Erasure

Erasure is a British synthpop duo formed in London in 1985. They first entered the music scene with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That" and after the release of their fourth single "Sometimes" they became one of the most successful bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s. They are popular in the UK, mainland Europe and South America, and are also popular among the LGBT community due to singer Andy Bell's status as a gay icon.

The group's name is said to have originated when they discovered the word "erasure" written on a demo tape of "Who Needs Love Like That" by a Mute Records technician.

Overview
Keyboard/synth player Vince Clarke, who had previously been a member of Depeche Mode, Yazoo and the Assembly, placed an advert in Melody Maker looking for a singer. He selected Peterborough-born Andy Bell.

The band first achieved minor success with their third single "Oh L'amour", but the other two singles from their debut album Wonderland, as well as the album itself, flopped. It was only when their fourth single "Sometimes" reached No. 2 in the UK and Germany that they gained serious recognition. The duo went on to achieve many top ten hits including "A Little Respect", "Love to Hate You" and "Always", and scored No. 1 albums in The Innocents, Wild!, Chorus and I Say I Say I Say.

Duran Duran
Erasure were the opening act for Duran Duran during certain dates of The Strange Behaviour Tour in 1987. Their setlist chiefly included songs from their then-recently released album The Circus, such as "Sometimes", "It Doesn't Have to Be" and "Victim of Love". They also played songs from Wonderland, including singles "Who Needs Love Like That" and "Oh L'amour".