After sitting outside enjoying the sunshine on a nice evening in Wembley we are suddenly plunged into darkness inside the arena as support band Divine Shade take the stage. With the venue being sponsored by an energy company you would have thought they could pay the bills but it is actually quite effective and eerie. Naturally it’s all part of the act and this French trio are lit up by neon hued shades of red illuminating the stage quite spectacularly as they gather at the front of it utilising the small section around what looks to be a tiny drumkit at the front. It’s not though, just dwarfed and the second it is thwacked the power from the massive sound-system can be both seen and felt. This Lyon based act probably can’t believe their luck, 1st London show ever and right at the top of the crop, no need to work their way up here around the toilet club circuit. The sound is hugely effective, drums thud, jagged guitar and electronic embellishments are crystal clear and the clean vocals soar to the rafters. It might be due to the singer’s accent but I am reminded a little of The Young Gods at times and ‘From The Sky’ was definitely their ‘Skinflowers.’ Despite cries of ‘Numan’ resounding in every moment of silence, the crowd seemed quickly won over. Supporting such an icon with huge history is no easy task but the band took it in their stride. Moving from atmospheric and brooding, pulsating grace to slamming, pumped up power they may have been new to me too but they definitely gained some new friends tonight. Next time though they can prove themselves somewhere like The Electroworkz perhaps?

If you follow Gary Numan on social media you will see how happy and invigorated he has been to get back on the road after the two year hiatus, playing back at Wembley is a major highlight for him as he moves around the UK and it is for the fans, many attending their 1st show since lockdown. Suddenly it’s showtime and the place is rammed. Looking over the stage from the left-hand side of it, it’s not so bad having a seat and those lucky enough to be standing are rammed in as the screen lights up with visions of a planet on fire and the players troop on. Naturally as the frontman joins them for ‘Intruder,’ the first of what turns out to be a whopping 25 song set, yells of appreciation ring round the arena. We had been told that we were getting the biggest light show of Numan’s hefty career as well as the longest set ever played but really unless you were there, nothing could prepare you for such a complete all-round stimulation of the senses. One also can’t help but notice how supple this young at heart man is, gyrating his body into shapes and twisting around as the music morphs right back in time to the early 80’s with the anthemic ‘Remind Me To Smile’ of course we are all doing that right now.

There’s plenty of songs from recent album’s, no nostalgia act here and quite a few from the past. Some like ‘Metal’ may even have been forgotten after all these years but memories come flooding back as the ‘Pleasure Principle’ of the synapses is reignited and boots stomp along in time to it. The band are tight and the shaven headed guitarist and bassist on either side of Numan look like futuristic prophets straight out of David Lynch’s Dune as they move around. It turns out there are going to be various guests tonight, old and new. The first is electro composer Gazelle Twin adding her vocal talents to ‘The Gift’ another cut from the excellent new album. We had only just been wowed by green lasers shooting from stage to the back of the venue and the exotic sounding mysticism of this harmonious number gave the chance to grab a quick breath.

Mind you, heads are shortly after blown by green screen visuals and a barrage from a radioactive static storm. You got the feeling there were certain songs everyone was waiting for and ‘Down In The (Wembley) Park was certainly one of them. This Ballardian tale still sounds as futuristic as they day it was birthed in chrome and is met with an ecstatic response, everyone singing along. Numan seemed genuinely humbled by the response he was getting and more surprises are in store as the very proud dad invited daughters Raven and Persia on stage. I’m not sure if this is an occasional thing or a one off but either both or one of them were around for a few numbers nailing parts on ‘Is This World Not Enough.’ The pumped up ‘My Name Is Ruin’ with Persia is a particular highlight and the power behind it was immense.

Rules and regulations be damned, they are thrown out the window as soon as engines are fired up to the unmistakable sound of ‘Cars,’ everyone is up out of seats and dancing. The nearest (of the very polite) security guys took one look, shook head and gave up. Numan joins in on the keys adding a jiving furrow and lasers shoot out into the stratosphere. Previous long serving bassist Tim Muddiman re-joins the band for one song only and its another classic ‘Me I Disconnect From You.’ In this mobile age of technology one can only wonder how prescient this song was at time of writing and it ‘We Are Glass’ are highlights for the old guard of which there are many in attendance.

Numan looked shellshocked as he walked off the stage at the reaction he had got but there’s little time for composure as an encore is guaranteed. A cheeky acoustic Jo The Waiter was unexpected and so too was the false start for the Chris Payne & Russell Bell accompanied M.E. It gives everyone a laugh and if Wembley has a swear box still Numan will be adding to it at the end of the night laughing that after all these year’s he should remember how to play it. There could only be one last song with curfew imminent and over two hours-worth of songs and it proved that both friends and family are still very much electric Persia, Raven and third daughter Echo all getting in on the action and bringing a glorious night to conclusion. Yeah, I would have liked something from Dance, Warriors and Berserker ideally but it’s churlish to complain after such an unforgettable show, maybe next time!

(Pete Woods)