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[dreadedxuk]

Gary Numan – Liverpool Exhibition Centre 27/07/17

Numanoids turn out in force for first gig of 'Savage' tour...

The first show of the 'Savage' album tour kicked off in the North West of the UK tonight as fans eagerly anticipate the follow up to 2013's 'Splinter' record. The new album is out in September and tonight sparked a run of a handful of dates to wet people's appetites in the mean time.

Supporting Gary and Co tonight were another band of the same origin era, Gang Of Four. With a more punk feel to their music, although intriguing in parts, provided little in the way of capturing tonight's audience I thought. Especially from a neutrals point of view. Gang Of Four were on stage for just under an hour.

When Gary Numan took to the stage it was too huge applause and cheers as usual. Gary's fan base make a point of chanting his name and applauding every song the same way. Tonight's crowd saw a massive three thousand people pack into a very spacious venue. This was the venue's first host to a live music performance. Unfortunately it showed from the off as the floor plan was shambolic. The standing audience was pushed far back to allow the seated crowd in front. A rail span from one side to the other to completely segregate both ticket types. It was like nothing I had seen at a show of the same ilk before. Very bizarre idea indeed. If they wanted to accommodate a seating arrangement, this should have been arranged at the back or sides of the room with a raised floor or steps of some kind with chairs on top. As mind boggling as this was to everyone, Gary actually agreed and after a couple of songs complained about the unused space at the front and told people to come down and closer to the stage. A lot did although half of the people were still seated while the ones who actually paid to stand were left struggling to get a good view from the back. Aside from this the band themselves were great. Pumping out hits old and new with vigorous effect.  We were treated to five new songs which was fantastic. They sounded brilliant and I can't wait to hear the album in full.  Of the five new tracks four were live debuts. First was 'Bed Of Thorns' which was played for the first time last year at the final show of that tour in London. This was also used in the film soundtrack to 'Ghost In The Shell' out earlier this year. The other four tracks that were completely new to the live circuit and currently unreleased are the very impressive 'Ghost Nation', 'Mercy', 'When The World Comes Apart' and the lead single 'My Name Is Ruin' which featured his eleven year old daughter, Persia!  Persia's first ever live performance was adorable! She absolutely nailed it and it was an extremely proud moment for Gary. Tonight's set was superb and although featuring more of this recent material, we also got a taste of some old classics from The Pleasure Principle and Replicas of course.  The likes of 'Cars', 'Films', 'M.E' and the industrious 'Metal' all on form. While 'Down In The Park' and 'Are Friends Electric?' closed the show out in the encore. The songs from previous record 'Splinter' included 'Everything Comes Down To This', 'Here In The Black', 'Love Hurt Bleed' and 'We're The Unforgiven'. The emotionally epic 'Prayer For The Unborn' from album 'Pure' had it's usual awe inspiring moment and 2006's 'Jagged' featured 'Pressure' and it's self titled awesome remix (Jagged Edge).

Gary on tour doing what he loves doing is always going to be something special. I've seen enough of his shows now to realise that. He thrives on the emotion of the songs to help him convey his own unique style and does so thrillingly. Tonight's stage show was very good. The pole type lights I am a fan of and look particularly effective in most songs. The appearance of Persia for 'My Name Is Ruin' was utterly compelling. I just wonder if her presence on that track will continue for the whole tour or whether it is merely a special one off. I believe she has a promising future in the business nonetheless! The venue was perfect apart from the floor setup as already mentioned. If that part was done correctly in the first place I think a lot more people would have been happy and not had to complain about the viewing conditions. I was glad Gary acknowledge this both on stage and after via social media.

Now to Manchester in October for a post release album show!

*TRICK 'N' TREAT*

TRICK:- Standing / Seating floor setup.

TREAT:- Five new songs from 'Savage'.

                Great track selection from newer albums.

                Persia singing on 'My Name Is Ruin'.

[djandyuk]

Starship are meant to fly #liverpoolexhibitioncentre #comicconliverpool #liverpool #comiccon2018 #battlestargalactica #starfighter #cylon #Starbuck #ragbob #colony #handyandyipa (at Exhibition Centre Liverpool)

[dreadedxuk]

Gary Numan - Liverpool Exhibition Centre 27/07/17. #garynuman #liverpoolexhibitioncentre