Gary Numan live at O2 Academy Bournemouth (19.11.2025) with Raven Numan supporting.
known as ‘The Gods’
RIP John Webb.
A statement on social media confirmed that Gary Numan’s brother John, aged 60 and also a musician, died after being with Gary for the gig in Leeds. After what must have been tortuous considerations and discussions with his dad, and with the blessing of John’s wife, the Gary Numan tour continues. Tough times.
To compound the family emotion, the support band tonight is Raven Numan, Gary’s daughter. She carries it off with a great set and a great band with her. No words between songs are needed. Like Gary Numan to follow, the room is respectful and supportive. It’s heavy with emotion.
The red and white Telekon LP cover design is up in lights as Gary comes on stage. This is an anniversary tour of the second Numan solo album, from 1980. Excellent for true long-term Numanoids – which I can’t claim to be one of.
The number one album was recorded at Shepperton Studios, a very local landmark of my suburban London youth.
First up, the single This Wreckage. Numan twists and bends – rock ballet. The sound is excellent, all night. I have found it astonishingly loud at times on previous Numan tours. No ear piece defences needed tonight…I suppose we are up the back.
No words from Gary. Hands across the chest occasionally and in the prayer of thanks position. He needs say nothing. It must be hard. We know. His voice is without blemish as he works through the Telekon gems. I have come to know it more in recent years, with a copy I got Gary to sign up in Manchester – I have more recent Numan history than most – older blog.
The lighting on this tour is exceptional. The slightly tiered stage and layers of light beams working with the stage smoke. Possibly the best non-arena lighting I can recall, really. It’s not incidental – it is part of the overall art form. Love it.
Please Push No More appears to be the song where the emotion bubbles up to the top. It’s melancholy and whatever it is about, it’s the song that hit him most and stalled him at the Birmingham gig….and fans will be aware of that.
The last two songs of the main Telekon set are the other singles, aside from tonight’s first song, This Wreckage – I Die, You Die, captured here on my YouTube channel, and We Are Glass.
A short break as appreciation is roared to the venue’s beautiful rafters. The band and Gary return with four Tubeway Army songs: My Shadow in Vain; inevitably the big classic, Are ‘Friends’ Electric; Listen to the Sirens and the wonderful Down in the Park to wrap things up.
An unforgettable evening which will be part of the incredible Numan story. It’s date seven on a 15 date UK tour. I hope he makes it through the tour as he wants to do, and he continues to get that huge support from fans to keep him going. And a thought for Raven also… what a challenge she is meeting, with her dad.
NUUUUU-MAN!
Gigs with Ivan 