Gary Numan

Gary Numan's music has been shaped by machines from the start, and his cult following has outlasted the chart success that first made him famous. Born Gary Webb in Hammersmith in 1958, he fronted the new wave band Tubeway Army before going solo. Heavy synth hooks passed through guitar effects pedals, while a distinctive voice and androgynous "android" persona give his work its unmistakable character, and he is regarded as a pioneer of electronic music.

Tubeway Army's second and final album, Replicas, reached No. 1 in the UK in 1979, carried by the single "Are 'Friends' Electric?", which also topped the singles chart. His solo debut, The Pleasure Principle, followed later that year and also hit No. 1, with "Cars" becoming another chart-topper. Telekon gave him a third No. 1 album in 1980. He has sold over 10 million records and retains a strong cult following. He received the Inspiration Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in 2017 and made his Glastonbury Festival debut in June 2025.