Soft Cell Celebrate 40 Years Of Debut LP For First and Last Time

Marc Almond of Soft Cell performing at the YouTube Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez

“TAINTED LOVE” LEGENDS PLAYED SECOND ANNIVERSARY SHOW WITHOUT DAVE BALL

80s UK synth-pop darlings Soft Cell took me a bit to grasp musically growing up. Driving to school with my mom’s radio station of choice, Jack FM, “Tainted Love” would play daily. It was also featured in the cult classic Coneheads which I had seen a few times, but it was somewhat tiresome. It wasn’t until years later while watching the first season of Master of None did I revisit the band’s discography. An end credits sequence featured lesser known hit “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” which in my opinion is their best track so it made me realize how much of a mark Soft Cell really had during the 80s. With all this in mind, I was pretty excited to see them celebrate their debut album.

It was my second time at the YouTube Theater and this time, everything went smoothly and quickly. I arrived and received my photo pass with other photographers luckily paving the path. I met some new recorders as well as caught up with my buddy Bradley while waiting in the photo pit. The show was to start promptly at 8PM but 15 minutes went by until the lights went out, most likely to allow those still mingling to find their seats. The audience was an older crowd with some young folks sprinkled in wearing “Sex Cells” shirts.

A saxophonist, synth player, and backup singers came onto the stage playing the intro to “Torch” before frontman Marc Almond arrived to much applause. The lights flashed purple and red with Almond holding his mic stand with force. Once the night was established, the band went into newer album cuts “Bruises on All My Illusions” and “Happy Happy Happy” which were very good. Easily fit into the older discography and apparently according to Almond, the latest LP is the best reviewed Soft Cell record of their catalogue. Sadly, due to health issues, other founding member Dave Ball was replaced by the band’s longtime producer for the first couple of shows on tour, but Almond was hopeful that he would return to his synths before the final show.

Marc Almond of Soft Cell performing at the YouTube Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez

Another interesting quality to the show was the idea of an intermission. I had never attended a show where this had happened, to play a set then take a 30 minute break before continuing. However, the show was split into two acts, which was a bit off-putting at first, but worked in the end. The first act consisted of newer songs mixed with fan favorite cuts from Soft Cell’s debut record, and the second act featured the album in mostly its entirety. Once the intermission was over, the band did not let up one bit. Song after song, hit after hit, with the dedicated fans standing up from their seats and dancing along to “Frustration” and “Seedy Films” with lots of imagery being displayed such as adult film neon signs and vintage call-girl ads. Of course when “Tainted Love” came on, everyone went insane and this time, it sounded perfect and I appreciated it more. Usually it is followed up on the radio with second song “Where Did Our Love Go?” but that was saved for the encore.

I got to witness the band play “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” which had been stuck in my head on the way to the show. It was an amazing experience, with Almond motioning goodbyes to the audience and them reciprocating as the second act came to a finale and the encore was to come. A piece of history was made at the show since the band played most of Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret for the first and last time with only five shows in the US. The YouTube Theater has great sound, so it worked as the perfect setting for an 80s band with heavy influence on the many newer acts that pass through. Check out the set list here!

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!