Cabaret Voltaire are a Sheffield group formed in 1973 by Stephen Mallinder, Richard H. Kirk and Chris Watson, widely credited as pioneers of industrial music and electronic dance. Drawing on Dada, William Burroughs cut-up techniques and DIY tape electronics, they moved from abrasive post-punk through synth-pop and funk to house and techno across a catalogue spanning 17 studio albums. Kirk revived the name as a solo project from 2009 until his death in 2021; founding members Mallinder and Watson then reunited for a 50th-anniversary tour in 2025 and announced 2026 as the project's final year.
Cabaret Voltaire released the live album 'But What Time Is It Really?' on 24 April 2026 via Memetune, documenting the sold-out 2025 UK anniversary tour.
The band confirmed their 2026 farewell tour spanning North America, mainland Europe and the UK, and stated there will be no new studio recordings under the Cabaret Voltaire name.
Cabaret Voltaire are scheduled to perform at Flow Festival in Helsinki on 16 August 2026.
Founding members Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson announced on 13 May 2025 a 50th-anniversary performance at the Sensoria Festival in Sheffield on 25 October 2025.
Co-founder Richard H. Kirk died in autumn 2021, ending his solo revival of the Cabaret Voltaire name that had run since 2009.
festival(3 days)
Helsinki's leading music festival at Suvilahti, featuring a diverse lineup of artists and cultural programming.
festival12:00Flow Festival brings around 150 acts to Helsinki's Suvilahti over three days, with Zara Larsson headlining Friday and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds closing Sunday. The festival has run since 2004 and draws 90,000 visitors annually.