Human League: Unrecognisable but Still Rocking After 43 Years
The Human League, a band synonymous with the iconic sounds of the 80s, took to the stage at Tramlines Festival in Sheffield, showcasing their enduring appeal despite a significant shift in their appearance.
Forty-three years after their global smash hit "Don't You Want Me" topped the charts, the band's lead singer, Phil Oakey, 68, now sports a shaved head, a far cry from his 80s persona. However, the iconic sound remained as the group captivated the crowd with their performance.
Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley, both 61, looked effortlessly glamorous in all-black outfits, their signature high hairdos and sunglasses adding a touch of retro chic to their modern style.
The band's journey began in the 70s, with Oakey, Martyn Ware, and Ian Craig Marsh forming the original line-up. However, after creative differences led to a split in 1980, Ware and Marsh left the group.
Oakeyâs search for new members led him to Catherall and Sulley at Sheffield's Crazy Daisy nightclub. Despite their initial hesitation and parental disapproval, the duo auditioned for the band and became integral members of the iconic 80s trio.
âPhilip saw Joanne and me together at the club, but he hadn't heard us sing. We were obviously friends and looked after each other. We did an audition and Joanne and I got the gig," Sulley recounted to the Belfast Telegraph.
The new line-up swiftly earned recognition, winning a Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act in 1982. They continue to perform to this day, bringing their iconic music to a new generation of fans.
This weekend, The Human League will perform at Colchester Castle's 80's Calling! festival. Their festival season concludes in August with a performance at Deva Fest, held at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire.
The group will then embark on their Generations 2024 European tour, performing eight arena shows in the run-up to Christmas. The tour will see them take to the stage in cities including Cardiff, Manchester, London, Glasgow, and Birmingham.
Adding to the excitement, The Human League will be joined by two special guests: hitmaker Sophie Ellis-Bextor and fellow 80s icons TâPau, promising a nostalgic and electrifying experience for fans.
