The Human League Live in HK
KITEC, October 13
We do like a bit of the Human League, those early pioneers of the synthpop sound, battlers through the grunge period, and influential artists to many electro-popsters today. But we do have to say that their gigs are a little awkward. Awkward in the way that Phil Oakey is the only person allowed to move around the stage, often dressed like the villain from a slasher flick; in the way that Joanna Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley dance a little like new-age therapists; in the tacit understanding among 90 percent of the crowd that they are really only there for one song.
The Sheffield trio (turn six-piece for their live show) make up for this in other ways: cheeky projections – like the kissing nuns – an overwhelming presence of keytars and a faithfulness to their nostalgia-inducing hits. That tune, Don’t You Want Me, was one of the highs of the night, up there with Mirror Man and Human. But it was evening closer Together in Electric Dreams that was perhaps the highlight.
Awkward? Perhaps a tad. A triumph in synthpop nostalgia? Definitely.
Setlist
Never Let Me Go
Open Your Heart
Sound Of The Crowd
Heart Like A Wheel
The Lebanon
Egomaniac
Empire State Human
Night People
Human
Love Action (I Believe In Love)
All I Ever Wanted
Tell Me When
Mirror Man
(Keep Feeling) Fascination
Don’t You Want Me
________________
Being Boiled
Together In Electric Dreams
Tags:
- 80s,
- Electro-pop,
- Pop,
- Review
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