Numan played 3 consecutive nights at Camden's Electric Ballroom with daughter Raven in support - Punktuation's Ruth Rae attended the first show:
It’s safe to say that Gary Numan is one of the UK’s music icons. There’s nothing comparable to his writing, a gritty Electronic/Rock fusion, which has won him hundreds of thousands of fans across the globe over the last 44 years.
Naturally he had no difficulty selling out three nights in one of London’s busiest venues, with ardent fans queuing for hours before the doors opened. Numan also offered paid meet-n-greets (something I’m not keen on!) which proved popular enough to have a high uptake.
Numan’s eldest daughter Raven joined him on the bill in the support slot – Gary playing his 998th show and Raven her 1st on Thursday 13th April, 2023. Raven has recently recorded her debut album with acclaimed composer & record producer Ade Fenton, who I was delighted to see on stage with her band, playing keyboards.
Also joining Raven was her sister Persia, (already known to the fans for providing backing vocals for her father’s hit single My Name Is Ruin), this time backing her elder sister. Both girls have obviously watched and learned from their dad, with Raven especially having a good stage presence. Musically Raven appears very much influenced by Gary, with a punchy electronic set, although her own touches are there – her songs are more upbeat. A drummer and guitarist completed the line-up for a set of fast paced numbers with barely a break between them. Raven smiled as the crowd roared their appreciation, while her obviously proud father watched from the balcony!
Nobody was sure what would be on Gary Numan’s set list, but as the band took their positions on the stage playing Resurrection, followed by Numan with his red striped facepaint, we were all happy to hear him open with a classic, Down In The Park.
For once there wasn’t too much smog on the stage – Numan gigs being notorious for over-use of the smoke machine – which made for clearer views and a more breathable atmosphere! The band were very tight – they seemed to be almost telepathically connected to one another.
The now 65 year old synth pioneer is still full of energy, contorting his body to his music – living proof that music keeps you young! Interestingly he played a lot of guitar during this show, which was very much one for the fans. I was happy to hear several of my favourites; Metal, That’s Too Bad and Cars from his earlier albums, and Love Hurt Bleed and My Name Is Ruin from his later ones.
The set was mixed up a bit for shows 999 and 1000, a good move as many fans had tickets for those performances in addition. Each night Numan included a song which hadn’t been played live for some time, (Exile, Rip, In A Dark Place respectively), further delighting his fans!
Overall, an excellent tribute to his career and his fans, and of course to his family who have supported him throughout. Numan and his band are currently touring North America – see his website for information and tickets.
Gary Numan’s next UK project is a series of acoustic shows, to be played at smaller venues across the country in October. This is an entirely new venture, a touring first for him and the band, so it will be interesting to see the master of electonic music going acoustic!
Tickets are on sale HERE
Main Photo and all photos: RUTH RAE
- Resurrection
- Down in the Park
- Pure
- My Shadow in Vain
- Metal
- Everything Comes Down to This
- That’s Too Bad
- The Machman
- Exile (First performance since 2002)
- Absolution
- The End of Things
- The Gift
- Cars
- Is This World Not Enough
- Here in the Black
- Love Hurt Bleed
- Pray for the Pain You Serve
- My Name Is Ruin
Encore:
- The Chosen
- Are ‘Friends’ Electric?
Follow Gary Numan on his Socials:
Need more Punk In Your Life?
Desperate Measures, London Hope & Anchor, 24th Oct 2026
Happy 45th birthday, Desperate Measures! The London-via-New-Zealand punks may have emerged in more innocent times, but the songs have aged well, and remain – sometimes
Cancer Bats/Ignite, London Dingwalls, 31st Oct 2026
Kudos is seriously due to all three bands performing tonight – not just for playing great sets, but for having covered pretty much the entire
Shake Some Acton Halloween Party, London Signature Brew Haggerston, 30th Oct 2026
You can always trust Shake Some Acton to throw a great party, and indeed, Mannie has pulled a frightfully good line-up out of the bag
Album review: Charlie Harper, Del Test Tube & the gang, cut the ribbon on new ‘Derik & The Disasters’ project
This album is a new release from some very familiar faces on the punk scene, and I’m happy to report that the results are anything
Slam Dunk Festival drops its second wave of bands for 2027!
18 NEW ACTS join the bill including Billy Talent, Cobra Starship, Superheaven, Joyce Manor, The Paradox, Amira Elfeky, Forever The Sickest Kids, The Family Business
EP Review: French punks Missratched drop ‘Miettes’
Meet Missratched. Despite not being known to many, the staunchly-DIY Lyon four-piece have actually been going since 2012 under various lineups, with demo and EP
Usually found jumping around down the front at gigs, I also relish taking photos and videos, singing, speaking with fellow music fans, and asking musicians the questions nobody else does. Writing about my favourite bands and connecting with people who love music too keeps me more-or-less sane! I’ve worked for over 25 years at a video production company, mainly filming live music events, therefore I have an additional backstage perspective on the scene.
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
