The 2009 UK Pleasure Principle Tour in 6 Riveting Chapters:
One man's mission to see Numan's Pleasure Principle shows in November and December 2009
Chapter 1
Sunderland
2009 had already been an insane year. I'd already traveled over 65,000 miles since January 1st to see Gary perform in places I'd never been. But if anyone thought I was about to miss the 2009 Pleasure Principle Tour, they were certifiably crazy. In my teen years, The Pleasure Principle was the soundtrack of my life. I couldn't believe there was a musician who so closely paralleled my stream of consciousness on such a deep level. It was Gary Numan, and my worn out vinyl copy of The Pleasure Principle, that got me though those years. I wasn't about to miss Gary play the entire album live 30 years later.
The NAGNFC was the first to report the news about the planned tour when I heard about it from one of Gary's crew during the April shows. It was then thought there would be 11 shows in total. Luckily, there would be several more to make this a major tour.
As early as September, I dutifully scanned the travel websites almost daily to scan for flight deals across the Atlantic. But what was usually a $550 flight was now going for $700. Despite the economic crunch, the airlines used the law of supply and demand to their advantage, creating more demand by flying less planes. So even though less people were flying now, most planes still were nearly as full even as the large airports appeared much emptier of humanity.
I nearly asked for a lift to New York City when I saw an amazing deal from there for $600. But then I became a BIG fan of newcomer Bing.com when their travel search found a deal for me for $543. The only catch was that I'd have to fly United Airlines out of Rochester, then touch back down after the trip in Toronto. But for that price, I was in! I nearly flew US Airways out of Syracuse again. One more flight with them and I would've been Silver Elite, but their flight cost about $150 more so the choice was clear! All hail Bing.com and United Airlines!
A few NAGNFC readers sent items for me for Gary to autograph for them. Other sent cash for me to purchase the tour merch for them, as Gary hinted there may not be anything left after the tour.
I was all set. I'd been mailed all my tickets (which cost a whopping 35 pounds for international shipping alone! The will call takes too long when you're vying for a good spot front and center!), and scored my trusty Britrail pass for unlimited travel throughout England. For the first time ever, I was visiting the UK in the dead of winter and was able to get a very attractive low-season price on the train pass.
I would love to have done the entire Pleasure Principle Tour, but the fates wouldn't allow it. Gary decided to hold the tour through the iconic American holiday devoted to mindless gluttony, Thanksgiving. I had to be here, not that spending time with great family and mountains of good food was a fate worse than death. Still, like most around the world, I had to live the first days of the tour through the generous contributors on YouTube. This also meant I could report on the first few days of the tour on the NAGNFC with tons of pictures, articles and media clips.
Before leaving, I'd received incredible and generous offers of abodes in Wolverhampton, Sunderland and Cambridge which was a tremendous help. I hope I can return the favours when my gracious hosts make it Stateside!
Thanksgiving was definitely worth sticking around on this continent for. But now it was my turn. I'd already heard from Americans like Jeff and Vince who'd made it to the first shows in Brighton and Southampton, and Australians like Jane, Jono and Belinda who had already made the trek. From what I'd heard, I could hardly wait to join the tour for its final six shows, culminating on what promised to be a very special final evening in London.
I worked off the Thanksgiving meal by packing for the trip. I subscribe to dozens of magazines I never read, so I stuffed over 60 issues of Discover, NatGeo, Rolling Stone, etc. in my carry-on luggage determining to read them all over the next couple of weeks. Also packed was my PSP with jamming MP3s and games, headphones and my trusty pillow.
The morning of the flight was Black Friday, the day when all Americans wake up at 4 am to fill every store parking lot for half-priced electronics and toys. I'd always been content only to watch people trample each other to get to the Tickle-Me-Elmos on the news. But I was so wired to be leaving, I was up anyway, so decided to see what all the fuss was about. It was definitely weird to see all the parking lots fuller than I'd ever seen them, especially now at 5 in the morning. My Dad decided to check it out for the first time like me. We found a parking spot and dutifully stood in line at Staples for cheap laptops and software. The deals were okay. As we shopped amongst the madness, my brother emerged from the crowd to greet us after which we went out to breakfast. Ahh good times.
My folks and I left for Rochester at 9:30 am for my 2:30 pm flight. I promised them lunch for the ride, and it was some tasty pasta dishes at Pizza Hut for us. None of us were really hungry, but the meals were so good we dove in as if yesterday wasn't Thanksgiving!
I'd never been to the Rochester airport. It was actually a very well laid-out airport and was very easy to get around. The fact that today was Black Friday, and everyone was shopping instead of flying, was a bonus. My folks and I walked into the airport where they found a seat whilst I checked in. There was no wait at all at the United Airlines desk. I just walked up, handed him my passport, answered his questions and I was good to go. Try doing THAT at Heathrow!
Actually it was a bit different checking-in this time. With the bad economy, airlines were doing whatever possible to spark the bottom line. For the first time ever, a gate check-in agent was suggestively selling whatever he could to me. He said I could upgrade to business class for only $169, or I could get more legroom in coach for only $60. I told him I was a short guy and was good with the legroom I already had.
My folks and I laughed it up in the lobby but I knew they had a 90-minute drive back home, so I thanked them profusely for the ride. They walked to the security gate with me and I waved my final goodbye once I was through. Now I was alone, and was eager to explore the Rochester International Airport. It was pretty small actually, just a couple of tiny terminals. The food court was good though, and there were a smattering a little shops to purchase all manner of travel gear.
Once at my gate, I was virtually alone. But what WAS there were chairs near AC outlets. I charged the PSP and cell phone while I had the opportunity and pulled out the first of many magazines I'd brought. With 45 minutes to go before flight time, all the chairs around me were still empty. Just then, the gate filled up quickly. This flight was actually to a United Airways hub at Dulles Airport in Washington, DC where I would board a much bigger plane to Heathrow.
I seem to get the best luck when it comes to attractive seatmates. On this small twin-prop, my neighbor was a young lass. Turns out she was an actress and was studying her script during the flight. I offered to play the part of the other character to help her learn the lines. Whatever romance was sparked, however, was offset by the last minutes of the flight to DC.
I think the pilot was in training. The takeoff and flight was good enough, but the approach was another matter. Still high in the air on approach, the small plane slowed down crushingly, then vigorously sped up. This continued a few times before a young man seated directly behind me had no choice but to utilize Le Bag Du Vomit. In the small compressed atmosphere of the small twin-prop, the smell was more than noticeable as my seatmate had a finger underneath her nose. Luckily the flight was nearly over. I lightened the mood exclaiming to her "Another satisfied customer of United Airlines!" It was funny watching people run for the exit once the door was opened, quickly thankfully.
I'd never been to Dulles Airport, either. It was quite big. In the three hours I had to kill, I never even saw the entire airport. The place was a maze and it was hard to get one's bearings, and they had the craziest transport system between terminals I'd even seen. They were like oversized moon buggies that lifted and lowered as needed to let passengers in and out in the various heights of the terminal doors. They were free and I rode them awhile for the experience of it.
I made my way to the departure gate for London Heathrow where the plane was about to board. The plane was pretty full. I had the first aisle seat in about 6 years. All the windows were taken by the time I booked the flight. That's okay. For once I wouldn't have to climb over humans to stretch the legs or grab a drink. The window seat next to mine was occupied by an older Indian woman. We didn't talk much but she was very friendly. I got the vibe that she was, like me, traveling the planet to seek out adventure in this short life we're given. She eagerly accepted my 2 cent candies and my United pillow as I'd brought my own.
I'd not slept much before waking up for Black Friday shopping, but I figured I could just sleep while the pilots drove me to England. I didn't sleep much at all though as the movies were so good. I also watched Two and a Half Men which Peter in Australia got me into while I was staying at his place in Melbourne. Well no matter, there was always the four hour train ride from London to Sunderland to sleep through.
The overnight United Airlines flight over the Atlantic was beautiful. I made sure to choose a flight that would touch down in London nice and early in the day as my nonstop train to Sunderland (and my first Numan show of the tour that evening) left at 11:25 am, arriving at 3:15 pm.
For the second time in 2009, I touched down in London. The approach was absolutely gorgeous. For the second time ever, my plane flew low over London on its approach. In the winter dark of 6 am, London was sparkling. The pilot informed us of our opportunity to see the London Eye and Piccadilly Circus out the right windows, but I was already mesmerised.
Once at the gate, the stroll through customs was such a nice change from April when I flew into Gatwick. Her Majesty's Customs there was under construction and a couple of planes arrived at the same time, making the wait quite long. But now I was virtually whisked to a waiting customs agent with barely time to finish filling out my customs form in the queue. I have a theory that travelers with long established histories of international travel on their passports aren't scrutinized as much by customs. It seems the more I travel, the easier customs is on me, even with my longer incriminating hairstyle. We'll see if that holds true in the coming years.
Once through, I picked up my checked luggage off the carousel (quickly for a change!), and walked to the main lobby and its gauntlet of limo drivers, etc, holding signs with names I could be. But instead I made my way to the rail desk to get my rail pass validated. The guy was very helpful pointing me in the direction of the Heathrow Express into London's Paddington Station. When I flew into Heathrow, I was always used to using the Tube to get to central London. It was handy and cheap but it took an hour. Today I would use Heathrow Express for the first time. It was normally 25 pounds for the 15 minute trip, but luckily my 140 pound 8-day UK Britrail Pass covered this as well.
I found the train from Terminals 1-3 to Terminal 5 to catch the Express into London. It was here that some youngsters tried to get me to sign up for a drawing to win a car. Once I saw the car, and was assured non-Brits could win just as easily, I signed my life away on the dotted line. That car was a sweet ride!
It wasn't entirely clear which platform got riders to London. I thought I was just dense until I came across other passengers who were just as perplexed as I. But then my common sense adage to "just follow the crowd" kicked in, and it only took me a couple of tries to hop the right train. Once on board, the ride was very impressive. Rather than the Tube, this was a bullet train that stopped for nothing. TV news was on board for anyone who wanted to catch the morning stories.
Once at Paddington I stepped outside to breathe in London once more, and to call New York to let family know I'd traversed the Atlantic in one piece. I grabbed a sandwich at Upper Crust and made my way on the Tube to London's King's Cross Station to catch the express to Sunderland. This service had a proud history, and was only recently reinstated to serve the masses who wanted to get from south to north England in a hurry.
Once at the right train station, I had some time to play with, so I scored a lone seat by a big McDonald's window to watch the crowds sail past as I downed breakfast. It was really cool to be in the UK again, and I was looking forward to picking up Numan's Tour this evening in the small student campus venue.
Back at the train station, I noticed an interesting methodology I'd never seen. Passengers would stare at the main screen to see which platform to board their train, studying intently as if it were the Torah. Then the second the magic number appeared, people ran as if from a starting gate in a race to be among the first to board, as if the train line would sell more tickets than there are seats. Even if they did, it would only take a couple of stops to empty out many passengers, freeing up even the best seats. That's my experience anyway.
Unfortunately, there did seem to be an inordinate number of reserved seats on my train. Not good when holding an unlimited pass. Especially weird as this was totally out of tourist season. I've never been in the UK in the height of tourist season, and I'm not entirely sure I'd want to!
I found an unreserved seat to park the buttocks and settled in for a nice nap for my four hour journey. The train left right on time and I started to drift off when an infant girl behind me began to audibly display her "terrible twos" life phase. Despite her mom's pleas for quiet, there would be none for our train car that day. My headphones helped a little, though the prospect of sleep was sadly off the table as an available option.
I was nearly in Sunderland when I received a text from Don. He asked when my train was due to arrive. I texted back, "I should be there at 3:15 NUUUUMANNNNN!" The little city of Sunderland looked familiar as we rolled through it.
The train's final stop was announced and I pulled off my wheeled duffel bag to leave the train. The moment I disembarked I heard my name. Don was there at the platform waiting for my arrival. I mentioned in an email that I could find my way to his place, and that he didn't have to pick me up. But as a host, Don went above and beyond the call, making sure I found my way okay. I thanked him mightily for putting me up this evening. I slept so soundly the last time I was in his guest room on the Replicas Tour.
As we walked to his place, he caught me up to speed on the tour and the reviews he'd received. He'd already been to shows in Manchester and Leeds. Even though Leeds almost didn't happen (Numan arrived late from Dublin because of the weather), and that show featured no high-tech lights, he said that show was amazing and was his favourite so far. Numan had never played Sunderland before, and Dave was stoked that Gary was playing within walking distance.
Don and his sister were amazing hosts. His sister's daughter remembered this American from last year when we talked PSP and Hannah Montana. She'd just been to America on a school trip so we had even more to talk about. Don's sister gave up her room for me to get ready for the Numan show. While I did, the daughter excitedly told me all about her class trip.
I amassed everything I would need for the evening. Camera, snazzy jacket with buckles and zippers, my concert ticket and NAGNFC business cards. For the second time since the Australian Tour, I didn't plan any NAGNFC Preshow Parties. On previous tours, I endeavored to hold one before every Numan show. They are not all well-attended, but the ones that do click are absolutely memorable, fun and worthwhile. When there are several concerts in a row, it's harder to schedule sleep and a preshow party at the same time. In the future, I will try harder to hold at least a few during each of Numan's tours in towns with nearby pubs. NAGNFC Preshow Parties have been a staple for over 10 years now!
I walked into the living room with Don and his sister to give them a CD and DVD of some live Numan for their hospitality. I was about to leave for the show and made sure to get directions so I would walk the right way. The show would be near the Monkwearmouth Railway Museum where I ended up during my wanderings around Sunderland during the Replicas Tour, so I knew I could find it. Even though I lost my bearings before I left (I somehow thought we were across the street from ourselves), I eventually got pointed the right way. To make sure I walked the right way, Don took the time to walk me part of the way to the show, pointing the rest of the way when the campus was within sight. Don was content to show up later and stand in the back, unlike me who had to be front and center!
It was already dark by now, but Google Maps said it was only a six minute walk. After walking across the familiar, historic and large bridge in downtown Sunderland, I made my first right per my Google Maps directions. There wasn't much around as the quiet lane led me down a steep hill toward the water. It didn't seem like a Campus Venue, or even a Campus, was nearby. Just then I found a road uphill toward another road where I saw a handy sign for the Campus Academy.
But I still wasn't sure this was the place. A large tour bus was out front of one place, but there was no one outside. It was already 5 pm and the doors opened at 7. The last time Gary played nearby in Newcastle last year, the queue was already 30 deep by now. Very strange, indeed. This couldn't be the right place. Just then I heard someone from around a corner just as lost as me. It was Jeanette, the girl who shows up before most anyone else at every UK Numan show I've ever attended. She and I walked around the back to look for an entrance, but it turned out the door by the tour bus was the one to queue at. The doors were locked, although there were students inside enjoying beverages at the bar. Soon, The Big G came out and spoke with us, followed by Miles the merch guy, Dave and the band. The Big G and Jeanette were nonchalant about my efforts following Our Friend Electric as I hadn't done the entire tour. I explained that I had to be in America for the Thanksgiving holiday but they weren't moved. I protested, "C'mon! Six shows! Not bad for a Yank, eh?"
Miles showed off the outside of the tour bus to us. Punching a few buttons on a keypad automatically opened the side door to reveal the band's luggage. Jeanette and I were impressed as it was very Star Trek! The bus costs three quarters of a million pounds and several thousand just to rent out. We then saw The Big G escort in some older people which Jeanette and I guessed were some of Chris' family.
Soon, others joined our two-person queue. We kept each other laughing to try and forget how cold and windy it was. We tried on each other's glasses and told jokes to pass the time. One friendly Numanoid who'd brought his son was told by one of the venue staff that there was an age limit, and the little guy wasn't allowed. The Numanoid returned later without the child. The rest of us scanned our ticket for any mention of age restrictions but failed to find any. Naturally we sided with our Numanoid brother.
Hi Jim, Martin here, we met in the queue outside Sunderland! I must say it was
brilliant meeting you in person, you were probably the last person I'd ever have
expected to meet there ! What a fan!!! I was hoping to have a further chat after
the show but never mind. I've some fantastic pictures and even have one of you
singing along. I'm sure you will have enjoyed the rest of the tour, at the time
of writing I'd still like to see one more show.
All the best and keep up the
good work with the webby!
Martin 'machman05'
A few minutes past the door time, the doors finally opened. I streamed past the Numan poster I'd been eyeing from outside and scored front and center with Jeanette. Looking around the place I suddenly felt very much at home. The walls were absolutely covered with metal signs from America. U.S. Interstate highway signs, city signs and American adverts were the decoration here and I instantly fell in love with the place.
Some readers of the NAGNFC introduced themselves as Gary's preshow music played. The music was noticeably more mellow than Numan's past pre-concert tunes such as Chemical Brothers, NIN, etc.
Photographer: Martin "Machman05"
The lights came down to reveal Numan's opening band for the entire tour, Dirty Harry. I noticed on this tour how timely the performances started. They were normally delayed by 30-45 minutes. The shows on this tour ran pretty much on time.
I enjoyed Dirty Harry on the April Tour. They were fun Los Angeles-style rock and provided a fun lead-in for Numan's shows then. But for this tour, there is no question that DH turned it up a few notches. The lead singer displayed a fun and sexy attitude, the guys on either side of her played guitar and bass adeptly, and the drummer was off the chain. I mean that guy was killer. As the tour progressed, I looked forward to their shows. That's probably the first time I've said that about one of Numan's opening bands since Gwenmars. The word is the lead singer got DH this opening gig as she is a friend of the Webb family, performing babysitting duties when needed.
The crowd were loving the raucous opening band when Miss Harry jumped off the stage toward us. She climbed on the step as she sang to the crowd. I think she may have recognised me. As her band deftly rocked, she walked over to me and I put my arm around her shoulder as she sang. At this, she fell back into my left arm to the cheers of the crowd. I made sure to ask Numan's photographer, Ed Fielding, if he'd snapped any shots of the moment.
After a thoroughly enjoyable performance by DH, I steeled myself for the result of months of planning, and what would prove to be a pinnacle of my concert-going adventures. After reading all the reviews, watching the pixely YouTube videos and reporting on the shows on the NAGNFC, I was about to see Gary in the flesh, just feet from where I stood, performing the album that started my Numan fandom. The album deftly defined where I was as a teenager, characterised who I became, provided the soundtrack for lonely car rides, first dates and years of pizza delivery on snowy nights. Now 30 years later, my friend electric would......OMG.....the lights came down as fog enveloped the stage.
The song Random thundered through us instead of my car's speakers. Then Numan busted out Airlane. The experience was like being on a date with someone attractive, when an hour seems like a minute. Metal brought Gary and I together as he smiled at me during the line, "It's tomorrow they send me singing I am an American." Then my theme song of age 14, Complex. Films was so powerful live. I can see what Numan was talking about when he said these songs held up well on stage. Incredibly, M.E. was even more enormous and powerful. Then it was Tracks, always the hidden gem of the album, and tonight it was a crowd favourite. Observer was tight and I finally realised how tight Richard was on drums. I honestly never heard him play so creatively, so wickedly. The man was on it. Dave Brooks stood motionless, a tribute to Rrussell Bell? I would have to ask him. Gary always smiled through parts of Conversation but I never asked him why. And even the ubiquitous Cars, the magic song I couldn't play enough in the early 80s, was eclipsed by the unbelievable Engineers. Several fans mentioned how cool Engineers was on stage, as if Gary should have been playing it all along. It even topped the NAGNFC poll for favourite song of the show. Numan then played his song Asylum. Gary played the lonely, almost sweet and sad chords as roadies stripped away synthesizers, then the last genre-defining notes of The Pleasure Principle faded away to reveal Gary's newer songs.
Chris looked especially relieved to be back on guitar, his normally reserved demeanor smashed to reveal his relief with the guitar held up high as he played in theatrical fashion. Ade Fenton didn't miss a beat. Tim Muddiman who was until now doing his best Paul Gardiner, entered Goth mode as The Fall began Act Two of the performance.
Coming off one of Gary's most interesting years of his career in many years, with his Aussie Tour, Eastern Europe Tour, the successful No Saints Hasselt Festival the previous month, the Q Awards and playing with Trent Reznor, Gary displayed a true confidence. He always said his writing is better when things aren't going well, but tonight I saw a successful performer finally in his own Heaven, one he'd been seeking since I first heard Cars in the 1970s. Being name-checked by contemporary successful artists like Little Boots, doing popular ad campaigns, and finally enjoying widespread acknowledgement of his influence, this was Gary Numan 3.0. The show was tight, the hooks were more infectious than I'd ever known, and my Numan fandom was born again.
I couldn't believe it was over. At least these shows were a bit longer than a Numan fan is used to, but the time still flew past us as Gary and his band played our favourites. I found Don and his three sisters. I knew the one who lived with him, but this was the first time I met the others. One didn't seemed to be liked by the other two, but one sister, who was born when The Pleasure Principle was released, was not only attractive, but was genuinely funny. She had us all laughing big time!
Don found The Big G and spoke about how G's family was, and G's daughter who is starting law school. Don spoke with G via the repore of someone who'd seen 4 times more Numan concerts than me, which he had! Don's disliked sister left as the other two pointed me in the direction of this quite older man who was standing on his own near the bar. He had venue posters from this evening's show for anyone who wanted to grab one. I thanked him utterly and profusely for the kindness, and told Jeanette and her friend about the free posters, although they were too embarrassed to ask him for the free souvenirs, asking me to procure one for them.
One of Don's sisters knew the guy who ran this venue and actually got us into the VIP Party upstairs. It was still early and there wasn't much going on yet so the girls and I scored drinks and found a seat. We found common interest in songs from Erasure, The Human League, etc, and began to sing them loudly, high-fiving each other and laughing the whole time. These drinks weren't even alcoholic! Imagine if we were drinking something harder!
As fans waiting by the tour bus to meet Gary, I received the word that Gary was doing an interview at a nearby Travelodge. Don and his sisters were leaving but they said I could ride with Rob and his friend to the hotel to meet Gary. I would certainly get a chance to meet Gary later in the tour, or so I thought, so I thanked Rob just the same and left with Don and his friends toward downtown.
We walked as far as the large Monkwearmouth bridge when Don's giddy sisters pulled up next to us in a taxi. It was tiny, so Don insisted I ride with the girls to his place to save me the walking. At Don's place, the sister who graciously gave me her room for the night began to regale her tale of a belligerent audience member who decided to stand directly in front of her before the show. As the offender became ever more rude, she pulled the Ace from her sleeve. She knew all the guys who worked here, including the bouncers. After they intervened, things settled down before anyone had to be thrown out.
The other sister had left in the cab before Don arrived. He thought it was a great show but still thought Leeds was the best he'd seen so far. Meanwhile, I was totally impressed with this evening's show. Don offered food and drinks but I was still good from the meal earlier in the day. We all had a great conversation that night. I'd revealed to him all the reviews from fans who told me about the shows, and the latest Numan news, and he told me about Gary's problems on this tour so far with the weather and getting in late to Leeds.
Jeanette, who was doing the entire tour, had even told me as we waiting in the queue, that she'd ended up on Gary's boat across the Irish Sea back to England. It was a seven hour wait for poor Gary and his crew. The Big G said there was nothing else to do except drink and wait for the weather to subside.
Such stories were revealed well into the night before I finally had to bed down. Getting to Norwich would be weird tomorrow. I'd already checked the coach schedule from Sunderland to Norwich. That option was literally impossible as all the connections would take too long. So the train it was. For the first time since arriving at London's Heathrow Airport that morning, I slept as if consciousness ever had a chance.
The last time I saw a show in Norwich, I had to walk the three miles back into town on dark and lonely streets under bright stars. I wondered if that would be my fate again tomorrow?