Human League kick off Dubai Sound City

We have an exclusive reactionary blog from organisers

United Kingdom | 06 November 2009

The Human League brought day one of Dubai Sound City to a close with a show of 80s finesse.

With three costume changes for singers Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall the group pulled out all their greatest hits for a healthy crowd including ‘Fascination’ and ‘Mirror Man’.

‘Don’t You Want Me Baby’ received the biggest cheer though, as frontman Phil Oakley strutted across the stage in a shirt and tie engaging with the fans. But the band left the best until last with a glimmering version of ‘Electric Dreams’

Manchester band Doves were on sterling form in the penultimate slot of the day playing the likes of ‘Kingdom Of Rust’ and a bouncy ‘Black And White Town’.

They finished their set by turning ‘There Goes The Fear’ into a samba number with the entire group playing drums in unison.

The Futureheads got the crowd to help out on ‘Hounds Of Love’ by splitting them in half and giving them separate backing vocals to sing during a set that included ‘Decent Days And Nights’ and ‘Walking Backwards’.

Earlier in the evening, The Farm dedicated a track to Flowered Up frontman Liam Marr, who passed away a few weeks ago.

“This is the first you’ll see The Farm onstage without alcohol, that’s a first,” admitted singer Peter Hooton. The group, backed up two female singers, ran through hits like ‘Stepping Stone’, ‘Groovy Train’ and their biggest hit ‘All Together Now’ with they segued into Sly And The Family Stone’s ‘We Are Family’.

Foreign Beggars proved popular in nightclub Alpha bringing together a set of hip hop, dubstep and drum and bass. They also incited the first mosh pit of the event in the small sweaty bar.

Dubai Sound City 2010 continues today (Friday) with the Happy Mondays, Ocean Colour Scene and more.

We also have an exclusive blog from organiser David J Pichilingi. Click here to read the blog now.