Cabaret Voltaire

Following their return to Sheffield for a sold-out Sensoria Festival performance celebrating 50 years of one of Britain’s most influential electronic bands, Stephen ‘Mal’ Mallinder and Chris Watson have announced details of their Final UK Tour, starting on 10 October 2026 at Birmingham Town Hall and finishing here at The Octagon on 25 October. Gazelle Twin is confirmed as special guest across all the dates. Talking about the newly announced dates, Stephen Mallinder, says: “What a wonderful opportunity to go round the block one more time and share that with one of the most unique and spectacular artists we know. The connective tissue between ourselves, our history, and the world Gazelle Twin now conjures up, will be out there and shared with people. It seems like a special, magical moment.” Composer, producer, and performance artist Elizabeth Bernholz, aka Gazelle Twin, will be 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.” 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 event will curate this essential work, acknowledge their timeless energy and mark the continuing significance and power of what Cabaret Voltaire achieved. 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 and into the work with renowned producers such as Adrian Sherwood and Marshall Jefferson. Stephen Mallinder explains, “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 goes on to say, “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.”