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What a change, as we are
getting to a band today, who is maybe still known to us elderly fans
from back in the eighties, with a high nostalgic level of course. And
for a change we do not have a Rock, Metal or Blues act here, but an
electronic popband, who evolved out of the ruins of Human League back in
1981. Heaven 17 celebrated their biggest success with their vey first
album 'Penthouse And Pavement' and their second album 'The Luxury Gap'.
On that one, the band had their biggest hit 'Come Live With Me' and of
course 'Temptation'. And be honest, Heaven 17 still live from this two
songs, or shoud I say - again. Because from 1988 until 1996 this project
was literatually put on ice..
Today Martyn Ware and Glen Gregory name it a creative break. And it took
another 9 years until a complete new studioalbum named 'Before After'
came out. Even then not much happened.... . until , yeh 'til Ware and
Gregory took part on the Nokia Night of the Proms tour throughout
Europe. Back then I did an interview with both ( which can be found here
) The recognition of 'Temptation' and 'Come Live With Me' was such high,
that they put huge expectations in this current tour. And so they
decided to start off again with a big de ja vu, playing their complete
debut album 'Penthouse And Pavement' and of course the just mentioned
big hits.
I'm here for the
first time at the Freiheiz Venue here which is well filled, but not
crowded or even sold out. I guess, there are aprox. 400 - max. 500
guests here, consisting of mainly people, who experienced already the
first era of Heaven 17 back in the early Eighties.
Yeah well, you have to get used to it, if you're normally more into
Rock'n'Roll tunes thanks to many photocalls for different print
magazines. But even me, who is more in the Rockscene, gets somehow
nostalgic. And it feels pretty good to see and hear something different
for a change. Long live an open mind in music. And like I always use to
say: there is only good and bad music in this world,no matter what
style.
There are no supportbands playing, but we
get a sort of light intro underlined with electronic tunes and a digital
counter on the screen, counting down the time 'till showtime. Okay, you
can think about it, what you want. But many people use this time to
leave the inside of the building for a quick cigarette or even two.
After about 30 minutes, the gig starts rather calm and I would almost
say - sophisticated....
A suit is a must or how
shall I say - the brand of the band. Not so much the bald head of
Mr Gregory which is rather a sign of times. But it looks okay on him.
Next to the two main guys, there is singer Billie Godfrey, who is with
the band sinc 2008. Apart from her, the touringband consists of Asa
Bennett on guitar, Joel Farland - E-Percussion and Bassist andy
Hope-Taylor
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