Holly Johnson, ABC & Heaven 17 @ TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre – Friday 14th August 2026

Words and Photos – John Hayhurst

Scarborough Open Air Theatre turned back the clock for an unapologetic celebration of 1980s synth pop, bringing together three acts responsible for some of the decade’s most distinctive and enduring songs. With Heaven 17 and ABC joining Holly Johnson, this was a carefully assembled evening of synth-pop royalty.

Heaven 17 were first to take the stage, wasting little time in establishing the night’s celebratory mood. Martyn Ware wearing a wide brimmed sparkly hat and colourful jacket remained at the keys. Glenn Gregory in cream suit remains an engaging frontman, his rich voice giving songs such as ‘Crushed by the Wheels of Industry’ and ‘Come Live With Me’ their familiar sense of drama.

The political bite of opener ‘(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang’ has hardly diminished over the years, while ‘Penthouse and Pavement’ sounded as sharp and stylish as ever. They announced a return later this year for an anniversary run through the album in venues up and down the country.

An impressive version of Bowie’s ‘Lets Dance’ got the party really started, but, inevitably, it was ‘Temptation’ that produced the biggest response of their set. Its huge chorus swept across the venue, turning the final moments of Heaven 17’s set into the first proper mass dance and singalong of the evening. It was a relatively short appearance, but one that left the audience wanting considerably more.

ABC followed, with Martin Fry arriving in a classy looking deep pink suit (No Gold Lamé Jacket?) every inch the immaculate pop showman. There has always been an elegance to ABC’s music, and songs including ‘When Smokey Sings’, ‘The Night You Murdered Love’ and ‘How to Be a Millionaire’ brought a little Sheffield sophistication to the Yorkshire coast.

‘Poison Arrow’ prompted one of the loudest reactions of the night, but nothing could quite compete with ‘The Look of Love’. More than four decades after its release, that chorus remains irresistible. Fry’s voice has weathered impressively, while his charisma ensured ABC never felt like a support act simply filling time before the headliner.

As dark clouds ominously gathered around the open-air venue, Holly Johnson arrived to the sound of instrumental ‘The World Is My Oyster’, then launching into ‘Warriors of the Wasteland’ before delivering the gloriously extravagant ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’. From the moment he appeared in mirror shades, studded leather jacket, shorts and big trainer boots, Johnson commanded the stage with the same flamboyance and confidence that once made Frankie Goes to Hollywood impossible to ignore.

The set balanced Frankie favourites with highlights from his solo career. ‘Americanos’ brought a burst of bright, playful pop, while ‘Atomic City’ and ‘Heaven’s Here’ demonstrated the strength of Johnson’s work beyond the band that first made him famous. ‘Love Train’ was another joyous reminder of just how many enormous choruses he has carried throughout his career.

There was real emotion behind ‘Penny Arcade’, inspired by a documentary about London’s rent boys, and ‘This Was Me’, written for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Both allowed Johnson to show a more reflective side beneath the flamboyance.

Yet it was the closing sequence that transformed the concert into a full-scale celebration. ‘War’ (huh) and ‘Two Tribes’ still carry a sense of urgency, their political themes feeling far from confined to the 1980s.

Then came ‘Relax’. Provocative, infectious and instantly recognisable, it sent the entire place to its feet with that throbbing earthy bassline and techno synths.  It was outrageous, playful and still capable of causing exactly the sort of commotion it did four decades ago. Plus we all got to do the hilarious sign language for “When You Wanna Come”.

The final song in his set provided a complete change of mood, Johnson’s voice bringing warmth and tenderness to one of the era’s most enduring ballads. ‘The Power of Love’, introduced by Johnson as his favourite song, and one that is “not just for Christmas”. Tender, dramatic and beautifully delivered, it brought the night to a fitting conclusion.

This was nostalgia with purpose and personality. Heaven 17 brought the grooves, ABC supplied the elegance and Holly Johnson delivered the colour, wit and defiance. Scarborough entered the Pleasuredome—and loved every minute.

This is my end to the summer season here and every year I think Scarborough Open Air Theatre can’t top last year – but they do, so roll on 2027 !!