The Human League: Live at the Dome (2005)

Not Feeling Fascination

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy The Human League: Live at the Dome on DVD.

These new DVDs from Music Video Distributors document two 1980s dance bands gathering two decades later for new concerts, and the discs do a good job demonstrating why certain concerts work and others don't. The Human League, best known for their hits "Don't You Want Me" and "Fascination," can't quite ignite a spark during their staid performance. Part of the trouble is that they save their hits for the second half of the show, when the energy has begun to flag. On the other hand, The English Beat scatter their best known songs ("Hands Off She's Mine," "Tears of a Clown," "Twist and Crawl," "Mirror in the Bathroom," "Save It for Later," etc.) throughout, and keep the energy pumping over a longer stretch of time. It helps that the latter band has more in the way of old-fashioned musicianship; people actually play instruments on stage, while most of the Human League do nothing more than sing or dance in place. Oddly, I was more of a Human League fan during the 1980s, but I'm thinking of switching camps. Both new DVDs feature crisp, deep sound, a clean picture and various extras (interviews, galleries, biographies, etc.).

Starring: Philip Oakey, Susan Anne Sulley, Joanne Catherall, David Beevers, Neil Sutton, Nic Burke, Errol Rollins
Directed by: Dave Meehan
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Running Time: 87 minutes
Date: September 23, 2005