Gary Numan – Brighton Concorde 2 – 24th June 2025
Playing the second of three nights at the 650-standing venue, Concorde 2 in Brighton, this was always going to be an intense and unique night. With these shows being a warm-up for his forthcoming Glastonbury set, it was always going to be special seeing Gary Numan in such a close and intimate environment.
He opens the set with Halo from the jagged album. The familiar electronic drone builds until the band arrive, and then they are straight into it. Numan is bent over his microphone and spits out the lyrics whilst lead guitarist Steve Harris and bassist Tim Slade prowl the stage, the three combined like an unholy trinity.
On finishing, Numan announces that he’s struggling physically, “Something’s not right with me today. My eyes are f*cked, I can’t see anything at all, I can’t hear properly, so no make-up for the first time ever! It feels a bit weird, and I’m really giddy. So…if it’s not quite what you’re used to, I do apologise.” Although, if it weren’t for that announcement, no one would have known as he blasts into the Chosen. There is no holding the man back tonight. If this is what he’s like, being a bit under the weather, then God help us on a good night.
From this, we’re into Metal and In a Dark Place, as Numan and the band drive the frenzied audience wild. The sound these days is more industrial metal with some slabs of sound effects and industrial synth beats. Musically, we are as far away from the eighties nu-romanticism as we can be. But Numan has always been eclectic. He’s not stuck to fads or labels that others want to drape him with. He is his own man and, like Bowie, will reinvent himself and take his music where he wants. There’s nothing wrong with progression to keep things fresh.
As the familiar keyboard intro of Cars swells out from the speakers, the dancing throng can’t help but raise hands and sing along. It may be an old classic, but to many of the faithful here tonight, it’s just another song. He’s written so many great tunes over the years. This is just one of many.
Then we are into proud father moment as he brings onto the stage his two daughters, firstly Raven Numan, with whom he plays one of her own songs, Nothing’s What It Seems, a chunk of brash bravado which fits perfectly into the set before his other daughter Persia, joins him to provide additional vocals on My Name Is Ruin.
A further step back down memory Lane sees Are Friends Electric and Down In The Park, both from the Replica’s album played back to back. The fans chant along with the familiar chorus line of the early Tubeway Army hits.
From back in the past, we are then brought right up to date with two songs from the Savage: Songs From A Broken World album, Ghost Nation and Pray For the Pain, two excellent songs which drive through the neurotic core of those lucky enough to be witnessing this niche performance.
The set closes out with an acidic I Die You Die from the Telekon album before Numan, and the band take a well-deserved break. Although this is short and sweet and probably just enough time for Gary to wash the sweat from his face before they return to a thundering Films, another trip back to the Pleasure Principle, yet masterfully updated for the new age.
The set ends with Here In The Black, a tasty ending if ever there was one. With Numan being back on tour later this year and in Brighton at the considerably larger Brighton Centre (22 November 2025), this was a wonderful precursor. It’s not every day you get to hear a quality icon of Numans standing in a club environment, and this was something very special indeed. Frustratingly, I was only able to access one of the nights. For those who did all three, they will no doubt be some of their greatest memories.
WORDS: ADRIAN STONLEY PHOTOS: CRIS WATKINS
Setlist
- Halo [Jagged]
- The Chosen [Intruder]
- Metal [The Pleasure Principle]
- In a Dark Place [Jagged]
- Pure [Pure]I Die. You Die
- Cars [The Pleasure Principle]
- Haunted [Jagged]
- Everything Comes Down to This [Splinter]
- Nothing’s What It Seems (Raven Numan cover) (with Raven Numan)
- My Name Is Ruin [Savage]
- A Prayer for the Unborn [Pure]
- Are ‘Friends’ Electric? (Tubeway Army song) [Replicas]
- Down in the Park [Replicas]
- Ghost Nation (Tour Debut) [Savage: Songs From A Broken World]
- Pray for the Pain You Serve (Tour Debut) Savage: Songs From A Broken World]
- I Die: You Die [Telekon]
Encore:
- Films (Tour Debut) [The Pleasure Principle]
- Here in the Black [Splinter]
