By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa
Live Review: Gary Numan Live at Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, Florida – March 8, 2026
Fresh from performing on The 80s Cruise 2026, Gary Numan launched his North American Spring Tour with a stop in Fort Lauderdale on March 7 before bringing his iconic industrial sound to Jannus Live in St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 8. Rock At Night was thrilled to attend this powerful show at the outdoor venue, where Numan last performed in 2024 alongside Ministry and Front Line Assembly.
The evening opened at 8 p.m. with Los Angeles duo Tremours, featuring guitarist/vocalist Lauren Andino and drummer Glenn Fryatt. Backed by heavy layers of synth tracks and droning vocals, their set delivered a dreamy, hypnotic atmosphere—firmly in shoegaze territory with an industrial edge. For fans of immersive, atmospheric music, it was a compelling (if slightly protracted) 35-minute warm-up.
By 9 p.m., the stage was enveloped in thick smoke, illuminated only by deeply saturated red, green, and blue lights—no white light in sight, much to any photographer’s chagrin. Gary Numan emerged in a dark grey tunic and leather arm wraps, launching immediately into the brooding industrial anthem “Halo.” His performance was visceral: violent head jerks, crouched mic grips, and frequent kneeling lent an almost shamanic intensity. Shaved-headed guitarist Steve Harris and bassist Tim Slade, clad in long black tunics with skirts, evoked Mad Max warriors—writhing and playfully interacting in ways that added a subtle homoerotic charge to the proceedings. David Brooks anchored the rear with those signature keyboard and synth riffs, while Jimmy Lucido drove the rhythms from behind the kit. The wall of sound was overwhelming (even through earplugs, the decibels hit hard), creating a mesmerizing, dystopian immersion.
In a world shadowed by ongoing wars—headlines filled with conflict in Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond—I arrived feeling the weight of constant news cycles, gloom, and anxiety. That night, the music offered a much-needed escape. Tracks like “The Gift” and “My Name Is Ruin,” with their haunting Middle Eastern-inflected riffs, transported me to vast, apocalyptic deserts—echoing the turmoil abroad while channeling it into cathartic release. The industrial darkness felt eerily prescient, yet strangely consoling.
Yet amid the brooding atmosphere came waves of pure nostalgia. Classics like “Cars,” “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?,” “Films,” and “Metal” swept me back to my teenage years: dressing in bright New Wave outfits and cruising in my ’66 Buick Riviera. For this lifelong 80s devotee, it was pure heaven.
Mid-set, Numan addressed the crowd with characteristic dry humor: “I co-wrote a song with my daughter Raven. Well, actually, that’s a lie—she wrote it.” He introduced “Nothing’s What It Seems,” a goth-tinged industrial gem performed with Raven herself, who surprised him onstage with a white sheet cake ablaze with candles. It was Numan’s 68th birthday, and his reaction—shaking his head in disbelief, doing a little dance, and quipping that “at my age, it’s not exactly a happy celebration”—drew affectionate shouts from the audience (“Yeah, it is!”). The father-daughter duet was a highlight, raw and heartfelt; I hope it sees a proper recording soon.
Overall, the evening was profoundly emotional—an intense blend of darkwave industrial power, theatrical choreography, and theatrical flair from Numan and his “Mad Max twins.” The energy proved age is irrelevant; at 68, Numan remains electrifying. I found myself dancing on the sidelines, channeling my own jerky industrial moves, the music resonating deep in my soul. In a time of global unease, this show reminded me why we turn to art: for escape, connection, and a momentary triumph over the darkness.
Five stars. An unforgettable night.
PHOTO GALLERY
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
