Heaven 17

Over a year has passed since my last gig blog. To keep up the theme it was Sheffield synth again. 

First an apology. In my review of the Human League I might not have too complimentary about the support act, Jules Verne Theory. They were supporting again this time. Having heard the whole set I would recommend giving them ago. The vocalist held his notes and synth ebbed and flowed as it should.

Anyway, on to the main attraction. Heaven 17. Formed back in the late 1970s after a split in the Human League these boys were part of the Steel City synth movement. They started with a track which I would describe as "industrial synth"; it was an early Human League track from before the split so right on that front. It was followed by one of their stand out tracks; Fascist Grove Thang. The crowd were pulled in by this. It was one of those gigs where I'm not 100% on track names but when you're there does it matter? 

It was around this time Glen introduced us to the rest of the band. We all know Martyn Ware, on additional keyboards is Berenice Scott and backing vocals: Rachel and Haley. After introducing Haley as newly wed and with a convoluted crossover we were into "Come Live With Me" Tune. 

After some more synth classics: Crushed By The Wheels of Industry & Who'll Stop The Rain; Glen started working the crowd. Name checking the two kid at the front. ( who takes 9 year old to a gig?) helping with selfies and generally encouraging the audience. All I can say is we come to see the band, not the stupid. Anyway, Temptation. Probably their best know track. It was fantastic. It started off with Rachel getting all over the vocals with Glen leaving the stage. In what I can only describe as a live re mix she kicked ass with the vocals before Glen was back to sprinkle his magic dust on the track.  It was a great end to the set.

After the normal chanting there was an encore. Glen came out with Berenice and a moving cover of Bowie's Life on Mars. The rest of the band came back for another Bowie cover, Boys. They finished with an early Human League track "Being Boiled" or Voice of Budda. What a way to end the show. 

This can only mean my next gig is Cabaret Voltaire