The Human League

Formed in Sheffield in 1977, The Human League are definitive pioneers of British synth-pop and electronic music. Originally an avant-garde experimental outfit, the band underwent a radical restructuring in 1980 when founding members Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh departed to form Heaven 17, leaving frontman Philip Oakey to recruit teenage vocalists Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley. This new lineup achieved massive global success with the landmark 1981 album Dare, featuring the international anthem "Don't You Want Me," which topped charts in both the UK and the US. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, they continued to produce hits such as "(Keep Feeling) Fascination," "Human," and "Tell Me When". As of early 2026, the core trio of Oakey, Catherall, and Sulley remains active and continues to headline major festivals. Following their extensive "Generations" world tour in 2024 and 2025, the band has a busy 2026 schedule, including headlining performances at Ludlow Castle and Dreamland Margate in July 2026, as well as a special show at Victoria Park in Warrington in May 2026.