Live Review: Gary Numan returns to the Roadmender for industrial synth rock masterclass

It’s been four years since the electronic pioneer was last in Northampton when he headlined Royal & Derngate.

This time around, Numan and his band were back at the venue they played in 2019, armed with all the industrial rock and electro-synth hits you could ask for from the musician.

Numan has been playing numerous dates at venues across the UK throughout July and his arrival in Northampton comes at the end of his UK tour – with just a sole show at the Crystal Palace Bowl remaining.

Thankfully, Numan and his crew have pulled out all the stops – packing every inch of the Roadmender stage with instruments and AV.

While the rear of the stage is decked out with LED strips, large runs of RGB rope have been snaked around the stage, instruments and backdrop, making the whole set up look like something from a neon-futuristic world, and one which pulses different colours all night.

It’s been five years since Numan’s last LP Intruder – and this tour isn’t teasing any new material.

As such, his 18-set song pulls from across his solo career and time in Tubeway Army.

From the minute Numan and his band take to the stage, the pace is relentless.

It’s hot in the Roadmender and the dark, pulsing industrial rock is punishingly loud. But, you wouldn’t want it any other way.

Numan’s live band extends to a further four members. While his drummer and keyboard player lurk in the shadows all night, his guitarist and bassist – dressed in identical long black robes – flank the frontman and are both given time to shine - both looking somewhat like extras from the set of Dune.

Numan opened with Halo from 2006’s Jagged LP before taking fans back to the late 1970s with M.E and Remind Me To Smile.

His set continues to flip between industrial juggernauts such as The Chosen and When The World Comes Apart and songs from earlier in his career – with tracks flowing effortlessly into each other.

Numan barely remains static all night. Whether he’s pulling back on the microphone, crouching and leaning towards the crowd, standing as a silhouetted figure arms aloft, or retreating to a vacant synth at the back of the stage, he’s constantly on the move.

Down In The Park is among the first of the ‘big hitters’ which while slowing the pace down, is lapped up by the sold-out crowd.

With both Cars and Metal not far behind, everyone is bobbing along, arms aloft.

There’s little chatter from Numan during his set. His interaction with those packed inside the venue extends to encouraging them to clap along at certain points then a brief ‘thanks’ at the end of the set before the encore.

Numan and his band return for the industrial stomp of Everything Bleeds before the finale of Are Friends Electric?

Gary Numan is one of the UK’s genuine musical pioneers who influenced countless others and it’s remarkable someone who’s been around since the late 1970s can still sound this good live.

While there’s been ups and downs along the way, you rarely come across artists still firing on as many cylinders as Numan does.

Gary Numan’s opening night at the Roadmender was faultless and there’s no reason to think the second night would be any different.

Hopefully we’ll be welcoming him back before the end of the decade for another electro-industrial, synth rock masterclass.

Gary Numan played:

Halo

M.E

Remind Me To Smile

The Chosen

Jagged

Mercy

Me I Disconnect From You

When The World Comes Apart

Down In The Park

Walking With Shadows

RIP

Cars

Metal

My Name Is Ruin

I Die: You Die

Love Hurt Blead

Are Friends Electric?