Believe it or not, “Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go,” the groundbreaking debut single by synth-pop duo Soft Cell, celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2026. A medley of two songs from the early 1960s (“Tainted Love,” originally recorded by Gloria Jones and “Where Did Our Love Go,” originally recorded by The Supremes), the single, which remains in regular rotation to this day, helped cement the popularity of the new wave genre stateside. Queer lead vocalist Marc Almond and his musical partner, the late David Ball, left an indelible mark with that single, as well as songs such as “Sex Dwarf,” “Bedsitter” and “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye.” The current iteration of Soft Cell, led by Almond, is part of The Generations Tour, which also includes The Human League and Alison Moyet (of Yaz fame) on the bill. Almond made time to speak with us in advance of the tour.
Gregg Shapiro: Throughout June and into early July 2026, Soft Cell is one of three iconic British acts performing on The Generations Tour. How does it feel to be considered iconic?
Marc Almond: I think it’s a great accolade to be called an icon by people who’ve grown up with you and bought your records. It means you’ve made an impression on their lives, and your work has been appreciated, and you represent something special to them, and for that, I am humbled.
GS: Will The Generations Tour be the first time that Soft Cell performs with The Human League and Alison Moyet in this capacity, or has Soft Cell performed with either or both in the past?
MA: This is the first time I’ve toured with either artist. Human League was an early inspiration to Soft Cell; we both started in Northern England, where there was a vibrant early electronic music scene, so it’s great after all these years to finally be on the same bill with them, and Alison completes a wonderful lineup. We are all artists who made our names in electronic music.
GS: Is there any possibility that The Human League or Alison Moyet might join Soft Cell on stage for a number or two, or vice versa?
MA: There are no plans to. Each of us has our own set, and the first time we come together on this tour is the first night.
GS: The Generations Tour has dates in 21 U.S. cities. Are these all cities in which Soft Cell has previously performed?
MA: We’ve performed in many of the cities, but there are a few places I haven’t played with Soft Cell, such as New Orleans, Las Vegas and Nashville and we’re performing at some iconic venues such as Hollywood Bowl, Radio City Music Hall and Grand Ole Opry, which will be amazing.
GS: Are there any cities in which Soft Cell is especially excited about performing?
MA: I’m very excited about the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and performing in New Orleans because I’ve never been there, but I’m looking forward to it all.
GS: The Generations Tour takes place during June, which is Pride month. Do you think you might have time to take part in any of the Pride festivities taking place here in the States?
MA: Sadly, not this time, as the schedule is so tight but I wish everyone a happy Pride. Right now, it needs to be louder and more out there than ever.
GS: I love the name-dropping in the new Soft Cell single, “Danceteria,” including John Sex, Madonna, Anita Sarko and Andy (Warhol), as well as Congo Bill on the fourth floor. Why was now the time to celebrate this legendary and greatly missed venue?
MA: I wanted the album to be a love letter to New York in the early ’80s, when we first visited there and recorded our first albums — a journey through a night in New York, the impressions it made on me, and how it was a dream come true for me to visit the USA as a boy from the North of England. I was drawn into the creative dance club scene, of which “Danceteria” was at the heart of everything we loved. We launched our first album there, and I knew many of the people who performed and worked there, many of whom are now sadly not with us. And I just loved the very word “Danceteria!”
GS: To my ears, there’s a Nina Hagen tribute near the end of the song, when you sing “New York, New York.” Am I on the right track?
MA: I didn’t think of that at the time; I was just thinking of the Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli song “New York New York,” but it may have also been in my subconscious as I loved that album that Nina Hagen did.
GS: Soft Cell songs can be heard in regular rotation on Sirius XM’s First Wave station. What does it mean to you that you are able to reach Soft Cell’s original fanbase, as well as new generations?
MA: It’s wonderful that Soft Cell’s songs, most of which we recorded a long while ago, are still being played and part of the soundtrack to people’s lives. Younger generations are also coming to see us because maybe bands they like now were inspired by us. Streaming has opened up a wider musical world to cross generations, or we’ve been featured on soundtracks or covered by bands. “Tainted Love” is played all over the world in some place or at some time every day and just celebrated a billion streams.
GS: Finally, I wanted to express my condolences on the passing of your Soft Cell bandmate David Ball in 2025. Is there anything you’d like the readers to know about David?
MA: David was an original electronic music pioneer. We had great chemistry that continued over the years, heading on for 50 years since we started. I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for his music, and he would be overjoyed to know it was being kept alive. He will be greatly missed but always celebrated.
Soft Cell performs June 20 in Charlotte at The Amp Ballantyne.