Gary Numan SXSW 2014 Review: New Wave pioneer delivers a short but sweet set of dark industrial swagger at Buffalo Billiard’s.
One of the most anticipated acts for SXSW 2014, Gary Numan’s been a busy bee this week, playing several sets over the course of the festival.
Click here for my list of Top 10 acts to catch at SXSW 2014
I had a chance to catch him yesterday at the free Buffalo Billard’s day show, and he didn’t disappoint.
From the opening synth snarl of I Am Dust from his excellent recent album Splinter: Songs From A Broken Mind, one thing was clear; the slow metamorphosis of Numan from synth-pop architect to Industrial rock elder statesman was complete.
Click here for my Splinter: Songs From A Broken Mind Review
Backed by a full rock band, Numan came out all smiles but then got serious, making dramatic poses amidst his signature alien vocal delivery.
He was primarily focused on vocals, but hopped on keyboards and guitar sporadically.
His set was mostly focused on the new album; the whisper to a tectonic shift of Here In The Black and truly excellent NIN-tinged Love, Hurt, Bleed.
Click here for Albums Revisited: NIN’s Downward Spiral Turns 20
But for those longing for his early work; he threw out a couple of bones. The whip crack Atari rock of Metal got the crowd moving.
But let’s face it, except for Numan-geeks like me, most people were there to hear one song, his timeless classic Cars. It sounded fresh, seismic and sexy, and got the crowd moving.
Unfortunately his two other vintage classics Down In The Park and Are Friends Electric were absent (he did play those during his Hype Hotel set.)
Click here to see where Numan’s album Replicas ranks on out list of Darkest Rock Albums.
The crowd wanted more, but his perfunctory SXSW set satiated those in the Lone Star state who’d never had a chance to see him previously. Always nice to see a pioneer still show relevancy and power this far into his career.
You can watch Numan’s set on getlive.ly by clicking here. But to watch you’ll need to download the app below:
