NEXT year marks the 30th anniversary of UK synthpop’s zenith. Serious young men from the North of England released albums like OMD’s Architecture & Morality, the Human League’s Dare and Soft Cells Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret and lucky for Liverpool all three, in various guises, visit the city in November.

Friday night was the turn of Marc Almond, the Southport-born face of Soft Cell and one of the finest voices to emerge from the New Romantic scene.

Running on to the stage following a video showing highlights from throughout his career was a brave move for a man in his 50s but as he launched into a hi-energy version of the group’s debut single Memorabilia, it was obvious Almond had lost none of his dramatic flair for a tune.

Almond’s solo career has seen him develop his persona as a tortured torch singer and it was when he began to tackle these more elaborate songs that it became clear he was struggling with his voice.

Repeatedly calling for mugs of tea, he looked embarrassed as he asked the patient fans to help him reach the high notes he was failing to reach.

Matters weren’t helped by the rather weedy backing he received from his four-piece group.