Gary Numan, Albert Hall. 18th May 2022

Well there’s no denying it, this is the most packed I’ve seen Albert Hall in ages. It’s rammed, it’s hot, expectations are high. We’re here for one Mr Numan and he’s here to test the foundations with some industrial synth rock bangers. Fucking hell it’s beautiful. The latest album is stunning and as they kick off with the title track ‘Intruder’, the place gets even hotter. With the light-show set to batshit and the bass levelling off somewhere around organ rearranging, the intent is clear. As the buzz saw guitars of ‘Halo’ rip through the crowd, Numan bounces around with the sort of energy that’d be impressive for a man half his age. Seriously he cuts an impressive figure, the shock of jet black hair, three red lines daubed down his face and the post apocalyptic wardrobe envied by Mad Max. I can’t see the drummer or bloke on keyboards well, but Numan is flanked by two tall bald lads with the guitars wearing skirts. I wish I was wearing a skirt too. Seriously it’s like a pressure cooker in here. ‘Metal’ brings a roar from the older patrons, but it’s a mix of young and old and the set reflects that too. There’s two sounds to Numan’s catalogue. The early cleaner stuff with those crisp synth melodies and the later dirtier stuff with pummelling bass and a hefty nod to NIN. It all sounds immense, but I’ve got to admit it’s the later stuff that ticks my box. ‘Is This World Not Enough’ sounds monumental as the bassist throws theatrical shapes without ever missing a note. I’m not sure if it’s just the skirt, but he looks fabulous. Live though, even songs like ‘Films’ sound heavy. Largely down to the live drums that get the shit kicked out of them beautifully throughout. Numan picks up a guitar for ‘Resurrection’ and somehow looks even cooler. He sounds bloody brilliant too. I mean like note perfect, powerful, it’s an impressive performance. I’ve been in a lot of enthusiastic audiences, but this is something else, especially down the front. I’ve not seen this sort of dedication since watching Morrissey, back before we all realised he was a complete prick. Gary isn’t a prick, he’s a national treasure. I always feel he gets a bad wrap, dismissed after those 80s hits. If you think it’s just ‘Cars’ and ‘Are Friends Electric’, you really need to catch up. By rights he should be selling out arenas and these songs are certainly enough to fill them, but I’m thankful to be able to witness this in Albert Hall. As brilliant as the new stuff is, I’m not gonna lie ‘Cars’ sounds monstrous. There’s not many 80s pop songs can still pack a punch like that. It’s telling that it’s just slipped in mid set though. Numan plays it, I guess it’s expected, but it’s not career defining. There’s too many other great songs to flex. ‘My Name is Ruin’ is an industrial goth anthem that’s followed by the absolute banger ‘Love Hurt Bleed’. It’s the soundtrack to the party as the world burns. Quite apt really. As the sweat flys and they close the set, Numan looking very happy with himself, seems as fresh as he did 90 minutes ago. The encore sees them back to finish with ‘Are Friends Electric’ and it’s as epic as you’d imagine. Always the reluctant star, he mouths his thank you’s as the faithful lift the roof for him. It’s a spectator gig. I’ve got three more this week, but I can’t see anything topping this. Right, I’m off to buy a skirt.