On this day, 7 September 1987, synth-pop pioneer Gary Numan played Cardiff’s St David’s Hall, the opening night of his Exhibition Tour. Support was provided by West Won.
In 1987, Numan's old label Beggars Banquet released the best-of compilation Exhibition, which reached No. 43 on the UK Albums Chart, and a remix of "Cars". The remix, titled "Cars (E Reg Model)" charted at No. 16, Numan's final top 20 hit until the 1996 re-release of the same song.
He entered the music industry as frontman of the new wave band Tubeway Army. After releasing two albums with the band, he released his debut solo album The Pleasure Principle in 1979, topping the UK Albums Chart. While his commercial popularity peaked in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits including "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars" (both of which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart), Numan maintains a cult following. He has sold over 10 million records.
Numan faced intense hostility from critics and fellow musicians in his early career, but has since come to be regarded as a pioneer of electronic music. He developed a signature sound consisting of heavy synthesiser hooks fed through guitar effects pedals, and is also known for his distinctive voice and androgynous "android" persona. In 2017, he received an Ivor Novello Award, the Inspiration Award, from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.
Band Members
Gary Numan - Vocals
Rrussell Bell - Guitar
Greg Brimstone - Drums
John Webb - Keyboards
Chris Payne - Keyboards
Nick Davis - Bass
Emma Chalmers - Backing Vocals
Valerie Chalmers - Backing Vocals
Setlist
01 - Call Out The Dogs
02 - I Die: You Die
03 - Creatures
04 - I Can't Stop
05 - Me! I Disconnect From You
06 - Tricks
07 - The Sleeproom
08 - My Breathing
09 - Strange Charm
10 - Cars
11 - Metal
12 - Sister Surprise
13 - This Disease
14 - We Take Mystery (To Bed)
15 - We Are Glass
16 - Are 'Friends' Electric ?
Encore 1.
17 - Down In The Park
18 - My Shadow In Vain
Encore 2.
19 - Berserker
