AN 80s synth-pop duo is set to bring their iconic music to an Essex heritage site with a summer outdoor concert.

Heritage Live has announced the first of its 2023 summer shows at the grounds of Audley End House and Gardens.

Headlined by iconic 80s duo Soft Cell, the show aims to celebrate the defining music of the era and features special guests OMD and Heaven 17.

DJs, Readers Wifes, will also get the party started at the show from 3pm.

The show will take place on Friday, August 11 next year, with tickets going on pre-sale on Wednesday, November 9 at 9am, and general sale on November 11 at 9am.

On the show, Heritage Live Organiser Giles Cooper said: “It’s been an ambition of us all at Heritage Live to stage a show for the legendary Soft Cell, but to also have them joined by the iconic OMD and Heaven 17, will make this concert so unique within such a spectacular setting, that it’ll undoubtedly make this a night to remember for many years to come. We can’t wait!”

Having met at Leeds Polytechnic University in the late 70s, Soft Cell, featuring Marc Almond and Dave Ball, released four UK Top 20 albums between 1981 and 1984, spawning hits such as Memorabilia, Torch, Say Hello, Wave Goodbye; and their era-defining number one hit Tainted Love.

The duo performed to a sold-out crowd at The O2 in London in 2018 for what was intended to be a farewell concert, but instead led to the release of acclaimed new album Happiness Not Included, which entered the UK album charts at number seven earlier this year.

For access to the discounted pre-sale, visit https://arep.co/p/soft-cell.

General Sale tickets will be available from axs.com/heritagelive