The recordBar Presented Midge Ure Live in Concert on January 27, 2020
Legendary Scottish singer-songwriter, producer and humanitarian Midge Ure brought his live solo acoustic performance to the recordBar in downtown Kansas City, MO on January 27, 2020. Dubbed the “Songs, Questions & Answers” tour, the North American trek featured the new wave artist performing career-spanning tunes, including songs from his days with Ultravox and Visage. Each night is an exclusive setlist as the fans dictate which ones are played.
Much humor and sentimentalism filled the quaint venue as cult-following like fans took in the sweet sounds and cherished stories. Midge Ure shared his first US experience as he was both with Ultravox and finishing up a Visage album when he got a call to fill in with Thin Lizzy. He returned home from the studio that night to find a plane ticket and setlist waiting for him. The Concord flight to New York only allowed him to learn a couple of the songs and the rest he picked up in his New Orleans hotel before going on stage the following evening.
Other stories included the planning of Live Aid, which he co-organized. He didn’t think it was going to happen, having spent hours upon hours in meetings. Every artist and band wanted to be there for the beginning and he recalled them all standing in their genres backstage. Seeing Queen and U2 on stage was magical to him and he shared with the crowd his endearing encounter with Freddie Mercury after it had all wrapped.
Predecessors in the industry, Ure even recalled borrowing 17K pounds to make the “Vienna” music video with Ultravox. It was a hit and then everybody wanted to have a one. He touched on the emergence of MTV and how launched bands, but at the same time spoiled the personal pictures that fans had in their heads plus it became like a playlist on the radio and was tough to get added.
Stories of jamming on guitars with Eric Clapton, playing in the first ever “Princess Trust Rock Gala,” getting his first voice lesson on “Popstar to Operastar,” having his cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World” included in the Japanese video game “Metal Gear Solid” and providing the soundtrack for a “crap” movie from the ’80s called “Party, Party” all provided inspiring and light-hearted entertainment for the night.
It was a “glorious” night to steal from his verbiage. Fans reveled in every intricate part of the truly blessed experience. Intimate and heart-warming, it was one of those moments that you carry with you and live to share. Continue the exhilaration by staying connected with Midge Ure and all of his special anecdotes while out on tour through his devoted journal-esque social channels.
Midge Ure Acoustic Setlist at recordBar on January 27, 2020:
“Dear God,” “Lament” (Ultravox), “Homeland,” “If I Was,” “Hymn” (Ultravox), “Vienna” (Ultravox), “Love’s Great Adventure” (Ultravox), “Fade to Grey” (Visage), “The Man Who Sold the World” (David Bowie), “Reap the Wild Wind” (Ultravox), “Breathe,” “Dancing With Tears in My Eyes” (Ultravox) and “One Small Day” (Ultravox)
