Synths, Hits, and a Trip Down Memory Lane: Midge Ure Electrifies Edinburgh

★★★★★ (5/5)

MIDGE URE PERFORMING AT EDINBURGH’S USHER HALL
PHOTOCREDIT: STUART WESTWOOD

Midge Ure rolled into Usher Hall and turned the venue into a glorious revival that felt less like a nostalgic throwback, and more like a get-together of friends ready to enjoy a great night zooming through his musical autobiography.

From the moment Ure hit the first note of Rich Kids’ ‘Marching Men’, it was clear we were in for a deep dive into Midge’s five decades long career. The crowd—a mix of original new-wave devotees and younger fans who've discovered these classics through their parents' record collections—erupted enthusiastically.

It was a night filled with chart hits from Rich Kids, Ultravox, Thin Lizzy and Ure as a solo artist. With some of the songs, Midge shared a story or two, but most of the time, his tight and professional band moved swiftly from tune to tune.

Surprisingly, the song which he is best known for, the 80’s synth-pop classic, ‘Vienna’, came halfway through the set. It brought the house down, transforming Usher Hall into one massive singalong.

Ure's guitar work during Visage hit ‘Fade to Grey’ reminded us of what a great guitarist he is. He replaced Gary Moore as a Thin Lizzy guitarist in 1979 which he celebrated by playing a powerful cover of ‘The Boys are Back in Town’.

The band of Cole Stacey (bass and Keys), multi-instrumentalist, Joseph O’Keef and drummer Russel Field, was tight, moving between new wave, post-punk, and electronic sounds with a kind of effortless cool. Each song felt like reopening a fantastic time capsule—slightly dusty, but brilliant.

Stage presence? Ure had it in spades. He moved with the confidence of a musician who knows he's not just performing, but curating a musical experience. Every story between songs, every knowing smile, every perfectly executed guitar riff felt like a masterclass in how to age gracefully in rock 'n' roll.

The gig really raced along, but it was Ultravox’s track ‘Hymn’ that got the crowd bouncing and dancing to the music. And ‘One Small Day’ had them belting out the lyrics. There was a special moment when Midge did a ‘Jimi Hendrix’ on Scotland’s national anthem, ‘Flower of Scotland’. Crunching out the tune on the guitar, the lights forming Scotland’s flag behind him.

The night closed with band standing together at the front of the stage to play ‘The Voice’ to a tremendous response.

By the end of the night, it was clear this wasn't just a concert but a showcase for a unique artist, songwriter, singer and guitarist - a musical love letter to the 80s, to alternative music, to the fans who've followed Ure's incredible journey. The 'Catalogue' tour isn't just a trip down memory lane; it's a high-speed, synthesiser-powered rocket through musical history.