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Tour Bus parked up
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Popped into town at lunchtime and called past the Roadmender just to see who was about. Two people (Ellie and Graham) were already in the queue at 1 O'clock! They may well have been there earlier? Veterans of many a Gary Numan concert, determined to get a got pitch centre stage. They had travelled up from London and seemed more than happy in the sunshine. Told them that I would be back later, but not before 6pm as the doors not scheduled to open until 7:30 pm. I had a little wander around the back of the venue. The tour bus and container wagon were parked up at the side. One or two people getting on and off, no sign of Mr Numan though.
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Divine Shade
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This will be my first time seeing Gary Numan.At the start of my teenage years along with the likes of Blondie, The Police and the The Boomtown Rats, he was a firm favourite of mine. He has played the Roadmender before, back in 2019. Four years ago he also played The Derngate in Northampton. So no stranger to the county. This being the second of two nights he is playing at the Roadmender.Arriving around 6:15 it was good to see that the queue was minimal. I managed to get on the barrier stage right once the doors opened an hour or so later. A good thing too as my recent knee operation was a major concern. First up though we have the French band 'Divine Shade'. Described as 'Industrial Rock' with a combination of styles and influences. The set went quickly, always a good sign. The three piece band were impressive and made a good sound.
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The stage undergoes something of a metamorphosis into a futuristic setting with the aid of LED and RGB rope lights. The crowd has swelled to capacity expectations are high as we await the arrival of something very special. I have to admit to being very unfamiliar with much of what will be played tonight. I have dipped in and out you might say over the forty or so years. First song of the night is 'Halo' from the 2006 'Jagged' album. We then drop back to the classic, and possibly best known album 'The Pleasure Principle' from 1979 with 'Metal'. Quite an opening!
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| Tim Slade (Bass) |
The sound quality is a bit mixed at times but does settle down. I don't think the mix for 'Divine Shade' was ideal. Book-ending each side of the stage are the imposing figures of the band guitarists. Decked in flowing black robes and painted faces they give off a Gothic Ghoulish vibe. They provide the perfect foil for Mr Numan as he does his own thing, disappearing to the back at times to play his synth. Steve Harris (Lead Guitar) has been in the band for around 30 years. Pouting, gesturing and engaging with the crowd. You can't take your eyes off him. Equally striking and only slightly less scary is Tim Slade on Bass. Another long term band member. With all that is going on it can't fail to be a dramatic and highly charged evening. The 'Numanoids'(fans of Gary Numan) are loving every minute, but don't expect any verbal interaction. Tonight , as with all of the tour I imagine, it is just about the music. It is relentless too, pulsating , never letting up!
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Steve Harris
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He may be quiet, but he is certainly animated putting heart and soul into the emotions of the songs. By his own admission he is not a natural dancer, in the early days he didn't actually move very much at all. There is an energy about the performance, he looks fit and healthy, not bad at all for a 68 year old. Definitely a man who has fine-tuned his talent over the years, knowing exactly what his audience wants. The voice sounds great too, just like Gary Numan as he did all those years ago. I'm looking forward to the big hits of course. Before all that though there is the dystopian 'Down in the Park'. A song that was very much the theme around 1979 post Punk era. The song is definitely a 'live' favourite. I understand that the set list does vary from venue to venue. There are some changes from last night at the Roadmender too. No gig would be complete without 'Cars', or indeed 'Are Friends Electric' though. The latter originally with 'Tubeway Army'. A fantastic night it has been, everyone going home with a smile on their face, including Mr Numan.
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Setlist
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