SEAN ATKINS Some fans dressed as if they were still living in the early 80s but other Soft Cell fans clearly are not getting out as much as they used to.

SEAN ATKINS

They said hello and waved goodbye but Soft Cell are back with this UK tour in support of an album compiling the best 12-inch singles.

Soft Cell split up in 1984 but their music never really went away with the classic Tainted Love retaining its popularity.

Singer Marc Almond and Dave Ball on keyboards looked glad to be back and, after the excesses and tantrums of the 80s, seem determined to enjoy it more this time around.

Almond, always a big personality, appears to have grown in confidence, indulging in casual banter with the fans. He is also relaxed about revisiting the hits we all came to hear.

Tainted Love may have been the one everyone was waiting for but the seedy reality of Bedsitter and the beautifully poignant Say Hello, Wave Goodbye also drew an enthusiastic response.

The duo also slipped in some new material but it still felt very 80s and Soft Cell.

Ball's synthesised tunes combined with Almond's strong vocals to create something powerful.

It was all enjoyed by a crowd at the UEA which was less packed than it ought to be. Some fans dressed as if they were still living in the early 80s but other Soft Cell fans clearly are not getting out as much as they used to.

And as for Tainted Love it was a privilege to hear it live. Almond, thankfully, is not tired of singing it and neither were the fans. Everyone knew every word.