Venue
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.
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:
From the moment they appeared on stage the show was exceptional. I thought I would enjoy the show - but I loved it. Tremendous energy and what a voice - even better than i remembered from the 80's. Great acoustic venue as well
Human League put on an amazing show. Phil Oakeys voice is as good as ever! Support acts were great too, but it was a shame that the screens were not on for them, as it was hard to see them from up in the gods!
We enjoyed T Pau, Sophie Ellis Bexter and Human League! Amazing show by them all!! The Wembley Arena venue was disappointing. The lack of signage to prepaid car park was not helpful, nothing to indicate where to actually enter the arena once there, thankfully staff were super efficient. The seating was very uncomfortable and snug as most people were putting it. I think we will stick with the o2 in future and rethink any gigs at Wembley.
The concert was fantastic, more than I can say for the venue. The staff had no idea where the seats were and nothing was signposted. Putting that aside, totally blown away by the perfomances.
great show from human league with 2x excellent support acts. full on from 7pm.
Human League were amazing - years later, but voices excellent. Sang a lot of their old songs - the crowd went wild! Equally impressive were T'Pau & Sophie Ellis Bextor who were great "fluffers". Sophie's voice was truly magnificent.
I'm partially sighted and my first visit to the first direct arena the whole experience beyond the bands was just memorable.
Amazing night ! great singing and fantastic sets and lights a great experience !
Saw The Human League at Wembley arena and the show was fantastic. I've seen them so many times I've lost count and they never disappoint. I like the fact the set is white because they as performers stand out, at some other artists shows it's often hard to see the singers! They really got the crowd going. Will definitely see them again.
Excellent tickets and the human league were great. Sophie Ellis Bextor and T Pau
