Before we cover the Gary Numan show at The Great Hall in Cardiff, the team at MetalTalk and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Numan family, who lost their close family member, John, just two days prior.
Despite being advertised as the 45th anniversary of Telekon, this tour has now become a tribute to John, who loved the album and would have wanted the tour to continue. We hope the whole family can find peace and comfort during this time, gratefully shared with the fans.
Gary Numan – Raven Numan
The Great Hall, Cardiff – 18 November 2025
Words And Photography: Georgia Brittain
There is a mix of fans here in Cardiff tonight, all in different styles of dress. I see a battle jacket, I see fellow goths and greebos, and I see the “normies”.
Considering Gary Numan’s diverse range of albums, all catering to different tastes, it really is not that much of a surprise.
The photo pit here tonight is tiny, due to being taken over by the lighting rig, which, after a chat with security, I find out is not even half of Gary’s setup. The rest just would not fit in the venue.
Raven Numan
I arrived late, thanks to it being a weekday and me being a 9-5 gal, and I am pleased to find I am yet to miss out on Raven Numan, Mr Numan’s eldest daughter.
Announced as support just a couple of weeks before, the fans are excited to see how Raven follows in her dad’s footsteps.
The band play and it’s slow, dark synth, goth goodness. Raven’s voice has similarities to Gary’s, but it is a style all her own. She seems a little shy at first, not moving far from the microphone, but she gets a little more comfortable as the show goes on and the fans take in every moment.
I would love to see Raven at a show more catered towards the dark goth style, and I bet her and her band will have all the success in the future.
These are not ones to miss and certainly ones to keep an eye out for.
Gary Numan
Mr Numan takes to the stage, and I wonder if the one guy shouting “NUUUUUMAAAAAAN” is the same guy I hear shouting “NUUUUUMAAAAAAN” every time I see him. I have grown quite fond of this shout.
Admittedly, I have never heard Telekon, but I have never been bored at a Gary Numan show, always found a new track to listen to, and tend to add something to my Spotify liked songs as soon as I leave.
Wife Gemma Numan joins us photographers in the pit, no doubt to show love and support for Gary during his difficult time on stage.
Admittedly, Gary does not have the same energy as usual, and the interaction with the crowd is minimal. Yet he is still giving it his all, no doubt using everything he has got to give the fans a show.
And only two days in grief, absolutely no one cares, and everyone is simply proud that he is still on stage.
We get to a song called Please Push No More, which sees one of the most emotional moments I have ever witnessed. The lyrics are too much, and Gary faces away from the stage and cries.
The crowd is silent as he composes himself, and once he returns to the microphone, he is met with a loud, long cheer, claps and chants of support.
Despite being overwhelmed with his emotions, he finishes the song, met with even more cheer and claps, with his bandmates visibly asking if he is okay to continue the show.
Gary Numan does, and we go back to the more upbeat songs of the album. We Are Glass is a standout for me, and the one that goes straight into my Spotify playlist.
To end the show, we get the pleasure of a couple of Tubeway Army songs, including Friends and Down In The Park, which sees the whole room dancing.
It has been an incredible, emotional night, and I bet Gary cannot wait to get some well-deserved rest after giving us this performance tonight.
I write this review, with significant hopes yet again, to hear My Name Is Ruin live, which was not to be tonight. But maybe soon. Until next time.
