Human League

                                                                                



I dipped my toe back into the world of live music this evening, I attended the Human League playing in the Royal Hall at the Villa Marina. I don't go to many live shows these days; I'm not sure why as I always enjoy them but when I heard that Phil Oakey and Co were going to play in the Isle of Man I just had to go.

I missed all but the last few moments of the warm up act. Looked like an aged Soft Cell tribute. Anyhow after a short break was the main event. What a fantastic show it was. I've always had love for the Sheffield synth bands of the late 1970s & early 80s. It all stemmed from Don't You Want Me and it's video. Christ, if I could have had a Phil Oakey haircut I would have, well him or a Flock of Seagulls. These days Phil and I share a similar cut.

They opened with Mirror Man and after that the hits kept flowing. Phil's fruity baritone voice has lost none of it's polish over the years and co singers Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley provided all the accompaniment he needs. There's a lot more to them than backing singing. Integral part of the band.

It was during Mirror Man that I noticed that the guitarist looked familiar. Only 20 minutes earlier I had seen security trying to usher him into the building with a carrier bag. Rider issues I assume. No green Fruit Pastilles. That's what I'd ask for.

Anyway back to the music. It was fantastic as was the lighting and the projections shown behind the drummer, apart from the film that showed Ed Milliband transmogrifying into Barack Obama.I found that unsettling. The third or fourth song of the set was The Lebanon. Always liked this track but ask me to sing it or write down the lyrics? No chance. After a couple of chords I was word perfect if not in tune. It was the same through the show. 

The main performance ended with their most well know hit, Don't You want Me. It started with the previously mentioned guitarist playing an electric keyboard with none of the vocalists in sight. Singers weren't needed. The crowd was word perfect. Then Phil hits his vocal and Susan reacts. I can still replay the video in my mind but seeing it live was great. I thought this would be their encore song but what do I know. Costume change and an impromptu crowd acapella version of Don't You Want Me and they were back at us. 

I saw some familiar faces at the gig and those I spoke to enjoyed things as much as I did. Although I did see an older gent asleep while stood up. 

Together In Electric Dreams.