ABC, Go West, Johnny Hates Jazz, The Christians, Toyah, und Hue and Cry

There’s probably no single genre of music that represents the eighties quite as accurately, or as obviously, as new wave; it genuinely is synonymous with the decade, and among its genuine success stories were ABC, who formed in Sheffield back in 1980, right in time for the sound’s explosion. Their debut album The Lexicon of Love was a huge success on both sides of the Atlantic, topping the charts in the UK and making the top twenty-five over in the U.S., and spawned a slew of hits that were not only successes in terms of sales and radio play at the time, but continue to stand up as classics of the genre today, especially their signature song ‘Poison Arrow’. Although singer Martin Fry now remains the sole original member - he tours with a new backing group for the most part, with David Palmer only briefly rejoining him as part of VH1’s Bands Reunited programme in 2004 - the ABC name continues to be used for both live shows and new material, with Fry still proving himself both an engaging frontman and a fine singer, too. They regularly line up alongside other eighties acts like T’Pau and Rick Astley, so there’s plenty of opportunity for a multi-faceted blast of nostalgia where their shows are concerned, too.

In popular terms, at least, Go West are probably best remembered for hits like ‘We Close Our Eyes’, ‘Call Me’ and ‘King of Wishful Thinking’, which proved to be top ten smashes across the globe, but it’s actually in terms of their different take on the pop genre in the eighties that the duo will be best remembered; when everybody else was rushing to incorporate new wave stylings into their music at a time when that particular genre was absolutely de rigeur, Richard Drummie and Peter Cox were opting for an altogether more soulful sound, and their bravery in defying the conventions of the day was undoubtedly one that was rewarded by the success they enjoyed. In the years since their eighties heyday, the London pair have continued to write and record, releasing their first album in sixteen years, futurenow, in 2008, and following it up with an ambitious, three-part series, titled 3D, that was comprised of nine different EPs of new material - the records dropped in 2010, 2011 and 2013 respectively. In terms of live performance, they’ve continued to play eighties and nostalgia festivals across the country, with a couple lined up for later this year in the UK.

The show was good overall, Altered images opened proceedings and were very light hearted in an almost empty theatre, when the Christians arrived Garry was slightly embarrassed from the lack of turn out; however the performance was fantastic, I would have paid the money just to see the Christians and their set was full of all the hits with a fantastic cover of Marvin Gaye's Inner city blues, and I immediately bought the new album on leaving; a great cd of the aforementioned hits accompanied by a string quartet and gospel singers, chilled is not the word. I have booked to see them again in Runcorn in April.
Midge Ure rounded off the proceedings and I felt a little let down he seemed to struggle vocally, understandably on some of the top notes but 10 minutes of the show were given up to a short film about his next orchestrated album, I don't want to appear unfair but from a vocal performance Garry left the rest in his wake. Vienna was good and fade to grey was a highlight as well as tears in your eyes which for me saved Midge's set from being ok to good. But in an ideal world we can only harvest the words.

Not good at writing reviews.I was told by a music friend that "Sir Fripp's wife" has a band and they are playing in London. How come I hadn't heard about the Humans!!! one of my greatest live experiences ever.2 Bass guitars by Chris Wong and Bill Rieflin whom I could not wait to see playing Drum! I am preparing myself for a 2 nights King Crimson live on September,( certainly a dream will come true),and didn't have any clue that Bill is a GENIUS, I know him first from his collaboration with Treyy Gun and Robert Fripp at a masterpiece album called " Repercussions of angelic behaviour" and you can say one of the greatest drummers ever.AND TOYAH, brilliant voice,such a character she is. the gig was last night and today I listened to their new album "Strange Tales" for my 3rd time.IMPRESSIVE,

We haven't been to this venue before and will definitely be coming back. Great place and Hue and Cry were fantastic, The overall sound was exceptional. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back.