MIDGE Ure is promising a real treat for fans who have followed his music over the years with his new show which comes to Manchester later this month.

After several years touring with his acoustic show, Midge - who has had hits with Visage and Ultravox plus considerable solo success - will be returning with a full electronic band and he’s promising a few surprises.

“Having done a couple of years with the acoustic thing and thoroughly enjoying that, I just felt it was time to get my electric guitar back on and get the synthesisers out,” he said.

“It’s actually laptops these days rather than synthesisers but I wanted to get the electronics out and play some of the songs I haven’t played for a long time.”

The show will see Midge supported by The Christians and Altered Images with Clare Grogan and although the music will certainly dip back into the Eighties, Midge has a plea for the fans. who may have been to some heritage festivals during the summer.

“Just don’t come dressed as a Smurf,” he said. “I’d like to meet the person who started all that. I played Top of the Pops in the Eighties and nobody dressed like that. I don’t know where that came from.

“I think there’s a dress code version of Chinese whispers been going on where somebody somewhere said ‘Oh, we used to wear tutus’ and now you’ve got all these guys turning up in pink and blue tutus and Rod Stewart wigs.

“This show is about the music. You’re going to hear some stuff you’ve never heard live.”

It’s hard to believe that Midge - one of the driving forces behind Live Aid - is now 63. And he remains as busy as ever.

“I do some motivational speaking for my sins,” he said. “Someone asked me recently if I was thinking about retiring.

“Most people retire from a job they don’t like to follow a hobby. I’d have to retire and then get a job in B&Q

“I’ve managed to squeeze every bit of enjoyment out of my life as I can because my hobby has turned into my livelihood.

“I’m know I’m one of the lucky ones.”

In heading into a back catalogue as extensive as Midge’s putting a set together can be a challenge.

“Songs work easier when you keep them nearer the format they were done in originally,” he said. “The hard part is when you take the song out of its comfort zone and take it away from what everyone knows and try to do something equally interesting but in a completely different way. That’s a really tough order.

“Going out to do the electronic stuff, the main issue is all the preparation. It takes a long time.

“I’ve already started preparing the sounds and doing the programming which means you don’t have to take 20 keyboards out with you.

“Quite rightly an audience shouldn’t see what’s going on behind the scenes but believe me there is a lot.

“When Ultravox went out on the road a few years ago, we rehearsed for six weeks for a three week tour, We spent more time playing for each other than we did for an audience!”

Even with early days in Ultravox and songs such as the classic Vienna, Midge was a pioneer when it came to using technology.

“The technology you use on stage is not far removed from the technology you use in the studio,” he said, “so you kind of keep up with it as much as you can.

“I think the rate technology changes, you could end up sitting there reading manuals all day rather than using the technology to make music so I try to limit the amount of technology that gets thrown at me and just use what I need.”

The new tour has given Midge the opportunity to introduce songs which he hasn’t performed live for some time, if at all.

“With social media people ask you if you will play this song or why you don’t play that song,” he said.

“To be honest most of what they ask for is what you play anyway but every so often someone will ask for something and I will have to go on to Spotify.

“I don’t own any of it, so I have to go on Spotify to listen to my own stuff and occasionally you’ll find a song that you have forgotten.”

Certain songs, such as Vienna, almost have to be part of the set but Midge doesn’t resent them even though he’s played them so many times before.

“Certain songs you get a buzz from because they are fun to play. Others you get a buzz out of the reaction the song gets and that kind of gets you through,” he said.

He’s particularly pleased with the make-up of the tour.

“I think it’s about music that has stood the test of time.” he said. "I do think it’s a very good package.”

Midge Ure and Band Electronica with The Christians and Altered Images, Manchester Opera House, Wednesday, October 25. Details from 0844 871 3018