On Friday, June 12, the legendary cult band Cabaret Voltaire will perform at AB.
To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their band—and also to honor late member Richard H. Kirk—Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson are reuniting for a series of Cabaret Voltaire concerts. The influence of this legendary cult band on electronic, experimental, techno, industrial, and post-punk music cannot be overstated. Together with Throbbing Gristle, Kraftwerk, Joy Division, and New Order, “the Cabs” helped shape the history of contemporary (electronic/experimental) music since the late 1970s.
Our programmer Mich is a huge fan and even traveled to London on November 23 specifically to attend a Cabaret Voltaire concert.
Here is his live report:
'A few months ago, I was among the lucky ones who managed to secure tickets for Cabaret Voltaire’s concert at the ICA in London. All tickets for the four UK shows sold out within minutes, further confirming just how relevant these pioneers of electronic, industrial, and experimental music remain today.
Our excitement grew even more when it was announced a few weeks later that the band would also play several European dates. We managed to bring them to AB on June 12, 2026, an event we are, of course, greatly looking forward to.
In London, besides the two remaining members Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson, Eric Random and a drummer were also on stage. In the audience, we noticed a remarkable number of young people, but also some familiar faces, such as Michael Rother (NEU!) and Robin Rimbaud (Scanner). The atmosphere was electric; you could feel an almost tangible tension in the hall. As soon as the intro of Voice Of America / Damage Is Done blasted through the speakers, we knew we were in for an unforgettable evening.
With tracks like Yashar, 24/24, Why Kill Time (When You Can Kill Yourself), Crackdown, Just Fascination, and Landslide, the band delivered a set that spanned their entire career. They were in excellent form, playing tight, with an amazing sound, and the audience was completely immersed.
They closed with a blazing version of Nag Nag Nag and an ecstatic performance of Sensoria. It was a concert that will resonate for a long time and only makes us even more eager for their appearance in June 2026.'
There are still tickets available for the AB concert on June 12!
