Today, 13 May 2025, is the fiftieth anniversary of the first performance by Cabaret Voltaire, at Sheffield Students Union Refectory. This will be commemorated in October by a live collaboration by founding members Chris Watson and Stephen Mallinder. We’re told that “The intention for the performance in Sheffield is to 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.”
Stephen Mallinder added that “The live set is built from scratch but faithful to the original tracks. Everything has been painstakingly reconstructed with the original technology and processes to build the tracks. But as with all Cabs live shows there is an element of unpredictable, the new. Chance meets causality.” Chris Watson says “I’m delighted and totally thrilled to make a contribution to the band’s 50th anniversary. To share a stage once more with Mal and to honour Cabaret Voltaire’s legacy will be a unique privilege, whilst remembering that in the current times – as back then – the Dadaist interventions of Cabaret Voltaire remain essential.”
The event, part of Sheffield’s ongoing Sensoria festival, takes place at the FORGE Warehouse. Tickets will be available from noon on 14 May from See Tickets and RA
