Old and Nu

Just bought tickets to see Gary Numan. He's someone I've always liked, but now I'm loving. I had heard vaguely that he had a harder sound in recent years. Wow. It's beautiful. It's exciting. And I'm going to see him. I love that anticipation. Wondering what it will be like. I don't know most of his new material. But I'm trying to get up to speed over the next few days.
I watched an interview with him recently. He expressed his frustration at peoples' desire for 'retro tours'. I can understand what he's saying. He wants to be seen as an artist in this moment. Not as someone from the 80s. Yes, he was there. Yes, he was very relevant and groundbreaking. But he still is. And, like most great artists, his work is richer, more meaningful, more emotional, than when he was a younger man.
I've got a picture below of Trent Reznor and Gary Numan for a few reasons. First, as many might know, Mr. Reznor regularly attributes Mr. Numan as a major influence. Good on you, Trent. Respect for those who came before is a must. And the industrial and electronica movements owe a great debt to Gary Numan and countless others. They have performed together in recent years, which is a joy to watch. I saw NIN with Bauhaus a few years ago... a subject I'll be writing about soon. Needless to say, Trent Reznor and Pete Murphy together on stage was quite a thrill.
This reminds me of a conversation I had recently with a 20-year-old woman about NIN. She started it by saying, 'They're not as cool as they were.' I have to say, I had to hold my tongue. I hate that expression, which almost always comes up when people pine for the good old days of whichever artist they're talking about. I feel particularly well-placed to discuss that particular band, as I was there for the beginning, when I was her age. However, I am still here for this moment, too. I have watched NIN, for all these years, age. And grow. And evolve. This is not something to be ridiculed. This is something to celebrate. Like Depeche Mode, NIN has evolved and is making music relevant to where they are at this moment. Why should Trent Reznor be stuck in his potent rage of Pretty Hate Machine? It was a spasmodically exciting album, and a period and type of music that probably saved me from substance abuse as it allowed me to express my rage and frustration with the world in the relative safety of the industrial dance clubs of the early 90s. However, just as I've grown and dare I say, matured, so has Trent Reznor. It's what people do. It's the nature of things. It's not bad or wrong. An artist, just like anyone, must evolve.

And that's what Mr Numan is doing. And actually, for my taste, at this moment in time, Mr Numan is doing something that is damned exciting and beautiful. His music is powerful and passionate. I can't wait to see what he gets up to at the Metro!