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UK Release date : 28.03.05 Track Listing (titles and timings sourced from DVD player display)
BONUS FEATURES: MAIN MENU MUSIC - LOVE ACTION Whilst the Virgin Records 'Very Best of…' release was a rather tentative albeit essential and highly enjoyable 'dipping of the toe' into the DVD market, 'Live At The Dome' provides a much more confident higher quality product both in image, style and audio options showcasing the current polished live performance ability of the Human League. Of course the material presented here does not require digital remastering technology to be applied prior to release so you would expect and are indeed served up with pin share clarity and quality. There is no doubt that these are currently troubling times for group. After the commercial failure of the last album, the impressive 'Secrets' and its stunning 'All I Ever Wanted' single release they now find themselves at present without a record contract and for the time being limited to merely touring. However as this DVD release clearly indicates they are indeed still a musical force to be reckoned with. Utilising the latest technology they successfully re-invigorate their extensive back catalogue demonstrating the potential of further creativity. Whichever period of their career to date is your favourite I am sure you will find it represented in the contents on offer here. Menus
Main program
We then move into the arena and as the sound
of Hard Times pours into the hall
the stage begins to illuminate with a rich blue neon light. This
is certainly an excellent scene setter which eases both the audience
and the band into the concert before we seamlessly launch into that
'Dare!' album favourite 'Love Action'. As
the opening bars of this track sound out the lighting changes to
a rather green and white mix bringing the stage and surrounding
venue to life. Without being detrimental to the group you would
hardly call them particularly fashion conscious which is no bad
thing as after all the music is far more important. However I felt
there were two occasions during the performance which were worth
noting. Firstly entering into centre stage I was certainly surprised
to see Philip wearing a heavy weight full-length silver grey overcoat
which he wore throughout this particular number. Surely it wasn't
that cold so early into the gig? During this song there is a marvellously
clear sharp definition shot of the multi level stage and the six
figures assembled there. Behind them you can see vertical strip
lighting and a large projector screen which is used throughout supporting
each song with various appropriately selected images. However I
felt that it was probably not as distracting or dynamic as featured
in the early days of the group. We next step up to a 'Secrets' album track with the upbeat sounds of 'The Snake' being performed in a slightly clearer blue illumination interspersed with occasional appropriate strobbing effects and some improvising musical segments during the song. Although it was a rather bafflingly storyboarded but beautifully shot video I certainly still like the next track. 'Heart Like A Wheel' launches with its typical bouncy solid crisp and softer clear sound in a slightly clearer blue stage illumination complete with appropriately intermittent strobbing effects. This is one of many songs in the set which features some good shots of the Errol Rollins clearly enjoying his role utilising the futuristic looking Electronic Drum and Percussion equipment to maximum effect. Of course I tend to agree that 'The Stars Are Going Out' would have been another welcome consideration from 'Romantic?' however since it had already been seen most effectively as an extra on the last DVD release it was a better decision to stick with familiar tracks which are certainly more of a crowd pleaser. Returning once more to 'Dare!' we find one of the most beautiful songs on that album. With its Cathedral like majestic atmospheric original sound successfully retained 'Darkness' finds Philip and the other figures on stage bathed in soft blue neon lighting which is certainly in keeping with the relaxed atmosphere of the piece. Again a change of pace as we return once more to 'Secrets' and the truly stunning 'All I Ever Wanted' which for me I consider it as probably their finest ever song to date, with it positively exuding an extremely focused and resolute stance. I really enjoy its uplifting, confident and moral boosting thrust which coupled with its simplistic although memorable video was like a breath of fresh air on its initial single release. 'As Philip has gone on record for saying 'when we are good we are always very linear and direct' and this song is a classic example of this. The live performance of this track certainly enforces its powerful resonance with an alternating red and white beam effect flashing across the white lit stage throughout its performance. Stepping back to the 'Dare!' era once more and the strong blue neon lighting complimented with a dash of pink appropriately suit the dance orientated 'Open Your Heart', with a solo performance rendered by Philip. Susan and Joanne rejoin Philip for the next number as the group return to the Hysteria album with 'The Lebanon'. Personally not one of my favourites from this album albeit the video was certainly a memorable one with a change of image for all members of the group at the time. We launch into this track with an alternating blue/white strobbing effect before settling down to an illuminative white tinged with a touch of blue neon effect. I certainly thought that this performance of the song was certainly much softer in tone to the rather harsh reproduction rendered on their two song live appearance on cult Channel 4 music program 'The Tube'. As a side point of interest I particularly remember it being shown in 1986 because their inclusion in this show was in part to help promote the release of 'Crash', hence the other track being performed on the show being the album opener 'Money' which came across slightly better. A much welcome relaxed change of pace for audience, viewers and probably group perspective comes next as the red dress attired Susanne takes centre stage for her solo performance. Her soft blue neon lit delicate rendition of 'One Man In My Heart' is almost acapella in nature backed by very basic musical accompaniment. Moving from 'Octopus' and travelling back to 'Crash' we next are served up the U.S. Number One smash 'Human' presented in the same soft blue neon lighting but from my perspective with more base sound than the original had. Again welcome was Joanne's solo limelight feature in the midst of the song. I can certainly see from this live rendition how difficult certain parts of the song can be difficult to successfully reach each time it is performed but I am sure it remains a tour favourite. Again images of the imaginatively realised video spring to mind during the song. 'The Things That Dreams Are Made Of' which opened the classic album 'Dare!' featured next with the stage illuminated in soft blue neon light with occasional white and pink spotlights drifting around the entire area. Added to this some late strobbing effects were also featured. I really thought that this live rendition of the track had a stronger base line than the original with syths really faded into the background. We next returned to 'Secrets' and the mighty powerful 'Love Me Madly?' track featuring strong blue and white lighting with some limited early strobbing effects utilised. This is certainly a song that Philip sings with a lot of passion and there was a slight indication that he was about to lose his voice as he forcibly conveys the lyrics. A much more colourful mix of lighting purveys the live rendition of '(Keep Feeling) Fascination' in which you gain the feeling of Philip almost having some fun in singing the lyrics to this song. He even takes the chance to convey a very brief first name introduction of the assembled group. The stage is initially bathed in a red light then switched briefly to yellow before reverting back to red. Personally I thought it sounded a little orchestral in parts but that was certainly not to the determent of an excellent live rendition of this popular mid 80's single. Returning to 'Octopus' and the slightly 'Kraftwerk' sounding 'Tell Me When' single is performed in a soft blue tinge with pulsing white spotlighting encompassing the stage. In the midst of the song we have a classic lit up shot of the audience stadium and balconies laid out infront of the group, giving the viewer the clearest indication as to how well attended this performance was. Once again, from my perspective, I thought it was softer sounding than the original, a welcome alternative to a fine original. No tour performance would be complete without the classic Number One song and up next and the group duly obliged with this compititent rendition of 'Don't You Want Me' bathed in warm yellow illumination complimented with white spotlighting. The length of this particular DVD track featured longer thanks and intros conducted by Philip. In fact he is certainly quite a chatty entertaining personality between songs which certainly further enriches the enjoyable feeling the audience and now DVD viewers will gain from this live concert performance. With Susan and Joanne vacating the stage once more for another costume change we travel back to the edgy, experimental but classic 'Reproduction' album as Philip gives a solo rendition of 'Empire State Human'. Again the lighting is appropriate to the song, this time featuring a pulsing mix of blue and white. Although an early track is most welcome I personally would have preferred to hear live versions of either 'Almost Medieval' or 'Austerity/Girl One (medley)' which are lyrically more intriguing. I haven't mentioned the backing musicians so far but all credit to the important, essential and talented performances they render throughout the entire gig. No more so than Nic Burke who comes into his own on this track with a great guitar solo performance. Nic also gives excellent guitar input to the live rendition of '(Together In) Electric Dreams' which follows bathed in strong blue lighting. Although primarily a solo hit for Philip Oakey, Susan and Joanne rejoin the stage to provide backing vocals for a song which once again conjures up images of the picture postcard like video. The final track offered up sees us revisit 'Dare!' for the first single lifted from the album, a track that for me personally will always hold a particular significance. It was, in twelve inch form, the first record I ever bought, oh what memories it still brings back! With strong blue lighting complimented with fluctuating with white spotlighting 'Sound of The Crowd' is a fitting finale to a stunning live performance from probably the finest electronic band of all time. In addition to using the latest musical equipment it is certainly true to say that Philip's voice still sounds as good as it has ever sounded, truly a major assent to this group's continued success. The entire gig program is pleasingly rounded off by right hand production credits rolling up alongside various concert extracts accompanied by the live version of 'Love Me Madly?' Extras
After thirty-five minutes of in-depth questioning from Jet Martin he thanked the three participants and then the screen, surprisingly, went dark for a few seconds. When we returned only Philip remained and what followed was about twenty minutes of one-on-one discussion with the remaining founder member of the original Human League. This was an extremely insightful and interesting portion of the featurette where Philip got to talk about his musical influences, early history both generally and musically. We briefly delved into the early days working with Ian Craig Marsh and Martin Ware (one of the funniest guys around apparently?) and featured some intriguing origins of the Human League. Philip gained the chance to express his unease at the creation of the 'Reproduction' album and his distinct pride of the 'Travelogue' album, both of which I can heartily recommend fans who are probably more familiar with their more successful work check out. Without spoiling it for any potential viewer Philip rounded off the interview with a very poignant opinion of the current music scene, making music and the future of The Human League, comments that are certainly left open to the viewers own interpretation.
So there you go, a stunning DVD release of
outstanding quality conveying a varied, insightful and entertaining
content which is absolutely faultless. Well unfortunately there
is one fairly small element to this release which rather disappoints
me, which is part of the reason why I really wanted to review this
product so thoroughly. When it was announced months before its eventual
release the initial artwork was a bright vibrant alive design combining
sparkling water effects with narrow slitted images of the group.
I loved this design so much that for a long time I had it as a tiled
wallpaper effect on my laptop computer, something I was only going
to replace when the actual product came out. You can imagine my
disappointment when I finally got my hands on the dark partially
fuzzy release. This brings to mind the taped copy I have of the
Radio 2 classic albums program presented by Rick Wakeman. In the
edition focusing on the 'Dare!' album originally transmitted on
17th February 2000 Philip Oakey said that for the group 'they had
a specific set of rules for releases'. 'Each release' he said 'had
to have the name of the group big and legible with photos of people
who made the record on the record because that's what I like to
see, the people who's doing it.' This principal stretched from 'Dare!'
right through to 'Secrets' so you can imagine my surprise when the
'Live At The Dome' DVD failed to continue this philosophy. It is
certainly puzzling, from my perspective as to why this has not continued.
One can only speculate as to whether it was the record companies
decision or the band, in light of the commercial failure of the
last release which has changed their opinion. Naturally this is
only a minor disappointment in such a truly outstanding product
which I personally was astonished at the quality of what had been
released. Whilst having no doubt that it will certainly impress
other fans out there I can wholeheartedly recommend it as an absolutely
essential purchase for a much wider public audience than merely
the core group support that The Human League have established. Text © Sarah Tarrant 2005
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Page
One of the set list loads with the track titles fired into shot
by a blurred phasing effect to sit opposite another looped extract
from the gig. Again a moving background, this time fine blue lines
occasionally spinning round against a pale blue and white background.
For the second page the background colours are changed to red conveying
the same vibrant appeal to the page. More cutting edge design is
offered in the 'Extras' page with an origami type background, spinning
layers coupled with multiple computerised words Digital Versatile
Disc further add to the futuristic feel that surrounds the entire
release. 
Watching
this through my home cinema system I engaged the 5.1 mix however
throughout the entire concert I personally didn't feel the sounds
bouncing around all five speakers although sound reproduction was
uniformly crystal clear and sharp picking up every subtle note produced
to excellent effect. I am sure that the effect would all the more
impressive merely coming through the enclosed environment of headphones.
From a viewers perspective the picture quality was stunning throughout
enhancing each subtle change in lighting between songs. Some artists
aren't particularly conversational with the crowd between songs,
however thankfully Human League are not like that. 
Next
extra is the 'Access All Areas' featurette which mainly presents
some of the highlights of the groups successful USA(four weeks)/Australia(two
weeks) tour during 2003. Again a fascinating insight into just how
hard this group work and illustrates, to a small extent, the strength
of following they still command across the globe. Its all rather
'fly-on-the-wall' type stuff as you'd find on other groups complete
with raw sounding concert footage but entertaining stuff nonetheless.
I particularly enjoyed the Australian 'rehearsal without instruments'
of the Hard Times/Love Action medley which certainly had me in hysterics
on first viewing as, apparently, it did for the participants.