I have a friend who really wants me to go with him to see a show featuring The Human League, Nik Kershaw, Go West and The Choirboys (who I don’t know at all). I have never been to one of these nostalgia circuit things…I assume each band come on for about 30 minutes and as they are headlining, perhaps HL’s set is a bit longer..?
Reader, I am worried about this. My feeling is that Go West and Nik Kershaw will be just fine, perhaps a pared-down band and a good-natured run through of some great pop songs. Much like the recent China Crisis gig.
My worry is The Human League. I think there’s an element of them thinking they’re a going concern and will play it ice-cool and 100% seriously. I suppose I wouldn’t want it any other way…but knowing the local crowd here in NZ and how refreshed they will be by the time the (KF)FHMs come on – there may be open laughter from the f-wit contingent and caterwauling from the cheap seats.
Has anyone seen them in recent years? I really like them a great deal.
Choirboys or late-80s glam-metal Quireboys?
I once saw the Human League in the Royal Albert Hall. It was by far the worst sound ever (this was before the RAH replaced their PA system). Best thing about it was I bought a Viz cartoon full-colour The Adventures of The Human League in Outer Space t-shirt from the merch stall.
No it’s definitely Choirboys – an Australian outfit. My Kiwi wife knows of them.
Never the same since their voices broke.
Makes sense, as there is nothing New Pop about glam-metallers. I quite liked them at the time, saw them live and bought their LP.
I suspect Freddy is the AW’s Quireboys expert.
Still going, but no longer with original vocalist Spike.
He was sacked / asked to leave last year and there is now some hoo-hah going down about who owns the name. Spike joined forces with some other original members and is possibly releasing new stuff soon. Although under what name?
Echoes of Sham69 situation …
Not me guv. Not NWOBHM enough.
Highly unlikely that Human League, Nik Kershaw and Go West will all bring their own musicians with them, so there will probably be local musicians backing all of the acts, in order to save costs. Having the same basic band throughout would be a sensible choice for both promoters and artists.
Could be either really good or really bad, or somewhere in between.
The RAH gig I mention above was on the ‘comeback album’ Octopus tour in 1995 (!) and I only recognised Phil and the girls.
“Could be either really good or really bad, or somewhere in between.”
Mystic Mike_H tells it like it is…
“I’m getting a message… is there a Phil? He has something to tell you…”
Covering all bases.
This just in.. “She doesn’t want you, Phil.”
I cannot see it happening, but I would love to see a one off gig by the original Human League line up playing songs from the first two albums.
I think the closest we’ll get to that is a Martyn Ware/Heaven 17 gig where he invited Phil, but with Glenn doing Phil’s vocals instead.
I think that was the plan pre-Covid, the gigs were put back several times, and I don’t know if they ever finally went ahead. I have a chum who might know.
I went to a local outdoor gig a few years ago which The League headlined. It was a hot day, so while a lot of the punters got shitfaced, we and other more music orientated souls moved down the front.
The League were really good as long as you are not expecting deep cuts but we did get Empire State Human and Being Boiled and the overrefreshed behind us were happy to hear Dont You Want Me.
I`d go and enjoy it as Joanne and Suzanne whip up the audience, while Phil stands there…. being Phil!
A friend of mine (oft mentioned here) was one of those “Could you please autograph this mountain of stuff and can I get a photo with you” sorts, though good with it. On his FB page about such things, he wrote in 2017 after the League had toured here…
“The first time I saw the Human League was 35 years ago at Thebarton Theatre. We did meet them back then, but it was hard work. When approached Phil took the lead and said “I don’t think we are doing that here”. I said, innocently, “At the hotel? Should we go to the venue?” and he said “No, in Australia!” And we said “!?!’,” because what do you say to that? “Let’s just see'” said Phil. Susanne and Joanne stood behind him scowling, and we didn’t hold any hope of success.
After being in the restaurant for a couple of hours, they came back out and we stood up. “I suppose if we don’t sign autographs you will be here all night will you?”….Probably, we said. They grudgingly put pen to record sleeves, no photos though.
Since then they have returned a couple of times and been very gracious. I interviewed Phil on one tour and I mentioned the first tour and he said “Was I horrible to you? I am so sorry if I was. Things had changed so quickly and it was a coping mechanism”. Last week they were so lovely and the show was fantastic.”
Phil came across as a decent bloke on the Synth Britannia documentary that was on BBC4 few years back. Down to earth and witty.
Like Rob Halford on the Heavy Metal Britannia doc around the same time, he was the one you could most imagine having a drink with.
In fairness to the Human League, they had two number ones in America, plus at least a few other songs most people will know (Love Action, for example). If they throw in Together in Electric Dreams…let’s just say the Killers have headlined Glastonbury on thinner material.
You damn them with faint praise, 8 Top 10 hits in the UK, 17 Top 40 hits.
Certainly wasn’t my intention – I’m always surprised they’re on nostalgia bills. I assumed they’d have more than enough material to justify playing big venues.
I saw Ver Leeg on the Dare 40th Anniversary Tour a couple of years ago. They were very polished and professional, if a tad sterile. The set comprised a clutch of post-Dare hits, followed by the album in full, with an encore of Being Boiled and TIED. I got a bit dizzy watching Oakey dash hither and thither across the stage, looking like one of Fu Manchu’s henchmen. But it was overall a very enjoyable evening (helped along considerably by the thrill of seeing Clare Grogan/Altered Images supporting). I’d recommend if you’re a fan.
Saw Ver League live a few years back and can confirm, given time for a full set, they see themselves as a functioning band and you will get the likes of Circus Of Death or Empire State Human, but, I guess, if it’s a nostalgia multi-bill you’d have to expect them to stick to the hits.
Coincidentally, I’m presently smitten with this dude’s remix of Dare and Love & Dancing. It’s just the kind of thing I like – freshen everything up, don’t change the crucial bits too much and lift the lesser bits (in fact, the bit from Darkness to Seconds is probably the highlight here):
I saw one of these retro tours so long ago that I can’t recall all the acts that took part (possibly Go West, maybe Kim Wilde?), but IIRC the League were the headliners. I do remember it being largely the singers or main players of various 80s groups taking turns in front of a band of obviously well-honed session musicians.
Initially I thought it was a little sad that these once mighty stars had to team up in order to sell tickets, but went away having had a really good night. It was hit after hit performed by people who were obviously having a great time in front of fans reliving their youth with their former heroes. More power to them.
Similar when I went to a Rewind event – most had the same backing band and very competent they were too.
A couple of bands turned up with their own bands intent on playing their usual set.
I enjoyed both Lightning Seeds and Adam Ant set – not many others seem bothered.
Adam Ant came back for an encore and (begrudgingly?) played Prince Charming because that’s what the slightly more lubricated faction of the crowd were shouting for for about half his 20 minute set.
Earlier this year I saw Nik Kershaw in Ibiza (get me!) as part of a festival. I don’t know his stuff except for the hits – which I’m also not mad about – so I wasn’t really that engaged, but he did have a good band with him.
Wouldn’t it be good to be in Ibiza?
Just for a single day.
Did he let the sun go down on him while he was playing?
You shouldn’t have any concerns about the Human League. Their songs are famously simple and synthesisers are easy to play with a few chops. The singing doesn’t require a voice with an amazing range. A good time is guaranteed.
Phil actually has a great voice. (Much less so the ladies!)
It’s a real shame that he has not recorded it more.
But he doesn’t really sing does he? He just talks, he’s said as much.
And they don’t really dance, do they? They… erm… what exactly *is* it those two do?
“This is Phil talking!”
😬