80's calling
by SD on 26/08/2025Darlington Arena - DarlingtonRating: 5 out of 5Human League put on a fantastic performance as did all other bands. Had a brilliant time and would definitely go and see them again.

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Pioneers in the UK's new wave movement
The Human League were formed in 1977 by synth duo Martyn Ware and Ian Marsh. Following a short stint as The Future, and joined by Philip Oakley and Adrian Wright, The Human League released their debut Being Boiled single in 1978. After a tour alongside Siouxsie & The Banshees and an instrumental EP, the band unveiled their full-length debut Reproduction and follow-up Travelogue before both founding members Ware and Marsh departed the band citing creative differences.
With Wright and Oakley remaining, they enlisted bassist Ian Burden alongside vocalists Susan Ann Sully and Joanne Catherall. Although Burden would go on to depart the band in 1987, that period would see The Human League release Dare, their defining 1981 record that spawned the new wave staple Don't You Want Me, alongside fellow UK top ten singles Love Action (I Believe In Love) and Open Your Heart.
Hitting No.1 on the UK album chart and going triple Platinum, Dare led the way for The Human League's synth domination of the '80s. The band went on to release Hysteria in 1984 and Crash in 1986. Both their sound and aesthetic heavily influenced the electronic scene, acting as catalysts for the growth of club culture for years to come. During a short hiatus from the band, Oakley also recorded a collaborative LP with producer Giorgio Moroder which included the track Together In Electric Dreams.
With Burden no longer part of The Human League, Oakley, Sully and Catherall released Romantic? in 1990, their final album on longtime label Virgin. Octopus came out on EastWest in 1995, marking their return to the top ten on the UK album chart and securing Gold certification. Two more studio albums followed; 2001's Secrets (inspired by the reemergence of synth in popular music), and Credo a full decade later. The Human League also released a number of compilation, live and rarity albums, cementing their legacy well into the the millennium with high profile tours and festival appearances.
In 2020, The Human League announced a 40 year anniversary tour for Dare, joined on the road by Altered Image and Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins, and promising a performance of the album in its entirety alongside select hits from across their catalogue.
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The Human League will celebrate 40 years of Dare in the following UK towns and cities:
The Human League announced the Dare 40 tour, performing across the UK in December 2021.
The Human League will be supported by Altered Image and Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins on select dates. Please check individual listings.
As of 2020, The Human League are:
The Human League's songs include:
Human League put on a fantastic performance as did all other bands. Had a brilliant time and would definitely go and see them again.
My wife and I went to see Human League, along with quite a few other bands at the Darlington arena to see the back to the 80's tour. All of the artists were absolutely brilliant and Human League were absolutely amazing, you would think you were in the 80's. They don't make music like this anymore, thank you Ticketmaster buying the tickets is really easy and you know that you won't be getting scammed.
Brilliant day out. Got great communication with ticket master sending e mails throughout
Brilliant day. Weather was perfect which help. Line up was amazing and all the acts were amazing. Excellent from start to finish.
I stayed from the 1.00 pm start until around 7.00 pm, so didn't see Banarama or The Human League (I've seen the League a few times). What I did see, was a lovely day out watching and listening to some great acts. Excellent atmosphere, other than during the Christians' set - don't know exactly what upset the singer, but he seemed pretty unhappy throughout. Great to relive some of the music from our younger days, I enjoyed (as always) Altered Images - despite Clare's early fall in her new shoes ! But I think my favourite was Toyah. Among an outstanding cast list, she really entered into the spirit of the day - and had the crowd loving the sounds and spectacle. What a day, thanks for putting it on !
Band and act wise if was a fantastic day, even though the sound quality of the first 3-4 acts was rather disappointing and given there was a full day previously felt any issues should have been ironed out for this event ! Can understand the alcohol ban but that just seemed to be an excuse to charge exorbitant prices for standard cans of beer/lager/cider etc. The food ban I couldn't understand, and whilst there was a fairly good variety of food this again was charged at high prices (£14 for a small pizza and £8.50 for a rather poor looking burger? ) This just seems to be the norm nowadays and whilst I'm no skinflint I do object to being exploited, which I did ! That aside, the acts were all good and as you would expect got better as the day went on leading up to the finale. And the general organisation was very good and not to OTT ant the entrance to the event, which sometimes happens ! Overall, an excellent day which brought back a lot of musical memories from days gone by ! - lol !!
Always Been A Fan Of The Human league Couldn't Miss This opportunity to see them live They were absolutely fantastic The place was packed They are still pulling crowds after 40 years Fair Play To Them
Absolutely awesome took me right back to my teenage years. Phil Oakey still awesome at nearly 70. Thanks for making my 2025👏
A truly brilliant day out at Dundee Calling. All the bands were great through the day but as night fell ABC came on and produced a flawless set. To close the day was the mighty Human League. They looked great and sounded even better. Fantastic
We had gold tickets which were great for viewing and space Private toilets were clean but not enough of them Food outlets ran out of food and the normal potable toilets couldn't really cope Constant long queues The canned beer and cider wasnt cooled The prices were as you'd expect The good points; the bands and atmosphere was fantastic If they sell 3000 tickets they need to have the catering and facilities for 3000 people Great day out spoiled by poor facilities and warm beer !!