Long before synth-pop became the blueprint for modern radio, a group of visionaries from Sheffield decided that traditional guitars were officially old news. The Human League, with primitive synthesizers, bold asymmetric haircuts, and an ear for hooks, didn't just join the New Wave movement - they were instrumental in shaping it. When their 1981 masterpiece Don't You Want Me skyrocketed to the top of the charts, it left an indelible mark on the future of pop music.
I was less familiar with Soft Cell's discography but there’s no denying that Tainted Love is one of the most enduring songs from the 80s. Before Soft Cell covered it, the song was a fast-paced soul track by Gloria Jones, a cult classic floor filler but by no means a mainstream hit. The synth pop treatment slowed the tempo and added some cool synths to create a global phenomenon.
With multiple BRIT Awards, millions of records sold, and a career spanning over 40 years, Alison Moyet remains an absolute force. I’d been fortunate enough to experience her rich, bluesy contralto voice live at a spellbinding show in NYC that felt more like a private performance. I was beyond excited to get another chance to see her perform live.
So with all three acts lined up in one show, I knew I was in for an incredible night at Radio City Music Hall - and I was not disappointed. One note would be that Alison should have performed second instead of kicking off the evening, better suited to the task of getting the crowd warmed up for The Human League. She commanded the stage by weaving seamlessly through decades of solo and Yazoo hits, looking effortlessly chic in an all-black ensemble.
Alison’ Moyet’s complete setlist was as follows:
Footsteps
Nobody's Diary
Changeling
It Won't Be Long
Midnight
Only You
Winter Kills
Situation
Love Resurrection
Don't Go
She was followed by Soft Cell, comprising founding vocalist Marc Almond and British producer/multi-instrumentalist Philip Larsen, who has stepped in following the passing of founding keyboardist Dave Ball in 2025. I absolutely loved their bold, mesmerizing projections - a brilliant mix of gritty, neon-lit 70s and 80s nostalgia and hypnotic, throbbing club visuals. I also love that there are two new releases titled Danceteria, one being Soft Cell's new single and the other being one of my favorite tracks (so far) from Madonna's Confessions II.
Soft Cell’s complete setlist:
Memorabilia (snippets of Madonna's Holiday and Into the Groove)
Danceteria
A Man Could Get Lost
Torch
Loving You, Hating Me
Nostalgia Machine
Bedsitter
Out Come the Freaks
Soul Inside
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Tainted Love / Where Did Our Love Go
Then it was time for The Human League to take to the stage (side note: I was obsessed with Philip Oakley’s flared pants - there were also several outfit changes throughout the show!). Rather than relying on pure nostalgia, the show felt like an ongoing evolution of the synth-pop movement. The energy of the live synthesizers and electronic beats kept the audience dancing throughout the evening. Philip’s distinguished baritone contrasted beautifully with Susan and Joanne’s harmonies and they seemed genuinely thrilled to be back on stage in NYC, especially considering their last performance here was all the way back in 1998!
The Human League’s complete setlist:
The Sound of the Crowd
Mirror Man
The Things That Dreams Are Made Of
Louise
Seconds
The Lebanon
One Man in My Heart
Human
Love Action (I Believe in Love)
Tell Me When
(Keep Feeling) Fascination
Don't You Want Me
Encore
Being Boiled
Together in Electric Dreams (Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder cover)
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