Alison Moyet Warfield Theatre San Francisco 5th June 2026

 

I didn't get to see Yazoo way back when, all told there wasn't so much opportunity to in their short existence. A schoolmate did go when they played the Brighton Dome in 1982 and he bought me a tour badge, which I still have. Neither did I see them on their 2008 'Reconnected' dates. But I do occasionally listen to 'Upstairs At Erics' and even more occasionally, 'You And Me Both'. Alison Moyet went on to enjoy greater success as a solo artist. Huge hits such 'All Cried Out' and 'That Ole Devil Called Love' were perhaps better suited to her Bluesy vocal than was Basildon synth-pop.

In the context of this electronic '80s package, the focus was inevitably on the Yavoo material and the singles come across really well.... and 'Situation' is still a classic!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-d11BqJazMRWvjiut

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-pcNLafW1Dmy1yJUt

Soft Cell Warfield Theatre San Francisco 5th June 2026

 

Next up on the Generations Warfield bill are Soft Cell. This one is a bit more tricky for me. Soft Cell have been big in my life since I bought 'Tainted Love' back in 1981. Whilst I didn't get to see them until they came back together and played at the Ocean in Hackney in 2001, I saw them play some fantastic gigs. Dave Ball was such a huge part of that, so I think that I would really struggle seeing Soft Cell  without his commanding figure behind the keyboards. Set-wise it's a good mix of new and old, hit and miss - not an easy feat in a limited 11 song set. And I guess that the like's of 'Baby Doll' and 'Martin' could scare sections of the audience away!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-SjYownyMT9JO1NAM

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-uFAUqRcfGCasuw8R

Human League Warfield Theatre San Francisco 5th June 2026

 

We are very much in the era of retro package tours. Promotors, particularly in the US love them. And the business case supporting these arrangements must be positive despite the organisational costs. A while ago I posted on my other site (Aural Sculptors) just such a festival set that occurred at a Californian vineyard last August. It went by the name of 'Lost 80's Live' and featured a collection of bands who had had some chart successes in the 1980s. The Vapors were one such band on the bill, and no disrespect to the band, they had some great material and are still recording new material today, but they played a set of five songs at the event. With such an arrangement I struggle to see how ends meet. That said I am neither a music promotor or an accountant so what do I know.

This is a little different I guess, a package tour of bigger hitters and fewer of them, three in fact. Good for the ticket money I have no doubt. Inevitably, though with so many big hits to fit in the sets are shorter and hit heavy and that's fine, but it doesn't necessarily make for the best gig.

But don't listen to this grumpy old sod... who would be happiest with a complete run through of 'Reproduction' and 'Travelogue'! It's a good gig honestly.

(with thanks to the original Dime uploader (loughney).

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-fKShBgrPBOWm09aG

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-SG7QL7huN58V0hx2

The Guild Theatre Menlo Park CA 8th April 2026

 

Here is a nice sounding recording from one of Numan's frequent dates in California. He and his band really do put some leg work in on the live front!

There's not so much of 'my Numan' in his usual live sets these days, although I have no cause for complaint when he has done so many brilliant retro tours. Listening to 'Films' tonight as I post this (always a favourite) I am transported to an afternoon with my mate Matthew Sands (RIP) spent on Littlehampton beach (Sussex, UK) listening to 'The Pleasure Principle' on an old, clunky tape recorder. It was the summer of 1981, we had started secondary  school the previous autumn and were getting madly into music. It was a great time.

Anyway enough of the pointless reminiscing. Thanks to the original Dime uploader (loughney).

Files will need conversion from 24 bit to 16 bit for those wishing to burn to CD.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-ERU7yhkhNM5qj4k8

Artwork:  https://we.tl/t-LyBDsaJsiCi7HOZ4

Opera House Blackpool 20th October 1983

 

Here's a recording that seems to have entered into circulation only recently. Numan on the Warriors tour in sunny Blackpool (perhaps not in October though). This is not a bad addition to the collection soundwise (despite a couple of dropouts) although sadly it is incomplete in terms of the set. Thanks to the original uploader on 101guitars (Juniper Jarro).

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-ffi0sUV0exm5EoGg

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-2uA1VMpaT4aHjXo5

OMD A Living History (USA March 2011)

Here's a great compilation that appeared on Dimeadozen a good few years ago (and apologies to the original uploader as I cannot find information in order to give credit). From the time of 'History Of Modern' (released in 2010), this collection is a mix of promotional appearances, soundcheck and gig at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles.

Here I must admit that I stopped buying OMD records after 'Dazzle Ships'. The first four albums are brilliant, but their poppier mid '80's material (the likes of 'Locomotion', 'Talking Loud & Clear' and 'Sailing On The Seven Seas') were far less appealing.... give me the bleak soundscape of 'Stanlow' any day!

Notwithstanding my indifference with respect to their later commercial material, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark still stand out as great and pioneering post-punk band and a big part of my teenage years.

The artwork provided is in a 'big box' CD format.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-Y3WykKxq7gx6QhN3

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-nvA4eb8LGjrkFHNQ

Disc One: A Brief History - Amoeba Records

01. A Brief Soundcheck
02. Electricity
03. History Of Modern (Part I)
04. If You Leave
05. Souvenir (Moby Version)
06. Maid Of Orleans
07. Sister Marie Says
08. Enola Gay

Disc One: A Practical History - Music Box Soundcheck

09. Taking Sides Again (Fades In)
10. Messages (Rehearsal Take)
11. Messages (Soundcheck)
12. Tesla Girls
13. Electricity
14. If You Leave
15. Sailing On The Seven Seas
16. Enola Gay
17. Joan Of Arc
18. New Babies: New Toys

Disc Two: A Complete History (Part I)

01. History Of Modern (Part III & IV)
02. New Babies: New Toys
03. Messages
04. Tesla Girls
05. Radio Waves
06. History Of Modern (Part I)
07. (Forever) Live And Die
08. If You Leave
09. Souvenir
10. Joan Of Arc
11. Made Of Orleans
12. New Holy Ground

Disc Three: A Complete History (Part II)

01. Green
02. Talking Loud And Clear
03. So In Love
04. Sister Marie Says
05. Locomotion
06. Dreaming
07. Sailing On The Seven Seas
08. Enola Gay
09. Encore Break
10. Walking On The Milky Way
11. Electricity

City Hall Sheffield 25th September 1983

 

Not London, but Sheffield for this 'Warriors' tour gig. Reasonable sounding audience recording.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-tOrrL1e2qW

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-2u7NvF8dqS