We’ve already written about the Cruel World Festival that brings a mixture of New Wave vets and contemporary Darkwave bands into a large pot and applies the heat. It’s a huge, fun show that often sees PPM royalty jetting over for a single day at the gig, but with the cost of a work visa, there’s value in trying to work further afield and catch some audience elsewhere. And to that end two artists we have lots of time for are both making a big splash at Cruel World 2025, but afterward, they are teaming up for a North American mini-tour. They being PPM favorite Midge Ure and…Blancmange!

Yow! Midge Ure has had no prior connection to Neil Arthur, who carries the Blancmange mantle currently, but I can’t think of any good reason not to do it! While I have well over a hundred Ure discs in the Record Cell, I have always been shamed by the very modest number of Blancmange discs…and for no good reason, I might add! I’ve enjoyed them since the days of their first album when “Living On The Ceiling” hit in such a tasty manner. I missed the “Irene + Mavis” EP back in the day and have never heard the “Some Bizzarre Album,” if you can believe that! Yes, I know. What you must think of me.

But both artists are strong singers with an electronic palette. Each have their share of pop hits and in the case of Blancmange, Neil Arthur has been burning up the studio with fifteen different releases [in addition to Fader albums with Benge!]. It’s sixteen if I count the “Expanded Mindset” album as well! I knew I was missing out on modern Blancmange, but this is ridiculous. Especially since he’s working with Benge so often. So if Neil Arthur is going to see the loving North American public, then we should do our best to meet him halfway! The last US tour I can see for Blancmange in The States [on setlist.fm] dates back to 1986 and a two week stint!

As for Midge Ure he’s gone all in on the “Band In A Box” samples/loops approach as it allows him to tour extensively with just Charlie Round-Turner playing keys and loops while Midge sings and plays guitar and synths. He’s been touring like this for a while now and if it means no more acoustic solo gigs, I’m more than down with that. Though I was just listening to his 1980 Tour show this week with the three piece Band Electronica and yow, that was some hot stuff. But If this was in easy distance, I’d definitely be attending. Heck, I’d go just for Blancmange!So what are those dates, anyway?

BLANCMANGE/MIDGE URE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2025

• Sat. May 17 | Cruel World Festival 2025 | Pasadena, CA
• Sun. May 18 | The Chapel | San Francisco, CA
• Mon. May 19 | The Oriental Theater | Denver, CO
• Wed. May 21 | Daryl’s House | Pawling, NY [Midge Ure only]
• Thu. May 22 | Sony Hall | New York, NY
• Fri. May 23 | City Winery | Philadelphia, PA [Midge Ure only]
• Sat. May 24 | Classic Bowl | Mississauga, Canada [+ FourOneSix]

Tickets for the Cruel World Festival can be had for $249. A good deal considering the bands filling three stages, but the other shows are roughly between $40 and $60 for general admission tickets. A bargain for Midge Ure and Blancmange! If there were a date at driving distance, I’d be thinking seriously about it and if you find yourself nearby, DJ hit that button!

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