Whether as a platinum-selling solo artist (with hits like ‘If I Was‘) or as a key member of the iconic British electronic bands Ultravox and Visage, Midge Ure is celebrated for his soaring vocals, pioneering role in the birth of synth-pop, and his gift for crafting melodies that verge on the cinematic.
Beyond his musical legacy, though, Ure holds a significant place in history as the co-founder—alongside Bob Geldof—of the Band Aid charity for African famine relief. He also co-wrote the enduring holiday anthem “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and helped organize the landmark Live Aid concerts, which simultaneously rocked London and Philadelphia on July 13, 1985.
Before the anniversary of that historic day in Philadelphia, Ure brings his intimate Band-in-a-Box two-man tour to City Winery on Friday, May 23. He recently sat down with Metro to discuss his latest tour.
I know Ultravox played London’s half of Live Aid. What can you say about discussions around having the other half in Philly, as opposed to NYC?
I don’t recall why. After talks of doing the US side of Live Aid in NYC, we went with Philadelphia instead. As it transpires, it was obviously the right choice. A city so steeped in history is now forever connected with its empathy and for living up to its reputation as the City of Brotherly Love.
You’ve said that you didn’t think much of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ – its composition – and that it was your singers’ momentum that carried it.
It’s a song with no chorus. If someone was trying to teach you to write a song and construct an arrangement, they would probably use it as an example of how NOT to do it. Saying that, as a record, it still stands up and I’m proud of it on many levels.
You have a huge list of charitable endeavors attached to your name. Why is that important to you?
I’ve generated more money for others than I could ever generate for myself. My drive doing what I do was never fiscal, but purely musical and my payment for doing that is longevity and satisfaction. I don’t understand a billionaire mentality where you strive to generate more money than you know what to do with, just to compete with other billionaires.
Thinking about your take on fame and moving forward, I remember your being the front person of Rich Kids only to leave in time to help start synth-pop. You did something similar with Ultravox. Why leave? What about adventure vs. stability thrills you?
It’s emotional rather than logical, really. As Bono said ‘I still haven’t found what I’m looking for’ only I have. Many times.
Any comment about fellow Rich Kids Glen Matlock re-forming the Sex Pistols with another singer, not Johnny Rotten?
Everyone has a brand. The Pistols were a brand contrived by Malcom McLaren to sell Vivian Westwood clothes. The difference all these years later is the guys have reformed on their own terms to play for audiences who never had the chance to experience them live back in the day.
You play electronically-envisioned Visage and Ultravox songs on acoustic guitar during your shows. Did you sense they were great songs or was it technology that piqued your interest?
No one knew we were creating great songs at the time. We were hopefully making interesting songs. The passage of time makes them greater than they ever were. We see and hear and remember things like music through rose tinted glasses and a bit of nostalgia and sometimes we all need to feed on that. Others decide if anything you have done is perceived worthy.
Are you thrilled to be part of Cruel World this weekend, with younger audiences united for that sound, and artists such as you and Nick Cave as its center?
It will be interesting to see that audience demographic. I presume it’s a mixture of ages, the hardcore who lived with this music all their lives and newer generations who weren’t born when this music was created 40+ years-ago. It’s fantastic that anything I may have had a hand in making resonates all this time later.
What is Band-in-a-Box?
Band-in-a-box is a keyboard player, me and a bit of technology, which enables two people to perform some of the classic songs without the vast cost, expense and pain of taking a full crew across the planet. I devised this to tour with old friend Howard Jones in North America years back.
Are there songs of yours that you enjoy tackling the most?
Songs are a songwriter’s babies. You love them all, but sometimes they can annoy you. Some songs have grown over the years and you like them more than some of the very established ones. Maybe because you don’t play those ones as much as the expected hits. ‘The Maker’ has had a revival, recently as has ‘Spielberg Sky.’
Are there any songs that you’ve written that still make you stop and think?
I rarely listen to old stuff, only when I’m looking for something I haven’t played live for a while and it can be a sobering experience. Sometimes you are surprised the songs still work and other times you can’t remember what you were trying to do at the time. We all grow and change over the years. Our opinions, taste, style all move on but I’m pleased to say I still stand by just about everything in my past and I’m pleased some of it still resonates today.
Band-in-a-Box hits the City Winery stage on Friday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m. For information and tickets, visit citywinery.com
