he headed to Wembley Arena, and performed what at the time he thought would be his final show, having made the decision to cease touring.
A decision, Gary very quickly realised was wrong. Fast forward to April 2023 – and Gary Numan walks out onto the stage at the Electric Ballroom on London, for his 1,000th live appearance. A true legend and an influence on so many artists that have followed in his footsteps. Never willing to rest on his legacy and tour old material, Gary has continued to write, and his sound has evolved over time to a deep, dark, post-apocalyptical tone, as good today as its ever been.
And as he hits the road to tour to mark the 45th anniversary of the Telekon album, Gary Numan has preserved that iconic 1,000th performance for all time - Welcome to “1,000: Live at the Electric Ballroom”
The show starts with the title track Splinter from 2013’s album “Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind)”, an incredibly sonically rich number packed with heavy industrial beats and heavy industrial atmosphere. As time has moved on, Numan’s voice has mellowed and adds an instantly recognisable and eerie edge to the lyrics. His delivery is assured and powerful with a soulful almost pagan lament feel to them.
We then head right back to a1978 and the single Cars from “The Pleasure Principle” one of his most iconic and recognisable hits. Ground breaking at the time, nowadays I sometimes find the old tracks hard to listen to. They were simplistic in their electronic structure, single waveform synth tones and robotic drums, you can see why with hindsight Gary split opinion. But what is great is that he has brought his old hits along his road of change and development, reimagining them, giving them a more complex mix and feel. And he does it so well, the old hit, as popular now as ever with its new live presence.
The mix between old and new is fantastic, and because of the way he has transformed his older material, its hard to tell between ! Is This World Not Enough from 2021’s “Intruder” is another slow burner, packed with gothic power and mystery.
We hop back to 2009’s “Jagged Edge” for In A Dark Place, a sweeping track, that undulated from dark quiet sections, and then erupting into power packed emotional chorus sections. It drives at you like a buzzsaw, raw and intense.
We head back to “Splinter” for Here in the Black one of my favourite tracks from that album. This is classic new new Numan, complex, multi-layered synth tones and sound effects. With whispered lyrics, it has an eerie atmosphere, and explodes into life in the breaks with stabbing orchestral synth tones.
We come right up to date with The Chosen from 2021’s “Intruder” album. A dramatic intro with an almost eastern flavour to it draws you in.
If you listen to one album through, I would suggest “Savage (Songs from a Broken World)” from 2018, and next up is My Name is Ruin for which he is joined on stage by his daughter Persia. A haunting wasteland of a song, backed with brutal harsh tones. Persia adds a vocal dynamic with an eastern chant like section in the breaks. Its dark, hard hitting and epic. But above all else, it’s catchy !
No live Numan set would be complete without the iconic I Die, You Die from 1980, a fan favourite that has everyone singing and chanting along to. 2000’s “Pure” serves up one of the most beautiful tracks Numan has created, the tender and emotional A Prayer for the Unborn it’s slow, powerful and subtle, but incredibly powerful.
As well as the more recent material, there are plenty of hits for the die hard fans too. Tubeway Army hit My Shadow In Vain, Metal (From 1979’s “The Pleasure Principle”) and Remind Me to Smile (1980’s “Telekon” are all favourites. I love that one of their earliest tracks That’s Too Bad makes an appearance. A reminder of Numan’s punk roots, the guitar heavy number is fast paced and punchy, but still sits so well alongside the more synth dominated modern material.
2000’s “Pure” serves up one of the most beautiful tracks Numan has created, the tender and emotional A Prayer for the Unborn it’s slow, powerful and subtle, but incredibly powerful. The album / show ends with Are Friends Electric, perhaps his most iconic piece. It feels untouched by time, as emotive and stark as it day back in the late 1970’s, and Numan’s voice also seems to go back in time, with a higher pitch. He asks “I hate to ask” and the crowd respond with “Are Friends electric”. Iconic, pure and simple.
Numan has always impressed me with his dogged refusal to rely on the old hits, and to strive to make new, and imaginative music. An icon, who is still experimenting and exploring and being a guide for so many artists.
“1,000: Live at the Electric Ballroom” is a powerful demonstration of evolution, development and a musicians deep love for his craft. An incredible milestone, and achievement, for someone, who almost walked away from live performances back in 1981 ! I can’t think of any other artist like him.
An incredible live album, a near perfect blend of old and new material. An impressive 9.0 from LiveWire Music.
Gary is back on the road, right now, touring the UK to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the release of his classic “Telekon” album. Support on the tour comes from his daughter Raven, and her own unique brand of industrial gothic-pop.
Check out the remaining dates below, and don’t miss the chance to catch a show !
Tickets for all remaining dates available HERE.
