Gary Numan announces A Perfect Circle: Live album release

Gary Numan announces A Perfect Circle: Live album documenting his triumphant return to OVO Arena Wembley in 2022. 

In April 1981, Gary Numan completed the last of three extravagant, no-expense-spared retirement shows at Wembley Arena, walked off-stage and immediately realised he had made a massive mistake. Calling it quits at the age of just 23 dented his credibility as it was inevitable he would return to the live stage, as he did just 18 months later. But it would be another 41 years before he would return to headline the OVO Arena. And as the roar of the crowd greeted him as the opening notes of Intruder boomed across the cavernous room, Gary Numan had finally exorcised the demons that had haunted him for half a lifetime.

That momentous occasion has been documented in the aptly-titled A Perfect Circle: Live album which will be released on 25 July.

Momentous Occasion

In his notes for the album,Gary reflects on the two shows: “When I retired (albeit a rather short-lived retirement) from playing live back in 1981, at Wembley Arena, I undoubtedly did lasting damage to my career. The reasons for taking that break were sound, and essential. In fact I very much doubt I would be here writing this if I hadn’t.

“But that decision haunted me for a very long time. Rebuilding that damaged career back to a level that could see me playing at Wembley once again became an ambition that was to last another 41 years.

“Playing there became a symbol, the symbol, of that recovery. More than chart positions, more than anything. As the years came and went I often wondered if it would ever happen.”

Glorious Moment

“So when it did, in May 2022,” Numan continues, “it came with a wave of emotions, many of which I was unprepared for. It was a glorious moment, a victory for determination and ridiculous optimism. The reward at last for the countless disappointments along the way. For some people that play there it might be no more than a warm up show for something even bigger, but for me it was everything. It was undeniable proof that even though I’d fallen from the mountain, or thrown myself off it to be more exact, all those years ago, I had crawled my way, slowly but surely, back up it once again.

“Before the show I cried like a baby, overwhelmed in the moment, in the happiness of it, and the fact that now I could mess it all up. I was terrified of ruining the moment I’d dreamed of for decades. But I didn’t need to worry. The crowd lifted me – carried me – through every spectacular second of it. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier or more grateful. Thank you to everyone that came, and to all those who have helped me along the way, for making it one of the highlights of my life.”

Come Back Around

Gary Numan’s resurrection was a labyrinthian journey. While a devoted following still gathered for shows throughout the rest of the 80s, praise from Nine Inch Nails as they took industrial music into the mainstream in the 90s started a rediscovery of his work. That inspired a darker, more visceral approach to his own music which grew in power from his 1994 album Sacrifice onwards. In that same year, the Random tribute album was released, featuring his songs reinterpreted from fans as diverse as Damon Albarn, The Magnetic Fields, The Orb and Lauren Laverne’s Kenickie.

It wasn’t until 2013 that he achieved a major second chart breakthrough when Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind) broke into the Top 20, followed by Savage (Songs From A Broken Heart) (2017) and Intruder (2021) both powered to No.2.  His live shows spread internationally, consistently selling out London shows at the likes of The Roundhouse, The Royal Festival Hall and The Forum, en route to his OVO Arena Wembley comeback.

A Perfect Circle: Live Tracklist

Intruder
Remind Me To Smile
Halo
Metal
Ghost Nation
The Gift
Films
Pure
Resurrection
Down In The Park
Dead Sun Rising
Is This World Not Enough
Everyday I Die
A Black Sun
My Name Is Ruin
Cars
Me! I Disconnect From You
Love Hurt Bleed
The Chosen
We Are Glass
Jo The Waiter
M.E.
A Prayer For The Unborn
Are ‘Friends’ Electric?

A Perfect Circle: Live is released on triple-vinyl with a gatefold sleeve, as a 2CD and Blu-ray set, and on digital/streaming. Pre-order here.

Read More: Classic Pop’s Top 20 Live Albums