The Guild Theatre Menlo Park CA 8th April 2026

 

Here is a nice sounding recording from one of Numan's frequent dates in California. He and his band really do put some leg work in on the live front!

There's not so much of 'my Numan' in his usual live sets these days, although I have no cause for complaint when he has done so many brilliant retro tours. Listening to 'Films' tonight as I post this (always a favourite) I am transported to an afternoon with my mate Matthew Sands (RIP) spent on Littlehampton beach (Sussex, UK) listening to 'The Pleasure Principle' on an old, clunky tape recorder. It was the summer of 1981, we had started secondary  school the previous autumn and were getting madly into music. It was a great time.

Anyway enough of the pointless reminiscing. Thanks to the original Dime uploader (loughney).

Files will need conversion from 24 bit to 16 bit for those wishing to burn to CD.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-ERU7yhkhNM5qj4k8

Artwork:  https://we.tl/t-LyBDsaJsiCi7HOZ4

Opera House Blackpool 20th October 1983

 

Here's a recording that seems to have entered into circulation only recently. Numan on the Warriors tour in sunny Blackpool (perhaps not in October though). This is not a bad addition to the collection soundwise (despite a couple of dropouts) although sadly it is incomplete in terms of the set. Thanks to the original uploader on 101guitars (Juniper Jarro).

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-ffi0sUV0exm5EoGg

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-2uA1VMpaT4aHjXo5

OMD A Living History (USA March 2011)

Here's a great compilation that appeared on Dimeadozen a good few years ago (and apologies to the original uploader as I cannot find information in order to give credit). From the time of 'History Of Modern' (released in 2010), this collection is a mix of promotional appearances, soundcheck and gig at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles.

Here I must admit that I stopped buying OMD records after 'Dazzle Ships'. The first four albums are brilliant, but their poppier mid '80's material (the likes of 'Locomotion', 'Talking Loud & Clear' and 'Sailing On The Seven Seas') were far less appealing.... give me the bleak soundscape of 'Stanlow' any day!

Notwithstanding my indifference with respect to their later commercial material, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark still stand out as great and pioneering post-punk band and a big part of my teenage years.

The artwork provided is in a 'big box' CD format.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-Y3WykKxq7gx6QhN3

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-nvA4eb8LGjrkFHNQ

Disc One: A Brief History - Amoeba Records

01. A Brief Soundcheck
02. Electricity
03. History Of Modern (Part I)
04. If You Leave
05. Souvenir (Moby Version)
06. Maid Of Orleans
07. Sister Marie Says
08. Enola Gay

Disc One: A Practical History - Music Box Soundcheck

09. Taking Sides Again (Fades In)
10. Messages (Rehearsal Take)
11. Messages (Soundcheck)
12. Tesla Girls
13. Electricity
14. If You Leave
15. Sailing On The Seven Seas
16. Enola Gay
17. Joan Of Arc
18. New Babies: New Toys

Disc Two: A Complete History (Part I)

01. History Of Modern (Part III & IV)
02. New Babies: New Toys
03. Messages
04. Tesla Girls
05. Radio Waves
06. History Of Modern (Part I)
07. (Forever) Live And Die
08. If You Leave
09. Souvenir
10. Joan Of Arc
11. Made Of Orleans
12. New Holy Ground

Disc Three: A Complete History (Part II)

01. Green
02. Talking Loud And Clear
03. So In Love
04. Sister Marie Says
05. Locomotion
06. Dreaming
07. Sailing On The Seven Seas
08. Enola Gay
09. Encore Break
10. Walking On The Milky Way
11. Electricity

City Hall Sheffield 25th September 1983

 

Not London, but Sheffield for this 'Warriors' tour gig. Reasonable sounding audience recording.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-tOrrL1e2qW

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-2u7NvF8dqS

Hammersmith Odeon Warriors Review (New Musical Express 29th October 1983)

A rare appearance of Numan in the pages of New Musical Express as the editors consented to include a live review of one of the Warriors dates in London. Perhaps unsurprisingly I am left wondering 'Why did they bother?' NME hated Numan in 1979 and there was no discerning shift in that position come 1983. Do not expect any insightful thoughts on the gig... you have been warned.

There is no way of telling which of the three nights the NME reviewer attended, but the Hammersmith gig of 13th October, part of which was broadcast by BBC Radio 1, as part of their 'In Concert' series can be located here.

New Musical Express 29th October 1983

Park West Theatre Chicago 8th November 1982

It's strange to think that on this day, Numan's birthday, he turns 68 years of age. That means that I am kicking at the door of 60 myself. Taking the anniversary thing one step further it will be 44 years in September since the release of 'I, Assassin', which he toured in the US playing 19 dates in all. This gig from the Park West Theatre in Chicago was the last night of that tour. 

It is a pity that the material from the 'Dance'/'I, Assassin' period never got much of an airing in the UK (exceptions being, from memory, 'Stories' (Teletour) and 'She's Got Claws', 'Cry The Clock Said' and a 'Metal'/'Moral' hybrid (Wembley). I guess having gone high profile with his retirement pronouncements of the previous year, which an ever hostile music press interpreted to be a case of 'Take the money and run', to tour the UK in 1982 would have seen Numan shredded by his detractors.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-j8qozztaQ7

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-OzW3fTVTaQ

Melbourne Radio Interview May 1980

 

Here is a interview with Gary conducted at a local Melbourne based radio station ahead of his Touring Principle dates in the city at the Palais Theatre on the 19th and 20th May. In the interview Numan is typically self-effacing and happily laying out his career plans in music, video and air travel! 

I am assuming that this is a rebroadcast several years later on a more recent radio show as the commentary at the end is looking back (rather disparagingly it has to be said) at those dates in 1980. Only a short 10 minute interview but worth a listen if only for the gig promo ad which declared Numan to be the 'Bowie of the '80s'... oh how he must have squirmed!

MP3: https://we.tl/t-i0XjafyAnk