Cabaret Voltaire
The Regency Ballroom
May 15, 2026
Photos by Raymond Ahner
Touring for their final time after a celebrated 50 plus year career, electronic music masters Cabaret Voltaire have returned to North America for the first time in over thirty years. The band pulled up to The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco recently, playing to a packed house full of fans that were there to see them one last time. And judging from their reaction, the band did not disappoint.
Ahead of the tour, Cabaret Voltaire have just released a live album entitled But What Time Is It Really, which is a glimpse into what fans can expect to hear at the show.
After a perfectly executed set by I Speak Machine, ( which is the project of Tara Busch, who is filling in for original member Chris Watson) Cabaret Voltaire opened their set with 24/24, and never looked back. Founding member Stephen Mallinder was at the helm, and clearly seemed to be enjoying himself as he played bass, keyboards, and provided vocals to the band’s most well known songs.
With visuals provided by a video screen at the back of the stage, Cabaret Voltaire performed a 17-song set, during which Mallinder paid tribute to the late Richard H. Kirk, another founding member who passed away in 2021.
Highlights included “The Set Up,” “Theme For Doublevision,” and “Seconds Too Late,” but it was the back to back to back of “Crackdown,” “Spies in the Wire,” and “Fascination” that had the near capacity crowd on their feet.
After wrapping up their set “Do Right,” the band returned for “Nag Nag Nag” and “Sensoria,” which is the track they are most known for.
Cabaret Voltaire (and I Speak Machine) return to the U.S. in September for a handful of dates, and this may very well be the last time to see them perform. They are definitely not to be missed.
