Cabaret Voltaire: Manchester for the last time.

Original members Chris Watson and Stephen Mallinder are committed to staying true to the enduring vision of Cabaret Voltaire. The performance will cover the arc of their formidable output – from early experiments and the first Rough Trade/Factory releases, through the band’s Doublevision video label, to work with renowned producers such as Adrian Sherwood and Marshall Jefferson.

With close connections to Manchester, having been part of the Factory Records roster and performed/worked alongside their label mates Joy Division and later New Order, with whom they’ve collaborated, this show is a true marker of their history as a band and an unmissable feat for any local fan.

2025 marked their 50th anniversary as a band, marking the continuing significance and power of what Cabaret Voltaire has achieved. Stephen Mallinder explains:

“The live set is built from scratch but faithful to the original tracks. Everything has been painstakingly reconstructed using the original technology and processes for building the tracks. But as with all Cabs live shows, there is an element of unpredictability, the new. Chance meets causality.”

Composer, producer, and performance artist Elizabeth Bernholz, aka Gazelle Twin, will be a special guest across the tour: “Pinch me. Go on. I’m feeling excessively lucky at the prospect of touring with Cabaret Voltaire in 2026. They are electronic music pioneers, but also the loveliest, kindest folk in music that I could ever hope to share the stage with.”