It’s been a brilliant summer of live music in the West Yorkshire town of Halifax, and this night was no exception.
It was show number 33 out of 38 at the stunning Piece Hall and this one was a big night for those who love a bit of a music from the 80’s – tonight it was the turn of Heaven 17, ABC and Holly Johnson.
It was a packed-out venue, adored with the weird and wonderful fancy dress, from all colours of the rainbow, to plenty of “Frankie Says Relax” t-shirts and even an appearance from Sooty and Sweep! (yes, really!)
Fans at the front barrier at Piece Hall in Halifax for Heaven 17, ABC and Holly Johnson – August 2026
Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Let’s get to the music though and the first support was Sheffield legend’s Heaven 17, who drew in a very impressive crowd for early doors.
Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware of Heaven 17 on stage together at Piece Hall in Halifax – August 2026
Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
And you know what? It’s incredibly easy to see why, what exceptional performers and some of the best stage presence I’ve ever seen, front man Glenn Gregory has this very smooth and charismatic way of working the stage, telling stories and inviting the crowd to sing-a-long.
It was a short set of five songs, but to be honest, I could have easily heard more and I think the crowd would have agreed with me – it included what Martyn Ware declared was his favourite Heaven 17 song, “Let Me Go”, a cracking cover of “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie and of course, big hitter “Temptation”.
The female supporting singers were also fantastic and absolutely should be credited – what a set of pipes!
A bloody brilliant set and I’d absolutely see them again and whether you have before or not, you should too.
CHECK OUT ALL THINGS HEAVEN 17 HERE
There was still plenty to come yet, and the next support was another Sheffield band, in the form of ABC…
ABC front man Martin Fry on stage at The Piece Hall in Halifax in August 2026 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Martin Fry came bounding onto the stage in a bright yellow suit, to cheers from the crowd and a very complimentary introduction from Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory.
You could tell the band was having a brilliant time, smiles on their faces, being daft with each other (and the camera!) whilst playing their hits, they kicked off the set with “When Smokey Sings” and initially, I did think they were rattling through songs abit, but once they settled in and Martin Fry started talking to the crowd, they just seemed more at ease.
They made great use of the stage, and the interactions with one another definitely made for good viewing, the crowd came to life during “Poison Arrow”, which cued a huge sing-a-long and some great dancing from fans.
I did enjoy the story Martin Fry told about the Sheffield pub scene back in the 80’s, when he was being chased out by the bouncers, but it was fine, as he often saw Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory in the same situation, running the opposite direction.
I also loved some of the music videos from back in ABC’s original era, playing in the background, it just gave it a nice edge whilst taking it all in.
A slightly longer set from ABC, but Fry dedicated the penultimate track of the set “All Of My Heart” to the crowd and got us all waving our arms in the air, before saying goodbye to the crowd and finishing the set on “Look of Love”, which again, brought a brilliant singalong.
A great set and very fitting with the 80’s theming of the night and a pleasure to watch.
FIND ALL THINGS ABC HERE
Before heading onto the headline act, I want to say that this was amongst one of the best crowds I’d been in, in a while, everyone was singing and dancing, whether it was with friends and family, sometimes even strangers, it was like we were all one big family that night and the dedication to the “Frankie Says Relax” t-shirts were really something to be admired…
Fans at Piece Hall with “Frankie Says Relax” t-shirts on ahead of Holly Johnson’s set in Halifax – August 2026
Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
And now for the main event, Frankie Goes To Hollywood front man, Holly Johnson…
Holly Johnson on stage at Piece Hall in Halifax – August 2026 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Holly Johnson’s band stormed onto the stage to a beautifully blended instrumental of “The World Is My Oyster” and “Relax” and wearing a sparkly leather jacket, big sunglasses and shorts, Holly Johnson strolled onto the stage taking it all, kicking the set off with a Frankie Goes To Hollywood track “Warriors Of The Wasteland”.
Holly was a natural with the crowd and a great storyteller, reminiscing on times gone by, how things had changed and generally little stories and quips of his career.
He then cracked on with another big Frankie Goes To Hollywood hit, one I wasn’t expecting so early, but I’m definitely not complaining about it, it was “Welcome To The Pleasuredome”.
I’ll touch on this properly in a minute, but it should also be noted that Holly’s sense of humour is phenomenal, so dry and quick witted, after the third song of the set “Wish (The Lads Were Here)” – myself and the other photographers went to leave the photo pit and immediately, Holly quipped “Oh here we go, third song done and that’s the press lot off, they’ve had enough!” – I’ve never been called out like that by an artist in my life, but I couldn’t be mad, it was hilarious! But trust me Holly, I’d have stayed in there and taken plenty more shots if I could have, but appreciate you including us in the banter!
Holly had some incredible songs in the setlist, a real healthy mix of his solo work, Frankie Goes To Hollywood hits and some amazing covers, including ones I never expected – he did an insane cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run” and also “War” by the Temptations, which naturally, the crowd lapped up like one big party.
Johnson also expressed how much he’d enjoyed doing some shows with Heaven 17 and ABC, also saying he’d done some amazing shows with them, but then commenting “Oh and Tony Hadley, but he weren’t bothered tonight, you can’t have everything can you!” – all very funny and gave the crowd a good laugh, it was just little glimmers of his humour shining through that brought the set together.
Holly Johnson on stage at Piece Hall in Halifax – August 2026 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Another big highlight was the track “This Was Me” which Johnson sang for the musical “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”, which Holly reminisced on life when people were a little more judgemental and how the song meant a lot to him and many people, it was a very raw and emotional number and I think a few people welled up in the audience, but it was beautifully sung.
But of course, it was the finale that really brought it all together, with the song on everyone’s t-shirts and also on everyone’s lips “Relax” – the biggest party of the night and it was incredible and on a slightly more melancholic note to finish off the set and the night, as Johnson himself said “this song isn’t just for Christmas” and encouraged everyone to sing-along, it was “The Power of Love” and my god, incredible, even I, not an emotional person, welled up a bit seeing and hearing that live, it was amazing and I’m glad I got to see it live, bloody brilliant!
He didn’t just walk off stage though, he credited and introduced his band, thanked the crowd and bowed out, having a photo, he seems a genuinely lovely and down to earth guy and I would easily see him live again, what a show!
SEE WHAT HOLLY JOHNSON IS UP TO HERE
Holly Johnson, ABC and Heaven 17 was gig number 33 of 38 of TK Maxx Presents Live at Piece Hall for the Summer of 2026, alongside Cuffe and Taylor, it’s been an incredible string of gigs so far and the lineups get better every year, I’ve been really impressed with the quality and variety they’ve brought to not just Piece Hall, but a number of venues across the UK this year, 2026 may be nearly done and dusted, but 2027 acts can’t be far behind, keep an eye out!
CHECK OUT MORE FROM CUFFE AND TAYLOR HERE
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