Marc Almond and Neal X

Marc Almond, born in Southport, gained fame as part of synth pop duo Soft Cell. Known for his theatrical style, he pursued a solo career after the band's 1984 split. Almond's work spans genres like cabaret, pop, chanson, and Russian folk. He released seminal albums with the Willing Sinners and collaborated with artists like Jarvis Cocker, Jools Holland, and Gene Pitney. Notable albums include "The Stars We Are" and "Absinthe." He covered Jacques Brel extensively and released a ten-disc retrospective, "Trials of Eyeliner." Almond was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2017 and remains an influential figure.