Midge Ure to play classic Vienna album in full at Royal & Derngate

At the end of the 1970s change was afoot in Britain and the world – in society, politics, fashion and culture – and the musical landscape was also about to change forever.

The guitar-driven dominance that had propelled rock and punk throughout the decade was about to end, as synthesizers signalled the sound of the future and video transformed the look of the pop charts.

The 1980s were about to explode into life and nothing would be the same again.

At the heart of this seismic leap into a futuristic new dawn were two records that set the template for much of what was to follow. Visage’s single Fade To Grey from the band’s debut eponymous album and Ultravox’s single Vienna from the album of the same name were global hits that shared the same stark ambience, European aesthetic and electronic heart.

The albums that birthed those landmark singles expanded that sonic palette even further and brought the art-school alternative into the very centre of the mainstream.

Both records were co-written, recorded and produced by Midge Ure and not only transformed the charts around the world but his life in the process.

He said: “Autumn 1979 was a pivotal point in my career trajectory.

“Over the previous two years I had grown from pop band (Slik) to post punk band (The Rich Kids) to being a stand-in guitarist for Thin Lizzy.

“Over the course of autumn into winter 1979, while working on the Visage project with Billy Currie, I was invited to join Ultravox.

“The work we did that winter on the Vienna album was an exhilarating rush of creativity the likes of which I had never experienced before.

“Forty years later I want to celebrate this period and as we pass from 2019 into 2020 play the Vienna album in its entirety along with highlights from the eponymous Visage album.”

Miduge Ure headlines the Northampton venue on Monday, February 17. Tickets cost from £26.50. Doors open at 7.30pm.

For availability, visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk