Gary Numan – O2 Ritz Manchester: Live Review

By Dominic Walsh on 25th May 2024 • ( 1 Comment )

Gary Numan is celebrating 45 years of Replicas and The Pleasure Principle. We are in Manchester for the first of three nights at the O2 Ritz.

1979

Much has been written of Gary Numan and his resurgence in the 21st century. A slew of industrial influenced albums and countless, and seemingly releltless, touring has seen one of music pioneers remain omnipresent. Whilst Gary Numan has kept his eyes on the road ahead rather than looking back, this current tour celebrating Replicas and The Pleasure Principle is pure nostalgia.

Replicas and The Pleasure Principle came along within six months of each other in 1979. The former was the second album from Tubeway Army and The Pleasure Principle was the first ‘solo’ album that Numan released. There is a wealth of material from the period. There are numerous reissues and versions of songs around with anniversary releases and reissues being commonplace over the lives of the albums.

NUMANOIDS

Manchester Ritz is never short of a queue for a gig. It is not rare to see queues snaking up Whitworth Street; tonight it turns the corner and continues past the Temple pub. The dress code is black; or dark variations of. There is an excitement in the air that you don’t get with every band you go and see. Gary Numan’s fans are one of the most devoted fanbases around. An array of tour shirts from yesteryear and more recently help showcase the sheer longevity of Gary Numan.

Inside Manchester Ritz, early punters are straight to the merch desk to get their hands on the limited 7″ single that has been available at tour shows. There are 100 available at each show. Such is the clamour for collecting Gary Numan material, it is clear to see that this is going to be a prized possession of many a fan. Unfortunately, some of the singles have appeared on secondary sites at astronomical prices – it is a bit of a kicker for the fans who miss out.

REPLICAS

Replicas opens the show in grand fashion. It is a swirling and all consuming start. Lights flicker and the band stride on cutting dark silhouettes. An ovation fitting for such an icon is offered by the Manchester masses. Before M.E. follows, the huge smile on Numan’s face is clear. During the whole evening, there isn’t a word uttered to the crowd save for the lyrics. The communication is purely through music; and the bond is unbreakable.

Me, I Disconnect From You has the crowd clapping along with the pulsing beat and distinct synth motif that adorns the introduction. Not for the first time, the influence of Kraftwerk is clear on We Have A Technical. A lot like Kraftwerk did with Minimum-Maximum in 2004, Gary Numan has taken his catalogue and given it fresh life. Whilst albums like Pure (2000) and the material following his millennial masterpiece are heavily industrial, the sound tonight has that harsh edge but the melodies and sounds of the original albums are not lost in swathes of industrial guitars. They are front and centre.

ELECTRONIC PUNK

In many parts of the set, the band take the songs back to their bare bones. The guitars ripple with punky edge and the bass rumbles around; holding everything together. Solo guitar work on Do You Need The Service? and Conversation punctuates the repetitive rhythms that are the bedrock to many of the songs.

Numan spends plenty of time underneath the illuminated triangle of the backdrop (a nod to the original stage set of the late 70’s), heavily involved in building the musical tapestry with his synth work.

Tracks is a mid set highlight; the sparse piano introduction is greeted with fervent applause. Many fans will have heard the songs from Replicas and The Pleasure Principle over the years, but getting to hear them altogether, on one night, is clearly a buzz for many.

When Numan picks up his guitar again for It Must Have Been Years, the most straight up ‘rock’ song of the set is just that. There are a few synth flourishes but this is more primal. It is another of many highlights of the entire night.

WE ARE SO FRAGILE

For all the album tracks that everyone laps up, the big hitters are still the absolute showstoppers. Down In The Park is a gothic rock masterpiece. It is a song that has been covered by artists far and wide. Numan leads the crowd in waving their arms throughout the song. They need no cajoling. It is an obligatory moment of participation. Again, the smile from Gary Numan lights up the room.

Metal is as visceral as ever and sees the main set into the home straight. The bass guitar work wriggles around the beat that drives the song. We Are So Fragile closes out the main portion of the set in pulsating fashion. The entirety of the audience claps along with the introduction. It is a short, sharp punch to finish. Lyrically, the words feel more apt and important in todays world.

We are so fragile
Advertising lies that are whiter than yours
We are so fragile they could give us a war
Just to keep us amused

ARE ‘FRIENDS’ ELECTRIC?

As the band leave the stage, there is really only one place to go. Cars speeds out over the crowd; Numan prowls the stage in his uniquely flamboyant way. Died in the wool Numan fans might bemoan hearing Cars again, but it doesn’t half kick the crowd into overdrive. Plus, the way that Gary Numan embraces the ‘hit’ is warming. There might have been no words shared from the stage, but the connection is clear to see.

Are ‘Friends’ Electric? tops off the night in glorious fashion. Manchester steps up when they’re asked if friends are electric, and the ‘woooaahhh’ chants are cathartic. Reciprocal claps from the stage and the crowd make for a perfect ending.

As an artist, and one that this writer has grown to love over the years, Gary Numan seems as invigorated as ever. Hopefully there will be another new album in the works and we get to see more of this iconic musical figure doing what he does best. He is truly a great.

The tour continues into June. If you have a ticket, you are one of the lucky ones and you are in for a treat.