CABARET VOLTAIRE FINAL NORTH AMERICAN TOUR CONTINUES IN SEPTEMBER
LIVE ALBUM BUT WHAT TIME IS IT REALLY? AVAILABLE FROM CABS STORE AND ON THE FORTHCOMING TOUR
After a triumphant West Coast tour in May, the legendary Cabaret Voltaire return for the second leg of their final North American shows this September, including an appearance at Levitation. Their first shows here in over 30 years, support across the dates will come from I Speak Machine, and ISM’s Tara Busch will also stand in for Chris Watson. The full live band is as follows; Stephen Mallinder – vocals, bass, keyboards, samples, Benge – keyboards, electronic drums, Eric Random – keyboards, guitar, and Tara Busch – keyboards, samples.
Tara says, “Cabaret Voltaire have always been a huge influence on ISM – the grit, the raw electricity, not to mention their visuals and art direction – and it’s truly thrilling to be supporting them in the US. I’m also very excited to be standing in for Chris Watson on synths & samples. I relish this as someone that loves performing and getting a deeper, “nerdier” look at how sounds and songs are created and executed live by bands I love – and Cabaret Voltaire is as good as it gets!”
Stephen ‘Mal’ Mallinder and Chris Watson also released their live album, But What Time Is It Really? (recorded during last year’s jubilant sold-out UK tour), which is available via the band’s webstore and on the upcoming tour. Marking 50 years since the live launch of one of Britain’s most influential electronic bands (at the Sheffield Students Union Refectory on May 13th, 1975), Stephen and Chris were joined by Eric Random and Oliver Harrap for an eagerly anticipated and long-awaited tour.
BUT WHAT TIME IS IT REALLY? ALBUM REVIEW
But What Time Is It Really? perfectly captures the mood of the UK dates. Fans travelled across the world to see the band present new arrangements of classic Cabs tracks such as ‘Sensoria’, ‘Crackdown’, ‘Do Right’ and ‘Spies in the Wires’ alongside ‘Tinsley Viaduct’, a contemporary piece of musique concrète composed by Chris Watson. The album was engineered and mixed by Benge, recorded by Joe Peat, mastered by James Trevasus with artwork by Dan Conway and Paul Burgess, based on Conway’s live visuals on the tour.
Says Chris Watson, “This record captures the powerful essence of contemporary live performance and establishes a visceral connection to the history of the band.”
Stephen Mallinder goes on to say, ‘It was an opportunity to capture the shows as a unique moment in time but also give people the opportunity to have a memento. Something that presented sounds and music, with respect to Richard’s memory, that also transcended time.”
In the current climate of social turmoil and political manipulation, the prescient work of Cabaret Voltaire continues to be necessary. The sounds, words, images and films of the band still resonate loudly, continuing to challenge the status quo.
The events in 2026 curate this essential work and to acknowledge the timeless energy and to mark the continuing significance and power of what Cabaret Voltaire achieved. Original members Chris Watson and Stephen Mallinder are committed to stay 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 and into the work with renowned producers such as Adrian Sherwood and Marshall Jefferson.
But What Time Is It Really? Is out now via the Cabaret Voltaire store, as well as across the band’s final tour dates.
Tour Dates
September 11 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater^
September 12 – Austin, TX – Levitation
September 15 – Chicago, IL – Metro^
September 16 – Chicago, IL – Metro^
September 18 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre^
September 19 – Montreal, QC – Sat^
September 21 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur^
September 25 – New York, NY – Knockdown Center^
September 26 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts^
October 7 – Dublin, The Academy
October 8 – Belfast, Limelight
October 10 – Birmingham, Town Hall*
October 11 – Liverpool, Arts Club*
October 13 – Nottingham, Rock City>
October 14 – Cardiff, The Globe>
October 15 – Bath, Forum*
October 17 – Newcastle, Boiler Shop*
October 18 – Glasgow, Barrowland*
October 19 – Manchester, Albert Hall*
October 21 – Bexhill, De La Warr Pavilion*
October 22 – London, Roundhouse*
October 25 – Sheffield, Octagon*
^ w/ I SPEAK MACHINE
*w/ GAZELLE TWIN
> w/ FADER
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Photo Credit: Leon Chew
