Getting over a heavy cold, I felt like I was being boiled as me and Mrs PiL made our way into town last night for a Chinese meal in Soho before heading daan to the Hammersmith Apollo to see The Human League. The purpose of the gig was to celebrate the anniversary of the “Dare” album. I am not a huge League fan but Mrs PiL bought the tickets for me burfday and I was looking forward to going back to the Apollo to see a band. The last time I went into the venue was when it was called the Hammersmith Odeon and that was to see The Meninblack. So, it was a nice birthday present. I would have preferred a full body massage with Sharon Davies or Nigella Lawson but you can’t have everything in life can you.
Anyway, we made it into Soho in the pouring rain and settled down for a meal and some wine in “Bar Shu” which is a great up and coming Chinese restaurant on Frith Street. Worth trying if anyone is up for the Hugh Cornwell gig next year at Ronnie Scotts which is literally around the corner. The meal was great, not too heavy and afterwards we grabbed a couple of coffees round the corner in the ever brilliant, “Bar Italia”. What a super little place. On the way there, we noticed a prostitute’s “Model” sign in a second floor window, all lit up in neon. I rang Alias to say that we were taking a picture of it and might be able to Kraftwerk it up a bit by adding the word “The”. Mrs. PiL is on the case. Good to speak to you Alias.
We eventually made it down to the Apollo and I have to say, it felt a little emotional going through those big front doors and into the amazing foyer. All The Stranglers memories came flooding back and it is great that the venue has barely changed. We had Circle seats and made our way up to the huge bar area on the first floor. It has a real art deco feel about it and the bar staff were excellent. I thought the staff at The Roundhouse were good but these guys and girls really had their act together.
The Human League have an interesting fan base. A bit like us, the majority are starting to lose their hair and the bellies are getting a tad large. The blokes on the other hand, seem to prefer black as the dress code. Saw a few League t-shirts being worn but certainly black is the preferred colour.
We caught the last two numbers by the support band, “Cassette Elektric” and then settled into our seats to await the arrival of The League.
The show was much better than I thought it was going to be. The keyboards sounded fantastic and at times, very Kraftwerky. They had some awesome sounds and songs like “Sound of the Crowd” and “The Things that Dreams are Made of” were first rate. Phil Oakey was on good form and his voice in the mix was perfect, rising at just the right volume above the keyboards and electronic drums. The stage set up also complimented the show as it was bathed in a black floor and backdrop with three white sheets to mark out each of the three singers at the front and the musicians on a white sheeted platform at the back. Sort of reminded me about the Aural Sculpture stage set up from years gone back.
Highlight of the show for me was the first song of the encore, “Being Boiled”. A fabulous track which Phil sung with menace. Very, very robotic and quite menacing in its delivery and sound. The show ended with the awful “Together in Electric Dreams” but other than that, The League impressed me greatly and I was pleased we went to see them. The house was packed and a good time was had by all.
Afterwards, we went next door to this pokey looking little Tex/Mex joint to wolf down a half bottle of white wine and some garlic bread before making our way home. It didn’t look great from the outside but was nice and cosy inside and the staff very friendly. “Juan’s El Paso Mexicana”, 24 Fulham Palace Road. Tel “ 020 8741 9913. Right next door to the Apollo.
Well done Mr. Phil Oakey and well done to his co-singers, Joanne and Susan. It was a good show.
PS. Anorak Moment….
The Human League gig was obviously advertised on the Hammersmith Apollo’s web site. A good few words had also been added to give a little flavour to the band’s history. You will of course share my smile when I read of The League’s collaboration with Martin Rushent "who had worked with The Stranglers".
Quite loudly actually. 
