The Human League - Sydney - March 8 2024

Another fabulous night of 80s’ nostalgia. This time with The Human League performing their 1981 album ‘Dare!’ in full, plus a handful of their other best known songs, a total of 19 tracks. It was terrific getting the opportunity to hear some of those songs which are rarely played live. Here are my seven picks:

The Lebanon (00:06)
The Things That Dreams Are Made Of (04:24)
Open Your Heart (08:34)
I Am the Law (12:46)
Seconds (16:53)
Don't You Want Me (21:54)
Being Boiled (25:52)

As usual with bands that are playing songs 40+ years old, I was a little apprehensive about just how well they’d be performed. But The Human League did an excellent job of reproducing the original sound. Philip Oakey’s voice has barely changed at all. Any problems with my sound recording (and there is some distortion) is entirely as a result of where I was standing, against the barrier and not far from a speaker. The worst place in any venue for good sound quality. Still, it turned out better than I feared it would.

It was a wonderful night reliving some of the biggest hits of the early 80s. Everyone on stage was continually smiling and seemed to be having a great time. And the constant costume changes were an added bit of fun. What with Devo a few months ago, and now The Human League, I’m going to be expecting more from musicians' wardrobes in future.