Synth-pop defined much of the 1980s, and few artists shaped the genre as powerfully as Gary Numan.
A true pioneer of electronic music, the self-styled Master of the Moog helped spark a revolution in sound—and more than 45 years later, he’s still electrifying crowds with the same intensity.
Stopping at the Cambridge Corn Exchange near the end of his sold-out Telekon 45th Anniversary Tour, Numan and his band performed the entire chart-topping 1980 album to a thrilled audience.
With pyrotechnics, strobe lights, and band members who looked practically supercharged, the show was an all-senses experience—exactly what fans expect from an artist who doesn’t simply play music, but inhabits it.
Numan writhed and twisted to the dystopian rhythms like some futuristic machine brought to life, his energy forging a powerful connection with the crowd. Die-hard fans roared “Numaaaan” in tribute to their hero.
Taking the stage in red light and criss-crossing WWII-style search beams, Numan and his band were greeted by a packed house ready for a full retro-electro celebration.
They opened with the brilliant “This Wreckage,” instantly getting the room moving to the hypnotic pulse that kicks off the iconic album. Dressed in dark outfits with matching black stripes on their shaved heads, the guitarists flanked Numan like crew members of a Numan-style starship landing in Cambridge to amaze their loyal “Numanoids.”
The set delivered a treasure trove of Telekon favourites: the unforgettable “I Dream of Wires,” “Remember I Was Vapour,” “I Die: You Die,” and the haunting instrumental “Photograph,” featuring Numan on keyboards.
After performing “Please Push No More,” an emotional Numan knelt onstage, visibly moved by the crowd’s support—especially meaningful after a recent family loss that has made this tour personally challenging. A touching moment followed as he kissed his fingers and pointed skyward, receiving a heartfelt response from the audience.
Once composed, Numan surprised the crowd with a rare “lost” track from his archives.
He explained:
“When the 45th anniversary of Telekon came around, Beggars Banquet went through the old tapes looking for anything unreleased or unusual. They found a song called ‘Like a B-Film,’ an old demo that never made the album—probably because it’s so happy! I honestly don’t remember writing it at all, but it sounds like me, so I guess it must be.”
He laughed and added, “Remember, it was a reject—keep that in mind. But I thought you’d enjoy something different.”
Numan closed the main set with the superb “We Are Glass,” then returned for an encore featuring nostalgic Tubeway Army classics. The night ended on a high with a fantastic performance of “Down in the Park” from the 1979 album Replicas, the audience clapping along in unison.
As first-time Numan concertgoers but longtime admirers, we were a little disappointed he didn’t include “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?”—especially since it appeared on recent setlists. We knew “Cars” was unlikely, as he’s spoken about retiring it, but still hoped for “Friends” as a fitting finale.
Even so, Numan exceeded expectations. His stage presence was captivating, his vocals powerful, and his charisma undiminished. After 45 years, it’s remarkable how strongly he continues to command the stage and inspire generations of devoted fans.
