LIVE: SOFT CELL – Perth, 10 April 2025

Shane | 15 April 2025 | Reply

LIVE: SOFT CELL – Perth, 10 April 2025
ASTOR THEATRE, Perth, Western Australia
Reviewed by Melanie Scrafton

Soft Cell, the iconic British synth-pop duo, formed in 1978 in Leeds, England by Marc Almond (vocals) and David Ball (synthesizers), both of whom were originally involved in the vibrant post-punk scene in the late 1970s, and it was their 1981 debut album, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret which broke them worldwide on the back of their UK #1 smash Tainted Love.

After an acrimonious 1984 bust-up they reunited for a brief period in 2001, then in 2018 returned for a much-anticipated tour and new music, including their first new album in 20 years, Happiness Not Included.

This show features Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret in its entirety and several of their other more notable tracks. It was a show played in two parts — a “two for one,” as Marc Almond put it.

The first hour featured Marc performing a selection of his solo material, along with his own interpretations of some of his all-time favourite songs. Backed by a tight four-piece band and two backing vocalists, the set was stripped-back — no elaborate light shows, no visual effects — just music, pure and intimate. A perfect warm-up for what was to come.

Marc paid heartfelt tribute to Gene Pitney with a solo rendition of their iconic 1989 duet, Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart. He also delivered beautifully restrained versions of several folk classics, including a moving performance of Elusive Butterfly.

After a half-hour intermission, it was time for Marc to re-emerge — this time fully embracing his ’80s pop idol persona as the frontman of Soft Cell, and what a spectacular contrast the second half was to the first. The stage lit up with dramatic lighting and a dynamic graphic backdrop, perfectly complementing a set that was both a celebration and reinvention of Soft Cell’s legacy. It was a trip of epic proportions.

With the addition of a live saxophonist, the energy was electric. Opening with Frustration, followed by the crowd-rousing Tainted Love, the capacity audience — mostly middle-aged fans reliving their youth — leapt to their feet.
We were treated to the extended 12″ version of Bedsitter, and a stunningly reimagined Say Hello, Wave Goodbye that gave the original a new, emotional depth. Then came Torch, a true nostalgia bomb that only deepened the connection between artist and audience.

But it didn’t stop there — Memorabilia was mashed up in glorious fashion with hits by Madonna, Kylie, and Gloria Estefan, a moment of pure camp brilliance that had the crowd roaring. Just when it seemed like the night had reached its peak, Marc delivered the final blow: a euphoric mix of Tainted Love and Where Did Our Love Go?, earning a well-deserved and thunderous standing ovation.

Marc Almond maintains his distinctive vocal delivery, accompanied by David Ball’s signature synth-driven sound, reinvented for our pleasure, and their joint legacy continues to be a shining example of how electronic music can break boundaries and captivate audiences with both its darkness and its danceability. This Australian tour is set to be an exciting new chapter in their ongoing journey, cementing their status as true icons of modern pop music.
Marc reiterated throughout the show that it had taken 46 years to get to Australia, with only three remaining shows available, fans can expect a captivating performance filled with nostalgia, innovation, so if you are fan – make it happen.