Fans of The Human League should head to the Saenger Theatre on Wednesday, June 17, when this iconic 1980s British band brings their Generations US Tour 2026 to New Orleans with very special guests Soft Cell and Alison Moyet.
The Human League‘s music in the early ’80s was synonymous with the era’s burgeoning electronic music scene. Their ability to blend catchy pop hooks with cutting-edge sounds set them apart from their contemporaries. The band’s innovative approach influenced many artists and bands, helping shape the decade’s soundscape. (Keep Feeling) Fascination sounds as fresh today as when it came out in 1983.
Their visual style also left a lasting impact on 1980s culture. The Human League’s music videos, featuring sleek, androgynous fashion and futuristic aesthetics, became defining images of the MTV generation. The video for Don’t You Want Me, set against a noir-inspired backdrop, demonstrated the power of visual storytelling in music, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between visual media and pop music during this era.
“Since our debut in 1980, we have always enjoyed an awesome welcome in America and we’re really thrilled to be touring the U.S. coast-to-coast in 2026,” says Philip Oakey of The Human League. “Sharing the stage on this visit with two of the best and most iconic music acts of our generation, Soft Cell and Alison Moyet, both personal favorites, we can’t wait.”
The Human League
Electronic duo Soft Cell’s singer, showman & lyricist Marc Almond and electronics whizz & producer Dave Ball, had initially forged their creative bond in the art department of Leeds Polytechnic in 1977. They went on to achieve huge success in the 1980s, when they topped the UK singles chart with Tainted Love, sold over 21 million records, notched up one platinum album & two gold ones, and changed the course of pop by paving the way for a host of other synth-based acts, including Yazoo, Eurythmics, Tears for Fears, Pet Shop Boys and Erasure.
They also brought something deliciously dark and distinctive to the table, being more than happy to flirt with danger and controversy, while regularly making decisions that made little or no commercial sense. Sadly, Dave Ball passed away last year at age 66; this tour is dedicated to him.
“The opportunity to tour with the Human League is just incredible,” adds Marc Almond of Soft Cell. “They are legendary and I know they will do an unforgettable show, having not toured the U.S. for over a decade, and Alison Moyet is such a talented artist and a wonderful singer. Honestly, it will be an absolute honor to be part of the bill with these artists.”
Alison Moyet started off as a punk, became one half of iconic synth-pop duo Yaz, and released her groundbreaking #1 debut solo album, Alf – all by the age of 23. She’s released ten solo studio albums, won three BRIT Awards, been nominated for a Grammy for “Best Female Rock Vocal Performance” and recently graduated from university with a degree in Fine Art Printmaking. Don’t Go, from her Yaz era, could just as easily have come out today as 40+ years ago.
Alison Moyet
“Live work really matters to me,” explains Alison Moyet about the live performances that all three will contribute to. “I love the physical feeling that singing gives me. It’s totally primal and euphoric. I am honored to have been invited to share a stage on this tour with The Human League and Soft Cell, stunning artists that reframed our music scene and, by cutting their own shapes, made it possible for people like me to launch.”
For tickets and more information, go to https://us.atgtickets.com/events/the-human-league/saenger-theatre/ If you can’t see them in New Orleans, the Generations Tour continues on to Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Chicago, Detroit, NYC’s Radio City Music Hall, Boston, Philadelphia, and other cities.
