Concerts & Tours
From early 1980s gigs to the triumphant 2008 reunion.
Overview
Yazoo's live career was as brief as their recording career. During their original 1982–1983 run, the duo performed a limited number of concerts and television appearances, as Clarke was famously reluctant to perform live. Their 2008 Reconnected reunion tour — comprising around 25 concerts — gave fans the chance to experience the magic on stage for the first time in 25 years. A live album, Reconnected Live, was released in 2010 to document the tour.
Original Era (1982–1983)
Early Live Appearances
Yazoo performed a handful of club gigs and smaller venue shows around the UK to promote Upstairs at Eric's. These were intimate affairs, with Clarke behind his synthesizer setup and Moyet commanding the stage with her powerful vocals. The contrast between Clarke's static stage presence and Moyet's dynamic energy became a defining feature of their live shows.
Top of the Pops Appearances
Like most charting UK acts of the era, Yazoo made several appearances on BBC's Top of the Pops. They performed "Only You," "Don't Go," "The Other Side of Love," and "Nobody's Diary" on the show. These television appearances were crucial for bringing the duo to a wider audience.
UK Tour
A brief UK tour in support of Upstairs at Eric's saw Yazoo play theatres and mid-sized venues across England. The setlist drew from the debut album and included B-sides. The tour was well-received but short, reflecting Clarke's well-known aversion to touring.
Final Performances
Yazoo's last original-era live appearances came in early 1983, around the time "Nobody's Diary" was released. By May 1983, the duo had officially split, and no farewell concert was held. Fans were left without a proper goodbye.
The Reconnected Tour (2008)
Twenty-five years after their split, Yazoo announced a reunion tour in 2008 under the banner Reconnected. The announcement came as a surprise to fans, particularly given Clarke's long-stated discomfort with live performance.
Announcement & Reissue Campaign
Mute Records announced the Reconnected tour alongside a reissue campaign including the In Your Room 4-disc box set and Three Pieces compilation. Tickets sold out rapidly across multiple venues.
Opening Night — Copenhagen
The Reconnected tour opened in Copenhagen, Denmark, marking the first time Clarke and Moyet had performed together on stage in 25 years. The setlist drew from both studio albums and included deep cuts alongside the hits.
UK and European Theatre Tour
The tour included a run of UK and European theatre and concert hall dates. A highlight was the show at London's Hammersmith Apollo on 19 June 2008. Setlists featured tracks from both studio albums, including "Only You," "Don't Go," "Nobody's Diary," "Situation," "Midnight," and deep cuts like "Winter Kills" and "Ode to Boy." Notably, "Nobody's Diary" was performed live for the very first time on the reunion tour. The shows were widely praised, with critics noting that Moyet's voice had matured beautifully and that the electronic arrangements sounded remarkably current.
European Festival Circuit
Yazoo appeared at several major European festivals, including Barcelona's Sónar Festival on 21 June 2008. These festival slots introduced the duo to younger audiences alongside their loyal fanbase.
North American Dates
The tour crossed the Atlantic, where Yazoo (performing as Yaz) played shows in major US cities including the Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles (10 July), Terminal 5, New York (17 July), and the Beacon Theatre, New York (19 July). Clarke was amazed by the reception, telling Songfacts: "When we decided that we'd actually do the tour, neither of us had any idea if anybody out there would remember us." He was surprised when American fans told him that Upstairs at Eric's was "the one that we played to death when we were in college."
Tour Conclusion & Live Album
The Reconnected tour concluded after approximately 25 concerts. A two-disc concert album, Reconnected Live, was released in 2010 to document the tour. Both Clarke and Moyet expressed satisfaction with the experience. Clarke said: "It's been really good going back to these songs after such a long while." Moyet added: "Playing the material live is not about revision for me, it is about finishing something we started." No new studio material was recorded, and both returned to their primary projects.
Typical Reconnected Setlist
While setlists varied from show to show, a representative setlist (Beacon Theatre, New York, 19 July 2008) included:
From Upstairs at Eric's
- Don't Go
- Bad Connection
- Too Pieces
- Tuesday
- In My Room
- Goodbye 70's
- I Before E Except After C
- Winter Kills
- Midnight
- Bring Your Love Down (Didn't I)
- Situation
From You and Me Both
- Nobody's Diary
- Mr Blue
- Good Times
- Ode to Boy
- Sweet Thing
- Walk Away from Love
- Anyone
- Unmarked
- State Farm
The most frequently played songs across all Yazoo concerts: "Situation" (36 times), "Don't Go" (34), "In My Room" (30), "Only You" (30), and "Bring Your Love Down (Didn't I)" (29).
Live Legacy
The Reconnected tour was a rare and special moment — a chance for a generation of fans to finally see Yazoo perform live, and a reminder that the music had lost none of its power. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and the tour proved that the chemistry between Clarke's electronic landscapes and Moyet's commanding voice was as potent as ever.