Track #1 (of 5): Human League, Soft Cell, and Alison Moyet @Fontainebleau
Philip Oakey of the Human League begs the audience: “Don’t you want me, baby”? (Image: Vegas 411)
For me, 2026 has been a joyous ‘80s resurrection having seen the B-52’s at the Venetian, Missing Persons at the STRAT and, most recently the Human League, Soft Cell, and Alison Moyet (Yaz) at the Fontainebleau. Dubbed the “Generations Tour,” the British-centric synth pop bill is an early contender for “tour of the year.”
Each act was strong-voiced and sharply dressed, recalling a thrilling time in pop music when forward-fashion (and modern art) were important elements of the New Wave movement. In the end of course, it all comes down to the quality of the songs, and all three artists tonight brought along tunes that were original, assertive, and moody, not to mention supremely catchy and rhythmically percolating. I’m thinking that ‘80s synth pop sounds like ‘70s glam rock, ’60s and ‘70s soul, and disco all got together and had the coolest and smartest baby ever.
Tour headliners the Human League—with original members Philip Oakey, Susan Ann Sulley, and Joanne Catherall—delivered every sleek hit that the packed crowd wanted to hear including “Don’t You Want Me,” “Love Action,” and “Human” as well as lesser-known but absolutely vital songs like the chilling “Seconds” about the John F. Kennedy assassination and “The Lebanon,” which railed against the horrors of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990).Oakey is a commanding frontman, with Bowie-style vocal flair and an outstanding fashion sense. (As someone who believes that style matters, I cheered on his ever-changing wardrobe choices throughout the set.) Ultimately the tour underlines how important the sometimes underrated Human League is to rock history (listen up).
Head-to-toe black works well for many including Soft Cell’s Marc Almond. (Image: Vegas 411)
Soft Cell frontman Marc Almond was also convincing, his deep voice illuminating the romantic torture of the smash “Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go?” medley and the “I collect, I reject” cynicism of “Memorabilia,” which was briefly mashed up with Madonna’s “Holiday.” The show was a tribute to Almond’s original collaborator, synthesizer wizard Dave Ball who passed away last year. His presence was movingly felt via the tight synth work of Phil Larsen (Ball’s co-producer) who’s been part of the Soft Cell family for a while. Oddly, Almond left out the group’s sexual underworld classic “Sex Dwarf,” with its memorable line, “Luring disco dollies to a life of vice.”
Alison Moyet led a spirited “Love Resurrection.” (Image: Vegas 411)
Alison Moyet possesses one of the most wondrous voices in pop music. It’s husky and rich, providing a brilliant, soulful counterpoint to the electronic soundscapes. She captivated the audience with her instrument on hits by the criminally short-lived Yaz like "Only You,” “Don’t Go,” and “Situation.” Thanks to the sheer power of her voice, she made the latter song’s head-scratching, romantically angry lyrics—“Now he's in control, he's my lover/Nations stand against him, he's your brother”—make some kind of sense. Moyet dazzled as well on her post-Yaz solo song “Love Resurrection” but puzzlingly omitted the romantically aching treasure “Invisible.”
