Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey

On 20 September 2026 at Chalk in Brighton and Hove, Blancmange shares the stage with Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey. Formed in Harrow in 1979 by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, Blancmange found its place in early 80s synth-pop and new wave with dry, percussive keyboards, dancefloor-ready rhythms and melodies touched by Eastern influences. After an initial run of albums including Happy Families, Mange Tout and Believe You Me, the project paused before returning at the end of the 2000s. Since Blanc Burn in 2011, Neil Arthur has steered Blancmange solo, leaning into a more introspective writing style that moves between electronic pop, stripped-back new wave and instrumental detours. Records like Semi Detached, Commuter 23, Unfurnished Rooms, Wanderlust, Mindset and Private View trace that trajectory. On stage, the set threads formative tracks with newer material, carried by Arthur’s vocal lines and a lean, synth-led framework that keeps the pulse steady and the hooks understated.