Johannesburg is about to experience a major moment in music nostalgia this May, as The Human League return to South Africa for a rare and highly anticipated live performance on Saturday, 9 May 2026 at Marks Park in Emmarentia. The legendary British synth-pop pioneers will headline the brand-new Now Now Festival, proudly presented in association with HOT 102.7FM and BreakOut Events.

Supporting The Human League on the Johannesburg stage is fellow UK act Blancmange, bringing their distinctive new-wave energy and cult-classic hits to a lineup designed to transport fans straight back to the golden era of electronic pop.

Few groups have shaped modern pop culture as profoundly as The Human League. Formed in Sheffield in the late 1970s, the band became trailblazers of the global synth-pop movement, blending futuristic electronic sounds with sharp songwriting and a bold visual identity that came to define the early MTV era.

Their groundbreaking 1981 album Dare remains a landmark of the decade, producing timeless hits such as “Don’t You Want Me,” “Love Action (I Believe in Love),” “Open Your Heart,” and later favourites including “Human,” “Fascination,” “Mirror Man,” and “Tell Me When.”

“Don’t You Want Me” reached No.1 in both the UK and US and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. Their live performances continue to be stylish, powerful, and packed with fan favourites — ensuring Joburg audiences a euphoric, sing-along celebration of classic hits.

Blancmange, who formed in 1979, add a second wave of nostalgia to the festival. Known for their inventive early sound — built from analogue experimentation, tape loops, and even kitchen utensils — the duo went on to deliver defining hits including “Living on the Ceiling,” “Blind Vision,” “Don’t Tell Me,” “Feel Me,” and “Waves.”

After a 25-year hiatus, they returned in 2011 with a resurgence of creativity, releasing more than a dozen albums and launching innovative side projects that reinforce their influential status in the electronic music world.

CONCERT DETAILS:

The Now Now Festival takes place on Saturday, 9 May 2026, at Marks Park in Emmarentia, with gates opening at 12:30 and performances running until 20:30. A second show follows in Cape Town on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the Grand Arena, GrandWest.

Tickets for both cities are available now at Webtickets — and with HOT 102.7FM proudly bringing Joburg the soundtrack of its youth, fans are encouraged to secure their seats early.