Originals of the British New Wave/Synth scene The Human League dominated the airwaves and charts throughout the 80s with their dark yet stylish post punk electronica, which remains as fresh, current and highly influential today as it did with the release of DARE on the 16th October 1981.
On its release DARE instantly became a landmark album for the British music scene, spreading an exciting new sound to the US and Europe and helping give birth to a whole new era in music. With lyrics firmly embedded in the global politics of the day the band had an image that influenced fashion trends and their style, sound and message changed the face of early 80s club culture, paving the way for the decades of electronic music and clubbing that were to follow.
The band are widely regarded as leaders of the second British Invasion of the US music market and, to this day, remain one of the most highly played bands on MTV worldwide.
DARE contained four hit singles, including the No 1 ‘Don’t You Want Me’ which is arguably the pop-iest track on the album, staying in the charts for five weeks and making the 1981 Xmas No.1 slot. The album earned them a Brit Award the following year and the band continued to grace the top 10 for the next fifteen years, with a resurgence of popularity and commercial success in every decade that has followed. Without doubt their music has inspired generations of fans and influenced many of today’s artists.
The Human League hail from Sheffield and were very much part of an emerging scene there in the late 70s/early 80s. Founder member Philip Oakey then took the band on to huge commercial success after first recruiting two female vocalists, Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley. This three person vocal sound created a unique band line up and all three members have remained in the group to this day. Along with ‘Don’t You Want Me’ singles from DARE including; ‘Love Action’ ‘The Sound Of The Crowd’ ‘Open Your Heart’ & ‘The Things That Dreams Are Made Of’ are a popular feature on any epic list of compilations. The band have also released nine studio albums, two remix albums, one live album, six EPs, thirty singles and since 2001 they have consistently toured and headlined contemporary festivals across the world.
The Human League’s ‘Dare 40 Tour’ also features on the bill the Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey and Altered Images.
Thompson Twins also formed part of the second British Invasion of pop culture to the US and had a string of hits in the eighties including ‘Doctor Doctor’, ‘You Take me Up’, ‘Love on Your Side’ and the enigmatic anthem ‘Hold Me Now’. In 2014 Tom Bailey returned to playing the Thompson Twins catalogue live after a short break of just 27 years. Together with his all female band he played a highly successful 80 date world tour in 2018, most of which was in USA. He released his first solo album ‘Science Fiction’ in 2018.
Fronted by firecracker Clare Grogan, Altered Images are a Scottish band who had frequent chart success during the early 80s combining slightly twisted lyrics with dynamic bubblegum pop. Their extremely memorable hits include; ‘Happy Birthday’, ‘Don’t Talk about Love’ and ‘I Could Be Happy’. Clare is also a highly accomplished and successful actor who has performed on stage, film and television.
THE HUMAN LEAGUE ‘DARE 40’ TOUR DATES 2021
(Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey & Altered Images both support unless otherwise listed)
Fri 03 Dec Leeds First Direct Arena
Sat 04 Dec Birmingham Utilita Arena
Mon 06 Dec Hull Bonus Arena Altered Images Only
Tue 07 Dec Newcastle O2 City Hall Altered Images Only
Thu 09 Dec Glasgow SSE Hydro
Fri 10 Dec Manchester Arena
Sat 11 Dec London SSE Wembley Arena
Mon 13 Dec Nottingham Royal Concert Hall Altered Images Only
Tue 14 Dec Swindon Oasis Altered Images Only
Thu 16 Dec Brighton Centre
Fri 17 Dec Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Sat 18 Dec Bournemouth BIC Windsor Hall
