STOKE 2007 REVIEWS

 

www.thisisthesentinel.co.uk December 2007

Luke Gessner

PERFORMANCE WAS IN DIFFERENT LEAGUE

Anyone thinks that The Human League are a touring band who have had their day but can still sell tickets and so still pound the road to do so, then think again, very seriously.I can say, quite honestly, that I have never had the privilege of watching a band much better than this.

I had to get that off my chest, where do I go now?

Having listened casually and inattentively to their music in the past, I would say I always had a respect for them. Their songs are catchy, well written and unique enough for you to know you are not listening to 'factory produced' music for the masses.

 

It has a stamp on it, an individual character that shows that the music has been thought about.


They now have a real fan in me, that is for sure.


With a synthesised sound that travels through the audience via a time warp from 1980, The Human League don't try and lie about what they are, or become creative beyond the point of recognition.


The group's set list featured every track from their iconic album Dare.

 

They seem to have moved with the ages and stopped the clock at the same time.

 

It is still the keyboard electronica sound we know and love, but used in a way that you could almost describe as slow techno. They are a little deeper and darker now but if anything that makes it more interesting.


It didn't take long for the classics to start flowing, I was seriously concerned about the long-term future of my ear drums when the opening riff from Don't You Want Me kicked in.


The audience it seemed got what they wanted to hear at this point.

On the subject of halves, there was a strange interlude halfway through the act where an instrumental song was played by the highly talented band.

 

The song seemed to freeze rather like a CD jumping, and the same four bars of music were played over and over for what seemed to be 10 minutes.


That ignored, this was a truly fantastic gig. They have still got it and in absolute abundance. Arms in the air for the standing ovation said it all.