The Human League 

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• The Human League

  The Human League started out as an experimental electronic band obsessed with science fiction and the prophetic dystopian novels of JG Ballard. Despite their extreme eccentricity and tendencies to defy conventions they ended up as a huge pop success. They deserved every bit of it. They were a group that created demand; not one which acted as a means to fill it. They anticipated the future of pop music and expressed it to its fullest potential.

  The Human League entered into the mainstream, but approached it in a completely unorthodox manner. If they were to play the game of becoming pop sensations they were going to do it their way. If you go to one of their shows you will not see a stage with guitarists, bass players and drummers, but rather one filled with synths, dancers and a wildly idiosyncratic singer (that of course being Philip Oakley). Well maybe you will find a drummer at the performance (i.e. Rob Barton); however he will not be playing an acoustic set. The instrumentation of the Human League is all electronic and they do not intend to abandon that trait.

  But times have changed and the band has gone in different directions. Founding member Ian Craig Marsh went on to form the equally reputable synth-pop group Heaven 17 and every other member left except Oakey and the two extraordinary vocalist (Joanne Catherall and Susan Sulleey). The Human League is still keeping at it and are releasing consistently good material.

  New tracks such as the club thumping "Night People" are heavily rotated in their setlist and you better believe that they will play the timeless single "Don't You Want Me". The stage presence of the band is formal but characteristically off-kilter and the light designs are state of the art. Their sets often include abstract videos that really compliment the futuristic tone of the band. The Human League have not only proven themselves as artists whose material can stand the test of time, but have shown that they can adapt with and influence current trends in music.

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  by wjmcc

• Saw the show at Bath racecourse 14th sept 2019.Lucky with weather as it was a beautiful early autumn british evening and the band matched the weather. Of course what you get with Human League is a back catalogue rather than new material but what the gig lacked in newness it more than made up for in the quality of the performance of the classics.Phil Oakey dominated the stage in a mesmerising imperious but not threatening way .He seemed to be enjoying himself and I hope he was as he was giving lots of pleasure to an all ages audience .The band members and the girls were great and the sound engineer should be really pleased as the volume and balance was crisp and clear without being overwhelming .

  A great example of 80 minutes classy entertainment .

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  by jjboulter

• Friday, November 18, 2016. Witnessed yet another fun concert by the Human League, here at Paradiso, the pop temple of Amsterdam. Sold out show and if you ever wonder why, just go and see them play live. Sometimes out of key but mostly just a great performance by one of the pioneers of new wave and synthpop. 39 years young and still going strong. Highlights from the show: Don't You Want Me Baby (everyone's favourite), The Lebanon and Together In Electric Dreams. Whenever you get the chance to see them play live... GO!

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  by rve1707

• A brilliant performance by all three bands on the night.

  I thoroughly enjoyed the whole performance programme!

  There were costume changes for not just both girls but Phil too. Bit doubtful about the 'flasher mac' though.

  Lots of favourite songs to sing and dance along to; as well as bringing back great memories. Nice to know Phil's voice hasn't changed! A totally enjoyable way to spend a Saturday evening.

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  by Mimi06

• Absolutely fantastic again - 5th time I have seen them and they are never disappointing, Even better now than in the 80s, right size of venue, I would never go anywhere bigger anymore. Disappointed again with merchandise, so only bought programme. Need to put more thought into styles of T-shirt’s etc, who in their 50s wears round neck shapeless T-shirt’s

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  by debz-church-nee-reay

• Fantastic night, I was a fan of them in the 80’s and I think they’ve got better over time, Phil’s deep voice touched the spots, made me shiver all over. Nearly lost my voice with singing. Never stopped dancing all night. I’ll definitely see them again. Big shout out to The Human League. Lindsay McConnell aka Tinkerbell

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  by lindsay-mcconnell-1

• Fantastic night , great band, Phil and the girls in good voice .

  Excellent light show and a great song list ,The Fabrik grooved to classics like Mirror Man , The Lebanon , Love Action, Being boiled and of course 'Don't you want me ..I'll go again

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  by richard-bamford

• Great night at the Glasgow SEC to see The Human League 35+years on and still a great show. Supported by Midge Ire what a bonus. Took us back to great times and a great sing a long. Would we go again? Damn right in a flash.

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  by Rcamzzz

• Awesome show last night great set with great outfits and some classic songs and some more recent songs very good venue show seemed a bit short and the instruments seemed a little quiet but overall a superb night

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  by christopher-j-bury

• Fantastic, still sounds brillant after all the years, great concert. Played all the hits..very priviledged to have been there!!vocals where as true as back in the 1980s. Made us all feel young again...

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  by Muldred