Ultravox reflect on their first night, backstage at Edinburgh Playhouse 10th April 2009

[mymusic777ify]

Wonderful to finally see them back tigether again.There were so many hurtful feelings following the split up of the band.My life changed the day i met them at 14,and they have been my great great love ever since!

[77lks]

Warren is metronomic more than a drum machine!

Fantastic! saw two days ago in Italy!

[InSynthesis]

Hear, hear!!!!! Being in their late fifties doesn,t mean they should be sitting by the fireside in their carpet slippers. If a band still has the passion and desire to play their music, and fans want to see them play, then so they should. People have always knocked bands like Ultravox for not being "trendy" or "credible", but who cares. They had their own unique sound and to have such a strong fanbase 23 years after the classic line-up last played says it all.

[LizardT]

@InSynthesis

Hear Hear twice.....i totally agree with you....ive followed these guys from the start and when they came back on their Return to eden tour i was bowled over...they still have that magic although they never lost it such a shame they went their different ways only to meet up again and do this...i think they enjoyed it and wished they had never split up

[MackenzieAndRankin]

i was there that night and they were superb! all the old hits, great! Anyone can have a pop at them for their ages but Paul Weller is just as old and still as "in" as he was years ago, so why not these boys? Slick, classy and fucking magic. ULTRAVOX #1

[InSynthesis]

Well said.  Slick, classy and fucking magic INDEED!!!!!

[dv8musik]

Best Band Ever! I wish they would come to the states.

[fliznid]

I flew in from the US for the reunion, wouldn't have missed it for the world. Absolutely fantastic, everything i could have hoped for and more. Ultravox are still magic.

[posuerbuster]

These guys have sucked ever since John Foxx left.

[feltpaws]

you sir ,are mistaken.Entitled to your comments nontheless but definitley wide of the mark

[LizardT]

@feltpaws

both of these guys have their own different styles....its so wrong to compare each of them to each other....i like both Foxx and UV but if it wasnt for John leaving then we wouldnt of had his unique style of music as we have now and the same goes for UV.In my eyes they are both brilliant

[craigstark1968]

I was gutted that all this is going on as I am now in Australia, saw them many times in the early and mid 80's...please come to Perth in WA, there are so many Brits you would sell out easy!!

[stratinich]

I flew over from Sweden to see them in Glasgow and London (Roundhouse).

Two amazing shows. I couldn´t beleive what I saw. They were as good as in the

eighties. I really hope this tour will be a kick-off for a new Ultravox era.

[death2hiphopnRnB]

Bring on the European tour now boys!! I've just moved to Zurich unfortunately and I'm keeping the fingers crossed that the lads have got bitten by the tour bug!

[DGX73]

I saw the Portsmouth show and it was incredible, more than I could have hoped for. Billy Currie is the greatest musician I've ever heard. Great to see them reunited.

[HOGRAT1965]

Excellent! It took me back to some happy memories as a 16 year old nearly 28 years ago. I saw the original Rage in Eden set on the 13th October 1981 at the Cornwall Coliseum. I managed to get back stage and meet the group who were all happy to chat about the concert and to autograp the Tour Programme - which I still have all these years later. Great to see them back together and playing as well as they did nearly 3 decades ago. Classic!

[dreamyyak]

I was there in 1981 as well - amazing! Well said, that man....

[InSynthesis]

The Hammersmith show was absolutely stunning - powerful, passionate and so tight. I would have loved them to have included Accent On Youth, The Ascent and Stranger Within, to complete Rage In Eden, but I cannot complain, I never thought I would see them live and the memory of that night will be with me forever. For me, the show ended too soon, but to be part of the standing ovation at the end of The Voice was a huge, adrenaline-fuelled high.

[colleyultravox]

saw them at bristol ,as a big ultravox fan thought they were excellent, but what made it even better for me, my girlfriend her brother and his wife thought they were brilliant to well done uvox

[drjeks]

Saw them in Portsmouth and they were superb, better than I could have hoped for. Great full sound, just so well delivered. Great to see them tour after 23 years! I still have the old U-Vox tour shirt...not in *too* good a state though ;)

[thinwall81]

Messengers as their support would have been the cats meow!!...They still sound great after all these years..They are older.. It's unfair to compare them to the "QUARTET TOUR days..

[telex1000]

more and more , to see return to eden tour, I waiting italians tour date

[friendelectric]

I flew over from Italy to see them in Portsmouth. Hadn't heard anything about the tour review-wise until i was told on the morning that there were some average reviews doing the rounds. Went there expecting them to be a bit rubbish, instead they were absolutely brilliant. It was a really great show. Can't wait for the DVD now!

[judassane]

Thanks for posting the interview. Saw them in Portsmouth on the 28th and was blown away. The best gig I`ve seen in the last five years!!! (and I have been to loads of gigs!) They were my first band. They were my favourite band. AND THEY ARE ALL OVER AGAIN.

"FEEL THE SHAPE AND THE POWER OF THE VOICE!"

[Darakk]

I spent many adolescent hours listening in awe to those amazing synth & viola solos from Billy, the same way others were captivated by Clapton or Hendrix.

The chaps together have chemistry. They still have the magic. What a spine tingler the Hammersmith gig was. I couldn't stop smiling all the way through.

The choice of songs was spot on, good decision to ommit love's great ad. Could only have been bettered with some older songs, Hiroshima, Slow Motion.

New album? Go on lads, try it.

[adyjay33]

My wife and I were in Portsmouth too and all I can say is wow!!!

Brilliant is all I can say about these guys!!!

[dreamyyak]

(Plymouth) The musicianship was excellent, the atmosphere vital, the fans in awe and Ultravox played a blinder, each song delivered to the highest standard. This tour worked on two levels; of course revisitation of old triumphs for the 40+-year-olds out there but also as a superlative display of sheer talent and skill that transcends most music of this or any era. Ultravox, even greater than the sum of its parts, were yesterday but this tour proves that they are still so today as well.

[T66ORA]

We were at the Portsmouth gig last night, it was brilliant, I thought the chance to see the boys had past forever, excellent choice of tracks, including my all time favourite "I remember (death in the afternoon) Thanks for the memories lads.

[SAMIRDEEP]

Buddy, I was there too, and you are tottaly wrong.One of the best concerts I have ever seen.They sound better then ever.

[moonrock1962]

Please a tour to Australia would be fantastic- no harm in dreaming. I saw Midge Ure solo at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne must have been around 1984; a memorable concert. It would be fantastic to see Ultravox perform live.

[19TC96]

hello :)

[horprodukt]

I saw them at the Hammersmith Apollo last Friday.... AMAZING! The sound was great and clear, it was a captivating performance. I don't know how long they rehearsed before the tour but they were so tight as a band.... outstanding. The best gig i've been to in years.

I really hope they now get together in the studio and record new tracks.

[GRIDMASTER6]

I was at the same gig and have to say it was very poor,the sound was good but the some of the songs they sang would turn you to drugs or you thought you should start using them.... The vocals again on some songs very poor,some of the songs seem to go for ever as if they did not have enough material to give enough for our money.

I love Ultravox,but this gig has put me off ever going to see them again time to give it up boys and retire with the cash from this tour.

[asteroids1979]

The vocals were better than i thought they'd be live. Midge Ure's vocals were very powerful. The "songs seem to go for ever" is odd too. I presume you are refering to songs like "Your Name (Has Slipped My Mind Again)"? I thought it was a nice change of pace to the faster tempo songs. I can only presume you're not a fan of the album Rage In Eden?

It was a fantastic gig.

Girls Aloud are playing later this year, perhaps you'd be better off going to that?

[feltpaws]

you get the impression that most people thouroughly enjoyed the reunion tour,and comments like yours are just worthless pap,it was a chance (the tour) for the band and audience alike to revisit and celebrate what once was.I went to the manchester gig and it was fantastic ,you either like particular music styles/genres or you dont ,it was a damn good performance and your comments are a million miles from the reallity of what everyone else obviously enjoyed.

[GRIDMASTER6]

Most people did enjoy it but I didn't you should read the musical rags they feel the same as me.

If I did not like Ultravox why did i go,because i do like them a lot the Hammersmith gig did not do them justice.Did you have ti much to drink that night because it sounds like you were pumped up on something.

[feltpaws]

just as i thought,the low brow comments start

[horprodukt]

It seems you are in the minority Gridmaster. Everyone else had a great time. Ultravox fans were very happy with the tour. You only have to read the rest of the comments here and on other clips uploaded from the tour to see that.

It was great.

[dreamyyak]

Absolutely right. I'd LOVE a new Ultravox album - their performance live was so excellent; they're so "on form" that new works would be amazing............

[UltravoxUK]

Hello Tom! :oD

[Medazzalad]

The Astradyne intro seemed like standing close to an aircraft taking off or something!

All the clips on YouTube are beautiful but the triple-synth attack was intense in any large venue (saw them in Cardiff).

Electro seems to have resurfaced from a decade or so of absurd derision. I've compensated over the years (as a born-again Durannie!) but it hasn't been the same. . . also loved the way that Midge had to keep his mike at arms length lest it blew-up under his stunning voice!

[Funkstar124]

For excellent video and audio of Astradyne, go to "mateybloke".

My bro met Warren in the c/p outside the Symphony hall. Excellent gig. Want new material for the next set of gigs. I'll carry Midge's coat and hat on the tour if they will!

[elohead]

Rackets don't come any better than this - I think the dictionary definition of the word will have to be amended.

Roll on Belfast.

[InSynthesis]

I hope they keep making "this racket" for years to come. Cannot wait for Hammersmith tomorrow night. As so many have said before me, a huge thank you to Midge, Warren, Billy, Chris and everyone else for making this tour happen.

[philIipm]

Thanks lads, I was at Manchester. It was fantastic. After all this time I couldn`t believe I was actually watching Ultravox live. Can`t wait for Belfast. Many thanks again.

[HappiestGirlOslo]

Edinburgh was fantastic! :D I enjoyed it immensely, and yes I cried on a couple of songs... Of joy, of course! I'm watching this space, fingers crossed and everything... Cheers for making it such a special night!

[machughes99]

"Watch this space" sounds exciting. I was at the Edinburgh show and it was fantastic, had a great weekend. Thankyou Ultravox

[flicker66]

Thank you to everyone: to the lads for reuniting and playing a total blinder and to everyone at EV for doing so much to make it happen and for all their work. I was at the Sheffield gig, will be at Hammersmith on Friday and the Roundhouse soon. You still have that special magic, lads.

Ultravox 'til I die!

[rhymneygit]

excellent clip.cheers rob and cerise n of cos to midge,billy chris n warren for two fantastic nights.bristol n cardiff.

[mortegi]

I was at the Newcastle gig. WOW it was fantastic. The song selection was just perfect.All my favorites. It was the best money Id spent for a long time. I bought a £30 ticket which gave me a memory of a lifetime seeing ULTRAVOX.. I was crazy about them in the 1980,s and they still give me a BUZZ. After the gig I was lucky enough to meet Warren,Chris,Billy & Midge.They signed my program & LP. They say never meet your heros.Ultravox didnt let me down.love you all boys. WE WANT MORE.

[foxhusky]

Amazing... Thank you Warren, Criss, Billy and Midge for this miracle! I see you guys in August in Belgium. Thanks again.

[bellyfluff9]

Being only 10 years old when I became an Ultavox fan (down to my mum), I never thought I would get to see you guys live.

I would just like to say a big Thanks to you guys for putting whatever differences you had behind you and giving me one of the most memorable nights of my life. Lets hope it wont be the last.

[xovartlU]

I was at the Manchester gig and I couldn't beleive it was really happening, Ultavox touring again, I mean, It just doesn't get better than this.

Then the familiar tones of Astradyne faded in as the show began and I was on cloud 9.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, ad infinitum, Midge, Billy, Warren & Chris for doing this tour, I really hope there's more to come. (Watch this space? I certainly will)

[fliznid]

fantastic! thanks to the band and to everyone who made this tour possible. Can't wait to arrive & experience it for myself!

[BitAnBobs]

It's good to hear they enjoyed doing the gig and enjoyed the rapturous reception they got from us at Edinburgh. We totally enjoyed it too guys :)

[FrankfurtGalaxy4ever]

6 days until Hammersmith! A big THANK YOU to everyone who made this happen. Hope the boys are excited enough to record some new material...

[mistrustmusic]

what can I say! great to hear all of them!

[Skyman2901]

Midge ,Warren ,Billy ,Chris ,Cerise ,Rob and Paul .Thank you for The music and The Website ! All Love and Respect ! J:@)

ps So looking forward to Brighton ,London and Belfast Gigs

[THIRV]

how cool is that Attilius ?!!!! jeez, there was me feeling all clever avoiding the carpark and i went for the streetparking option instead ! if i'd known, i'd have paid £20 to park where u did ! LOL. hope Warren was happy, i bet he's loving all this, i do hope so. thanks for that little anecdote. it's chance encounters like that, that stay with u forever innit. :O) cheers

[AttiliusF]

thanks for this - keep it coming! Birmingham was superb last night, emotional was my word to describe it also. Hung around and managed a word with Warren on the way to the same pay and display car park - get that man a VIP space!

[THIRV]

also thanks to Cerise & Rob for keeping the torch burning all these years, and Rob K too for ReVox fanzine, and a big well doen to everyone behind the production of this tour. cheers ! ...... i STILL can't believe this has all happened ! :O) :O) :O) :O)

[THIRV]

GREAT to hear that ! I was at Manchester [ Tues ]and Birmingham [ last nite ], i wanna go to more now ! I retired from going to gigs 2 yrs ago, i get too tired LOL ! But i came out of retirement for Ultravox, am so glad i did, it was so emotional, both gigs, i nearly burst into tears a few times at each of the concerts, i just couldnt believe it was happening, the crowd, the reception, the four heroes in front of us. I really really hope they're enjoying this as much as us ! It's just SO great !

[jkmxlssn]

Really loooking forward to the gig in London on the 24th

[tengestol]

Thank you all! Was at the Manchester gig and I want more!!!

[foxxwrok]

Wow! Brilliant! Thank you Gents! Birmingham rocked on the 17th. I hope this leads to another tour or even some new music! We will 'Watch this space' with fingers crossed! Thanks Cerise, Rob, - Everyone involved! : - )

[stevevoxxy]

kewl video good luck with the rest of the tour guyz!