ABC presale codes in St Kilda VIC

ABC came out of Sheffield's post-punk scene, then pivoted into sleek new romantic pop with strings, synths, and a velvet baritone. Today Martin Fry fronts the group with a crack touring band, a long-running shift that keeps the songs crisp without pretending the original lineup is intact.

Glossy bones, real heart

Expect a spotlight on The Look of Love, Poison Arrow, and All of My Heart, with When Smokey Sings as the late-set curveball. The room fills with sharp blazers, vintage tees, and pairs who know every middle-eight, plus younger synth-pop diggers nodding to the bass. Trivia for the train home: the band began as Vice Versa before Fry joined after interviewing them, and Anne Dudley shaped those lush arrangements on The Lexicon of Love. Take these setlist guesses and staging notes as informed hunches, not a rigid promise. That call-and-response bite on Poison Arrow lands hardest when this tour hits your city.

New Romantic Now, Worn Proud

You see metallic blazers, narrow ties, and bright pocket squares next to tour shirts from the 80s and last year. Fans trade stories about first pressings and the time they caught a horn riff from the front row.

Polished Threads, Loud Choruses

During Poison Arrow, a section near the back often shouts the 'who broke my heart?' line before Fry even cues it. Merch leans toward gold-foil logos, lyric tees, and a few tasteful reissue vinyl copies that sell out early. People dance, but it is relaxed, with couples spinning on choruses and phones down when the strings swell. Post-show chatter tilts to arrangements and outfits as much as nostalgia, which suits a band that treats style as part of the sound. It feels like a reunion of subcultures rather than a costume party, and the room hums with easy, well-earned joy.

Velvet Croon, Brass Bite

Fry's voice rides close to the mic, more conversational than belted, which lets the choruses bloom when the backing vocals stack in thirds. Live, the rhythm section keeps the tempos pocketed so the horns can punch off the beat without rushing.

Hooks First, Then Flair

A clean, chorus-tinged guitar sketches the chords while the keys handle string pads and Fairlight-style stabs. Many numbers sit a half-step lower than the original keys, a smart move that preserves tone while giving the brass extra shine. Arrangements often stretch the middle of The Look of Love for a call-and-response vamp, then snap back on the final downbeat. Lighting favors gold and midnight blue, with crisp white hits on snare accents to underline rhythmic turns. When the band drops to half-time under All of My Heart, the synths swell and the flugelhorn, if present, colors the edges without crowding Fry.

Adjacent Icons, Same Wardrobe Racks

Fans who live for neon romance and tight grooves often cross paths with Duran Duran. Their glossy bass lines and chorus hooks chase the same highs as ABC's polished singles.

The Company They Keep

Spandau Ballet sits nearby for its suave baritone leads and gold-plated slow-burners. Howard Jones brings the buoyant synth craft and friendly stage chat that ABC crowds appreciate. Simple Minds comes up for those who like widescreen anthems built from shimmering guitars and stadium keys. All four share a taste for smart tailoring, singable bridges, and shows that favor melody over spectacle. If those names make sense to you, ABC will feel like a well-kept vinyl sleeve finally spun loud.