Midge Ure / Rock City / Nottingham
The early 80’s was a time of amazing creative music as punk and heavy metal matured flourished with bands like The Clash, Motorhead and Iron Maiden having major chart success. But the popularisation of the synthesizer, in the hands of artists like Gary Numan, OMD and Depeche Mode developed a new style of music in New Wave / Dark Wave….. and their influence has had a major impact on how music has developed since, right across the spectre of genres. One band that shook my world as a teen was Ultravox. A band I never got to see live but have always regretted not seeing. Seeing the video for their classic hit Vienna on TV was truly inspiring.
Well, here we are in 2023 at Rock City for the visit of Midge Ure. The much postponed tour ”Voices & Visions” tour celebrates those early years, and the best of Ultravox’s best known albums “Vienna” (1980), “Rage in Eden” (1981) and “Quartet” (1982) alongside some of Midge’s solo career highlights.
First up on stage we have India Electric Co. Consisting of Cole Stacey (vocals & guitar) & Joseph O'Keefe (violin and keyboards) with Midge’s drummer Russell Field. India Electric Co. are hard to define into any specific genre. I suppose the most obvious influence is folk, using traditional instruments such as guitar and violin, but mixing in subtle electronic influences.
They played a short set of six tracks starting with the upbeat Only Waiting from their 5 track 2018 single “Tablelands”. It’s bright and breezes along nicely, followed by Heimat which is simply delightful and has a Spanish feel / influence to it. In the middle of the set was an unexpected bonus, and a very different arrangement of the Bruce Springsteen hit I’m on Fire which was simply captivating. I think my favourite track however was Lost in Translation from the 2016 album “The Girl I Left Behind”. There’s something special about their intricate arrangements and heartfelt lyrics.
Supporting a new wave synth artist, I wasn’t expecting this at all, but India Electric Co. are fantastic. The difference in sound was refreshing, and their style is quite unique. A great start to the evening.
Set List
Only Waiting (“Tablelands” single 2018)
Heimat (“The Girl I Left Behind” 2016)
I’m on Fire
Parachutes (EC1M” EP 2017
Lost in Translation (“The Girl I Left Behind” 2016)
Statues (“The Gap” 2020)
After a short turn the lights dim and Midge’s band walk out onto the stage, followed by the man himself to roars and cheers from the audience. I have to say, for a Tuesday night, there’s a great turn out, and a real mix of ages in the audience, testament to the longevity of the songs. It’s funny how equipment has changed. Back in the 80’s there were racks and racks of keyboards, drum machines and sequencers. Now, single keyboards sit either side of the stage with laptops.
Kicking off with the solo hit Dear God before the unmistakable keys and drum beat introduced perhaps his best known solo hit If I Was from 1985’s “The Gift”. Everyone was singing along. Although 38 years have flown by, Midge’s voice is still so iconic and soars, although I’m sure he wishes he’d recorded them an octave lower lol. The chorus is one of those designed for live shows and makes everyone singing along feel like a star.
Midge Ure was also a founding member of Visage along with Rusty Egan, and next up we were entertained by their most famous hit Fade to Grey (from the self-titled album “Visage” 1980). I haven’t heard this song for so long, but it remains as hauntingly beautiful today as it did all those years ago, the synth intro is one of the most iconic intros of all time. The crowd are waving and nodding along. Wow !
Midge talks to the crowd and picks out some of the fans to the side of the stage looking through a metal latticework pillar. He tells us that the next track is a cover he always wanted to perform, and for me it’s one of his best tracks, released in 1982 as a single. Originally written by Tom Rush No Regrets is on his 1968 album “The Circle Game” it’s perhaps best known for it’s covers courtesy of The Walker Brothers and Shirley Bassey and tells the tale of a relationship breakdown. Midge’s vocals are perfect on this one, and the audience all join in with the lyrics.
My favourite Ultravox track made an appearance, with The Voice coming next. On 1981’s “Rage in Eden”, for me, it is the stand out track on the live album “Monument” released in 1983 with it’s iconic drum-off section. Another unbelievable live track made to dance to. With the development in modern technology, the tracks actually feel more alive now.
The rest of the set is broken into three parts, and first up we enjoy the hits from 1981’s “Rage in Eden”, including We Stand Alone, Rage in Eden, and the amazing Reap the Wild Wind. There are some less well know ones in there too such as The Thin Wall and Your Name has Slipped my Mind Again. It’s great to hear these again after so long.
We then delve back into 1982’s “Quartet” which includes Reap the Wild Wind, Mine for Life, We Came to Dance, and Hymn with its vocal opening line “Give us this day, all that you showed me. The power and the glory, ‘til my kingdom come” which has everyone shouting along.
As we hit the encore, it’s back to their most 1980 album “Vienna” firstly with the instrumental opening track Astrodyne. It’s great to hear this one live, before the single repeated bass note heralds the swirling synth tones introduce Vienna. Midge Ure’s voice is as amazing now as ever and we’re transported back to another world for a short time and a romantic encounter in the dark ominous surroundings of Vienna.
Finally we come to the last track of the night and what a way to end ! The pace and sound could not be any different as two drum beats release the bassline as All Stood Still starts up. With its fast metronomic beat it’s made for a sing along, and the crowd don’t disappoint with the lines “we stood still, we all stood still. Still stood still, we’re standing still”.
And it’s over…. Midge thanks the crowd and we walk out in to the cool night with huge grins on our faces. The music may be 40 years old now, but it doesn’t feel it at all. Fresh and engaging it feels timeless. With Solo material, Visage and Ultravox, it’s a night of hit after glorious hit, and one I will remember for many years.
Set list
Dear God
If I Was
Fade to Grey
No Regrets
The Voice
We Stand Alone
The Thin Wall
I Remember (Death in the Afternoon)
Your Name (Has Slipped my Mind Again)
Rage in Eden
Reap the Wild Wind
Mine for Life
We Came to Dance
Serenade
Hymn
Visions in Blue
Astrodyne
Vienna
All Stood Still
