Yaz Reunites for a Tour

Yaz, 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
July 20

Before Vince Clarke became half of Erasure, he was half of Yaz, the British synthpop duo fronted by Alison Moyet. The two reunited this year for the first time in 25 years and put on an electrifying show. When Yaz had split after just two albums, Clarke—who also was doing some behind-the-scenes songwriting for such groups as Depeche Mode—joined Andy Bell to form the hit synth group Erasure, while Moyet embarked on a solo career. But at this reunion, the duo sounded fresh and crisp, as though the year was still 1983.

Yaz (known as Yazoo in England) played most of the songs from their two albums, including hits such as "Situation,” “Don’t Go,” and “Only You” from their 1982 debut album, Upstairs at Eric’s. Most enjoyable from their second album, You and Me Both was the song "Mr. Blue."

The only instrument on stage was Moyet’s voice, that rich, passionate voice that sounds a bit like Annie Lennox but with more angst. Clarke was sans keyboard, relying on sampling via his laptop. They clearly traveled light.

Many in the crowd were dancing, although moving at all was tough in the oversold club. Some of the Black Cat "Right Round" goers were spotted in the audience; Yaz is often played there by the deejay though on this night they got to dance to the real thing.

Some have argued that synthesizer pop detracts from musicianship because of the lack of instrumentation. Perhaps on some level it does. But this is also its own sound, creative in its own right. One must appreciate how Yaz helped pioneer this sound and inspired, and continues to inspire, numerous later alt-indie acts.