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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
2:40 PM 15th December 2014
arts

Gig Review: The Human League - 02 Academy Leeds

 
Making a welcome return to Leeds, The Human League played to a sell out audience at the Leeds o2 Academy.

With a white stage set. Lead singer Phil Oakey appeared on stage dressed all in black: it was a great contrast. "We're pleased to be here in Leeds" he informs the fans" Although we are from Sheffield I used to live in Alwoodley" he continues.

What follows are songs that defined pop music in the early to mid 1980's. Mirror Man, Seconds, The Lebanon and Life on Your Own still sound as good now as they did over 30 years ago. It is not all about the past though; they perform tracks off their last album, Credo. Egomaniac and Night People sound like the band still have plenty to say.

Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall stand at the side of Oakey throughout the show: Sulley looks to be enjoying herself whilst Catherall at times looks to be going through the motions - perhaps though that is her image. Both the females have several costume changes during the gig.

Oakey returns to the stage to perform Love Action wearing a white suit - looking like the ghost out of 60's TV show, Randell and Hopkirk (Deceased). He looks stylish and it has to be said, has worn well over the years. "You don't get this at a Spandau Ballet gig" he tells the fans.

(Keep Feeling) Fascination closes the night before the band return to the stage to perform Don't You Want Me. The track starts off as an instrumental and the fans sing the words out loud before Oakey takes over.

Human and Together in Electric Dreams closes the night. The gig had been fantastic, the atmosphere electric. A brilliant night of pure pop pleasure.