It was a return to the 80s for the music lovers of Dundee on Saturday, with a host of artists from yesteryear descending on the City of Discovery ready to entertain the locals and take them back in time for the day.
Opening act on this glorious day in the heart of the city was Carol Decker of T’Pau fame. Known mainly for her huge hit China In Your Hand, she also covered a few lesser-known tracks from the band such as Heart and Soul and Valentine, and threw in a cover of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing for good measure. Singing along to a backing track, Carol had no band with her so had the stage all to herself, and still possesses the power in her voice she was known for. A great start to the day, getting the crowd moving early on. Top marks!
Relieving Carol of her duties, Clare Grogan and Altered Images were next up. Early 80s pop sensation Clare shot to prominence as Susan in the classic movie Gregorys Girl, but she had also begun to carve out a career in the music industry after the film was made. The bands bigger hits were dusted off for the day, including Don’t Talk To Me About Love, Bring Me Closer and the epic Happy Birthday. Looking very chic dressed in a sparkly pink dress, Clare’s smile throughout her set was infectious, and set the tone for the rest of the day. Great music from the band.
Next to the stage Toyah Wilcox, who also first came to the attention of the public as an actress, with roles in movies such as Jubilee and Quadrophenia, however she stormed into the music charts in 1981 with the massive hits I Want To Be Free and It’s a Mystery. Her set, following on from Altered Images, showcased these hits and many others including Rebel Run, Thunder in the Mountains and a cover of Rebel Yell, the Billy Idol classic, who she had toured with recently. She is still in great voice, and covered the stage well and with enormous energy, ably assisted by Mike Goodman on guitar.
It was soon time for From Big Country, led by the original drummer of Big Country, Mark Brzezicki. Formed in February 2025, the line-up includes former frontman Simon Hough, former bassist Gil Allan and Steeleye Span guitarist Ken Nicol. The old classics were given a run through, such as Harvest Home, Chance, Ships and In A Big Country. They were well received by the near capacity crowd in Dundee, as they made way for Liverpool’s The Christians.
Rocketing to fame in 1987 on the release of their self-titled debut album, The Christians were no strangers to the UK top 40 with no less than 8 consecutive single hits. Tracks such as Hooverville, When the Finger Points and Ideal World turned back the clock, with lead vocalist Garry Christian’s distinctive soulful voice still evident. A fine set from the band, and great to hear the old hits played live once again.
On to the penultimate act of the day with Sheffield’s Martin Fry and ABC providing main support to the headliners. Entering the stage, Fry had ditched the trademark gold lamé jacket in favour of a bright pink suit tonight, but looked no less the dapper front man. When Smokey Sings opened the bands set before the bigger tracks from the debut album The Lexicon of Love followed on. Poison Arrow, Show Me, Tears Are Not Enough and All of My Heart still sound as great today as they did all those years ago, and the smash The Look of Love had the crowd joining in on a mass karaoke. True 80s classic pop tunes had the huge audience on their toes throughout, and left them eagerly awaiting the top of the bill.
The Human League were formed in Sheffield in the late 70s and in their early days had modest success in the UK charts. It was only after Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh left to form Heaven 17 that Phil Oakey rebuilt the band with members Jo Callis, Adrian Wright, Ian Burden and recruited Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley as backing vocalists to make The Human League the band we all know. Callis, Burden and Wright have since left leaving only Oakey, Sulley and Catherall as the main three, still performing to this day.
Their set at Dundee opened with The Sound of the Crowd, with all members of the band entering at various times, gradually building the song in layers. Singers Sulley and Catherall both looking resplendent, dressed in shocking pink dresses, and vocally providing the perfect foil for lead man Oakey, who arrived on stage in a dark, futuristic military-esque outfit, it was a great opening number, taken from their smash album Dare, released in 1981.
All the major hits were here including Mirror Man, Open Your Heart, Love Action and (Keep Feeling) Fascination. The band’s only number one, Don’t You Want Me closed their main set, before a well-earned breather. They would return for two further numbers, debut single Being Boiled and rounding things off with the hit from the movie Never Ending Story, Together in Electric Dreams. A fitting finale for a fabulous day.
The 80s Calling festival in Dundee was a roaring success. Slessor Gardens is a great venue albeit on a smaller scale than some other recent 80s revival weekends, but being more intimate allows the crowd to interact more with the acts performing on stage. Being close to a sell-out, this only confirms that fans of 80s music, young and old, will always come out and support these events. A great atmosphere throughout the day, glorious weather, some fantastic bands reliving a golden era of British music, what more could you ask for? It even stayed dry!!
Review and Photographs by Stephen Wilson Photography
