by Brooke Varney
The 80’s were an era remembered for questionable fashion, the walkman, and catchy, memorable music. Such music that most likely stands out in the minds of many is Spandau Ballet’s, famous for their revolutionary, visually-dominated, electronica pop. Soul Boys of the Western World takes the viewer into the world of the iconic band, which includes their own home movies as the film chronicles the band’s ups and downs throughout their reign as one of the most influential bands of the 80’s. It’s such a fun film to watch, it will have you smiling all the way through, even if you weren’t even born when they were on Top of the Pops
Spandau Ballet’s clothing and overall appearance were a large part of who they were as a band, choosing to wear tuxedos with frilly shirts and jewelry when performing. Described in papers as “so hip it hurt,” members Tony Hadley, Gary Kemp, Steve Norman, John Keeble, and Martin Kemp developed a cult following by going against the grain of what was expected of musicians at the time.
Hits including “True”, “Gold”, and “Through the Barricades” were loved and listened to worldwide throughout their ten year career span, and even today, as all are karaoke staples around the world. The film not only touches upon the ups and downs of the band, but also the social and cultural elements that defined the 1980’s. The 30th September European premiere will be broadcast in theaters throughout the UK and Ireland, and include a Q&A session hosted by Lauren Laverne, featuring Spandau Ballet and director George Hencken. Afterwards, the band will reunite on stage for the first time since 2010 for a special performance.
Have a look at the trailer below:
Soul Boys of the Western World.