The Human League with special guest Altered Images, perform their Dare 40 Tour at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Monday 13th December 2021

Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

It was forty years since synth pop band, The Human League released their third studio album, Dare, and they were at the Royal Concert Hall last night to celebrate its anniversary.

The evening of 80s nostalgia began with a short support set from the newly reformed Altered Images, fronted by Clare Grogan, whose sassiness and sense of fun has never left her. With a set that included I Could Be Happy and Change Of Heart she delighted the packed crowd with her mass sing along, Happy Birthday. With a new album due for release next summer, it wouldn’t be surprising if they have a headline tour of their own.

An orchestral fanfare announced the arrival of The Human League onto a stage that had a backdrop of both real and fake stairs, and when a three piece band opened with the synth strains of 1982’s Mirror Man, the eager crowd were immediately on their feet.

With front man Phil Oakey flanked by Joanne Cathedral and Susan Ann Sulley, they delivered a selection of their songs that had spanned their careers. Keep Feeling (Fascination), The Lebanon and Human had the crowd dancing in the aisles and showcased Oakey’s trademark vocals which do not appear to have aged at all.

Several costume changes later and the familiar intro from The Things That Dreams Are Made Of got a huge roar of approval which heralded the start of Dare. They played all ten tracks in order so hits like Open Your Heart and The Sound Of The Crowd were warmly received.

The tempo was slightly lowered with Get Carter, I Am The Law and the quieter contemplative Seconds but Love Action (I Believe In Love) and Don’t You Want Me raised it right back up there.

A two song encore followed which included the haunting Being Boiled, before the only non Human League song of the evening, Together In Electric Dreams brought to an end a fabulous night which saw the audience as exhausted as Oakey who had never stood still all night.

Midge Ure, The Christians and Altered Images featuring Clare Grogan performing their Together In Concert Tour at the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Tuesday 14th November 2017.

Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

A trio of musical heavyweights arrived in Nottingham for an evening of retro pop at the Royal Concert Hall last night. The show, which was simply branded Together In Concert featured 80s stars, Midge Ure and his Electronica Band, The Christians and Altered Images featuring Clare Grogan.

Throughout the course of the evening, these talented artists turned back the clocks and walked their loyal fan base down memory lane. Up first were Altered Images who are still led by 55 year old Clare Grogan, who looked great. She danced, jumped around and started the party as she always did. Throughout their 30 minute set she took the audience through the likes of Change Of Heart, the punky Dead Pop Stars and the unmistakable Happy Birthday which definitely got the crowd in the right mood.

The Christians are currently celebrating their 30^th anniversary and during the course of their set, they brought a distinctively calmer, soulful sound to the proceedings. Hanging on to every word, the audience sang along to the likes of Forgotten Town and Ideal World. Front man Gary Christian really struck a chord with the audience with his engaging witty banter before closing their set with a pair of fans favourites in the shape of Hooverville and their take on The Isley Brothers classic, Harvest For The World.

After a short interval, there was the opportunity to plug Midge Ure’s forthcoming studio album, Orchestrated, before the real brains behind Live Aid, lead singer with Ultravox and a great solo performer came onto the stage with his two keyboardists and drummer. Having put his acoustic set to one side he was reunited once more with both his synthesisers and electric guitars as he delivered a set which was predominantly filled with Ultravox classics. There were new wave favourites like the synth heavy Fade To Grey, the anthemic Dancing With Tears In My Eyes and Ultravox’s classic hit, Vienna, which completely captivated the Concert Hall audience.

These 80s artists had provided three powerful reasons why the decade was sensational for music, and one in which this audience were more than keen to show their appreciation for.