One of the most famous synth-pop bands of all time, Heaven 17, have today been confirmed as the second headliners for legendary post-punk festival Futurama as it returns for the first time in 37 years.
The event, which was held in Leeds from 1979-84, hosted sets by the likes of Joy Division, The Smiths, Killing Joke, Public Image Limited, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Soft Cell and Gang of Four.
The revived festival, which will take place in Liverpool on April 3-4, 2021, has already announced its Sunday headliner, Peter Hook & The Light, performing in full the Joy Division set played at the first Futurama in 1979.
Today it was announced that the Saturday night headliners will be Sheffield electro icons Heaven 17, playing a special set, The Futurama Years 1979-1983.
Undoubtedly one of the most famous electro and synth bands of all time, Heaven 17 had hit after hit in the ’80s, releasing the classic albums Penthouse and Pavement and The Luxury Gap.
Taking their name from the disco in Clockwork Orange, they had immediate success with hits such as (We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang, Let Me Go, Temptation and Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry.
The current line-up features two of the original three members, Martyn Ware (keyboards) and Glenn Gregory (vocals). Their gigs are as popular as ever and they consistently sell out shows in the UK and abroad.
For their unique performance at the Futurama, Ware and Gregory will perform a Heaven 17 set and also revisit some classic early Human League songs. By re-imagining them and keeping the original spirit, they hope to recreate the futuristic ambience and immersive atmosphere of the early days.
Martyn says he “loved the wider theme of dystopian science fiction that the Futurama touched upon,” and he always envisaged Human League, who he quit to form Heaven 17, growing up in a “science fiction noisescape”.
Human League were scheduled to play the original Futurama in Leeds back in 1979, but for one reason or another, it sadly never happened.
Gregory said: “It’s fantastic that we have the chance to be a part of the future of Futurama. Brothers, sisters, don’t just sit there on your ass! Join us as we fix this historic error and go back to the Futurama with Heaven 17.”
Other names confirmed for Futurama 2021 include legendary Factory band Section 25, and the Expelaires, who played the first Futurama in Leeds in 1979.
The first acts have also been confirmed for the All Is Love/Goth Kitchen stages, including up-and-coming London punks Chubby And The Gang, who have just signed to Partisan Records (Idles, Fontaines DC, Laura Marling), and TV Priest, who have just signed to legendary American label Sub Pop.
Planet X, Liverpool’s infamous goth and punk club, has Balaam & The Angel headlining its stage, with Dr Diablo & the Rodent Show, Peter Bentham & The Dinner Ladies, Feather Trade, the Gentle Scars, Three From Above and The Webb supporting.
Also confirmed are Girls in Synthesis, Ist Ist, Dream Nails, Liines, Gravves, Klamp, Coughin Vicars and Deh-Yey.
Promoter Marc Jones said: “Fingers crossed, the timing could be perfect. Futurama could one of the first festivals post-Covid restrictions, and it would be a real boost to the Liverpool music scene and the independent venues involved – and perhaps a real starting point for and hopefully a much better year in 2021.”
There will be a last wave of bands to be announced in January, when day splits and full stage line-ups will be announced.
Other acts confirmed to appear include Theatre Of Hate, Warmduscher, The Chameleons, The Blinders, The Lovely Eggs, Spizz Energi, Membranes, Evil Blizzard, Bob Vylan, and Billy NoMates.
Tickets and more information is available at www.futuramafestival.com
