Gary Numan

Wembley Arena - UK Intruder Tour

Saturday May 7th 2022

By Robert Corich

Divine Shade, the starter band for Gary Numan’s UK tour kicked off the night proceedings at Wembley to a highly appreciative crowd. A surprising amount of punters clearly choosing to witness what the French connection could serve up. Sounding at times like Kraut Rock pioneers Can and Neu! mixed with an unhealthy dose of early Cure on speed, this is a band not to be missed! Their 45 minute stint was well worth witnessing and this is a band that if they continue to deliver won’t be left in the shade for long. A French Connection indeed.

Gary Numan’s key London show of a so far vibrant tour was always going to be interesting to witness with the star playing a venue he seemed to be daunted and haunted by 41 years ago. With the band sliding into place with aplomb Mr Numan waltzed onto the stage and grasped the mantle with vigour right from the start hammering out the title track of his latest studio effort, Intruder. Light show in full flash and swing right from the start it was clear we were in for a treat. Second up was ‘Remind Me To Smile’, a classic early days track lifted from 1980’s Telekon. ‘Halo’ was next, the only track lifted from his 2006 album Jagged. A great version of ‘Metal’ from ‘79’s Pleasure Principle was followed by ‘Ghost Nation’, the first of two tracks from the 2017 album Savage. Another track from Mr Numan’s latest effort was served up next as ‘The Gift’ with Gazelle Twin guesting. A pleasurable version of ‘Films’ followed and so did an epic version of ‘Pure’ from the turn of the century album of the same name. Title track of the 2011 album ‘Resurrection’ was next delivered in a almost trance like fashion before entering the sublime tones of ‘Down In The Park’ a track that has remained a staple of Numan’s concerts since the ‘Replicas’ album launched him to fame and fortune 43 years ago. It remains a true highlight every time I hear it and tonight was no exception. 

‘Dead Son Rising’ the second of two tracks from the album of the same name was next and this was the perfect launchpad for ‘Is The World Not Enough’, the third of five offerings from the latest release. Heavy, grinding but melodic, it really harks back to the Numan of forty odd years ago so ‘Every Day I Die’ from Tubeway Army’s debut was perfectly placed between the next newbie ‘A Black Sun’ which with it’s dark sonic tones made a wonderful listening experience. ‘My Name Is Ruin’ the second of two tracks from the Savage’ album was beautifully performed with Numan’s daughter Persia adding a sublime vibe. Then arrived the hits: ‘Cars’ probably Numan’s most famous single was delivered exactly as fans would expect and the follow on track ‘Me, I Disconnect From You’ once again a true highlight. Everyone connected despite the songs title. 

The dark ‘Love Hurt Bleed’ was the only track played from 2013’s Splinter album and this was followed by ‘The Chosen’ the last of the current studio album’s tracks. This also had a dark but satisfying delivery. Then it was back in the ‘Telekon’ time machine for the ever catchy ‘We Are Glass’ a classic track that was the perfect setup for the encores. The enthusiastic crowd welcomed ‘Jo The Waiter’ from the Tubeway Army album where it all started back in 1978. Then came the Pleasure Principle classic ‘M.E.’ which did not disappoint which in turn segued into ‘A Prayer For The Unborn’ from Pure and finally, pleasantly and predictably, the classic ‘Are My Friends Electric?’ The man, the band and his fans at the grand old lady that is Wembley Arena certainly were.  A night of epic and timeless Numan. 

All in all a staggeringly loud and heavy gig when the band where rocking but wonderfully gentle at times, often where least expected. Peppered with guests who are both family and friends was a beautiful touch and all delivered with a fantastic light show that definitely channeled the infamous gigs of just over forty years ago. 

Ghosts? I doubt it. Mr Numan it seems has shot the phantoms straight out the window and well out past the ball park. 

Setlist

1. Intruder

2. Remind Me To Smile

3. Halo

4. Metal

5. Ghost Nation

6. The Gift *

7. Films

8. Pure

9. Resurrection 

10. Down In The Park

11. Dead Sun Rising

12. Is This World Not Enough **

13. Every Day I Die ++

14. A Black Sun **

15. My Name Is Ruin ^

16. Cars

17. Me!, I Disconnect From You ^^

18. Love Hurt Bleed

19. The Chosen

20. We Are Glass

Encore: 

1. Jo The Waiter

2. M.E. ***

3. A Prayer For The Unborn

4. Are My Friends Electric? +

The Guests:

(With Gizelle Twin *) 

(With Raven & Persia Numan **) 

(With Raven, Persia, Echo Numan +) 

(With Raven Numan ++)

(With Persia Numan ^)

(With Tim Muddiman ^^)

(With Chris Payne & Rrussell Bell ***)