Gary Numan

Overview

Ah Gary Numan: pioneering prince of synth, electro-pop adventurer, trailblazing troubadour of tech. At the crest of every new wave in music there are a few shining innovators who lead the charge of revolution in popular music and usher in new waves of sound to the masses. Gary Numan is one such star. Back in the early days of electronic music Numan played a significant part in bringing the genre out of its cavern of underground germination and into the light of mainstream interest and popular acclaim.

Picture this: in the punk-saturated musical landscape of late 1970's London, a recently-signed young Numan faced intense record company pressure to adhere to the commercially successful rock formula. Like any great revolutionary Numan stayed true to his progressive electronic sensibilities, swapped his guitars for synthesizers and against all odds released chart-topping albums like Replica (with band the Tubeway Army) and the Pleasure Principle (Numan gone solo). This breakout commercial success proved there was indeed a hungry market for electronic music as tracks like 'Are Friends Electric' and 'Cars' zoomed to the top of the UK charts. Numan's work has never lost its relevance and for those of us who love the Mighty Boosh's Vince Noir (aka Noel Fielding) we enjoyed the reverent nod to his genius in this cool BBC 4 TV series.

It's been over 30 years since these heady days of musical trailblazing but Numan's music remains as relevant today as it was then — such is the timeless and transcendent genius of artists like this. Now the man himself will deliver a show mixing old and new works — full delivery of the Pleasure Principle album and new material — at the Enmore Theatre for your listening pleasure. Australian electronic legends Severed Heads and New York-based electro duo Motor, who have supported the likes of Depeche Mode, are also on the bill.