Guildhall Preston 23rd September 1987

 

Many thanks to Mark for sharing this gig from the 'Exhibition Tour' of 1987. This is a full set recording as opposed to the Glasgow Radio Clyde broadcast posted some time ago. Thanks for the share, it's much appreciated. I saw him in Guildford at this time. The set is notable for the inclusion of 'The Sleeproom' and 'My Breathing', the strongest two tracks from the 'Strange Charm' album in my opinion.

Mark came back to me to point out that there was an issue with 'Metal'. This is now rectified and the corrected track can be accessed via the link below.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-DHe7itwGl7
FLAC (Metal only): https://we.tl/t-yNb9rQzH5U

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-ulJ5r3RhiB

Radio Interview September 1980

 

Here's a UK radio interview from the first week of September 1980 (based on the reference to the 'Teletour' kicking off on the coming Thursday in Birmingham (4th September)) and sorry, the radio station is unknown, with no pointers in the discussion. In a rather awkward interview, typical of the time, Gary opines on influences, critisism and the very recent decision to stop touring.

MP3: https://we.tl/t-aU6U3xXVgD

Bristol Hippodrome 12th September 1980

 

Listening to 'Like a B-Film' has put me in a 'Telekon' mood. Here is a noisy audience recording from Bristol on the original tour.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-uZvZtvL8xv

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-sFAX5NLMAZ

Telekon 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition

 

By my own admission I can be quite cynical about reissues, but just sometimes, they come with something special. Numan is very prolific these days with releases beyond his studio album output. No problem with this, and I have to say that whilst these releases do not come cheap, the people in the Numan camp are very adept at putting together very desirable, brilliantly presented material.

Such is the case with the new 45th anniversary expanded edition of 'Telekon'. I have preordered the top of the range vinyl release and the CD version (force of habit that). Since ordering I have been listening to 'Like a B-Film' on heavy rotation! What a discovery! It is genuinely exiting to hear something completely new from 1980. I can only wonder about the decision making that left this track of the final cut of the original album. Whether as an album track or a B-side, 'Like a B-Film' was certainly good enough to see the light of day at the time.

Situations like this only ever make me wonder what else lies in the vaults in forgotten cannisters of studio tape. Remember how exciting it was back in '83/'84 to be presented with a wealth of 'unknown' material when the Tubeway Army E.P.s and 'The Plan' appeared. But for now, one track will suffice and its a good one!

Inked Again!

 

'Grey overcoat and he could be anyone

A random poll check, "Do you ever think of women?"

They broke him down into a torn old queen

Living somewhere between dead and dying.'

Gary Numan

21cm x 30cm linoprint

Black ink on cream card.

Gary Numan And Little Boots BBC 6 Music Session DVD

 

Here's one of those musical collaboration sessions that BBC 6 Music do so very well. This is some years old now but thoroughly enjoyable. I have two versions of this, One that I authoured myself and this one, which either came from Dime or Punktorrents. Many thanks to the original uploader! The audio of this is also currently on this site, just search under 2009 and it will come up.

DVD Image: https://we.tl/t-bZcQ3rVqkB

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-ujIve2eJ3B

Ultravox Crystal Palace London 13th June 1981

 

So this is where the last two Ultravox posts have been leading too... a Summer's afternoon  and early evening in South London spent in the presence of one of the most mismatched all-dayer billing I have seen in a long time. It took an internet search to learn that Sponooch were a Hot Gossip spin off dance/music troupe... and with that the line up became yet more bizarre!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-ZU0kiwSkLj

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-A23nUVqAWg

If these two gig reviews are anything to go by the event was not exactly a runnaway success!

New Musical Express (20th June 1981)

Record Mirror (20th June 1981)

Accounts of people in the lake reminded me of a gig that my mate went to see (since The March Violets were on the bill). It was an anti-heroin gig in August 1985, the same kind of all day event at the same venue. Once again the stage was separated from the punters by a moat of sorts that inevitably filled with people over the course of the day.

If you thought that the 'Summer In The City '81' line up made for an particularly ill-assorted collection of acts. Get this, the 'To Be Announced' special guest was none other than the 'Forces Sweetheart' Vera Lynn... imagine that Vera Lynne on the same bill as Hawkwind! And it did actually happen...

Vera Lynn with Hawkwind's Dave Brock

(Crystal Palace 24th August 1985)