The Human League’s Joanne Catherall, Susan Ann Sulley and Phil Oakey
SHEFFIELD’S new wave synth-pop pioneers The Human League will headline Futuresound’s Live At York Museum Gardens bill on July 3 next summer.
Joining the South Yorkshire electronic combo will be three very special guests, all hailing from the vibrant 1980s’ music scene: Go West, Blancmange and new wave punk singer Toyah [Willcox].
This is the second headline act to be announced by Leeds promoters Futuresound Group after pop-soul singer Olly Murs was confirmed for July 9 as part of the event’s expansion to two weekends for the first time in its fourth summer season.
The York exclusive presale for YO1, YO10, YO19, YO23, YO24, YO26, YO30, YO31 and YO32 postcodes will go on sale at 10am tomorrow (7/10/2026) with tickets available at https://futuresound.seetickets.com/event/the-human-league/york-museum-gardens/3732643?pre=postcode. General sales will open at 10am on Friday (9/10/2026) at https://futuresound.seetickets.com/event/the-human-league/york-museum-gardens/3732643.
The Human League’s Phil Oakey leading the Sheffield band at Scarborough Open Air Theatre in June 2025. Picture: Cuffe and Taylor
Synonymous with English electronic music since forming in 1977, The Human League gained international acclaim in 1981 with third album Dare! and its quartet of singles, The Sound Of The Crowd, Love Action (I Believe In You), Open Your Heart and the UK chart-topping Don’t You Want Me.
Championed by the then brand-new television tastemakers MTV, Dare! catapulted Phil Oakey, Joanne Catherall, Susan Ann Sulley and co across the Atlantic as leading players in the “Second British Invasion” of the United States.
A further six hit albums, an innovative remix album, a live album, six EPs, 29 singles and 13 career-spanning compilations later, The Human League have sold more than 20 million records worldwide.
They notched further hits with Mirror Man, (Keep Feeling) Fascination, The Lebanon, Life On Your Own, Louise, Human, Heart Like A Wheel, Tell Me When and One Man In My Heart while Oakey reached the top three with Together In Electric Dreams, his 1984 collaboration with Italian producer Giorgio, long incorporated in The Human League’s live sets.
Blancmange’s Neil Arthur at Scarborough Open Air Theatre in June 2025. Next summer Blancmange will support The Human League at Live At York Museum Gardens. Picture: Cuffe and Taylor
The Human League last played outdoors in York at the York Racecourse Music Showcase Weekend in the evening rain on July 28 2023: contrary weather to contrast with the set’s highlight, Being Boiled. In June 2025, they performed to a sold-out 8,000-capacity crowd at Scarborough Open Air Theatre.
This summer’s third Live At York Museum Gardens series featured sold-out headline performances by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Self Esteem and Super Furry Animals, topped off with a Sunday York Comedy Festival headlined by Russell Howard and Ross Noble.
Watch this space for more concert and comedy announcements for Futuresound’s newly extended collaboration with York Museum Trust in the Museum Gardens.
Did you know?
YORK Museum Gardens welcome around 1.3 million visitors a year as a space for relaxation and enjoyment.
Futuresound’s poster for The Human League, Go West, Blancmange and Toyah at Live At York Museum Gardens on July 3 2027