Cabaret Voltaire (band)

Cabaret Voltaire
Cabaret Voltaire
	Left to right: Richard H. Kirk, Stephen Mallinder, Chris Watson
Background information
Origin	Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Genres	Industrial; post-punk; EBM; electro; acid house; techno;
Years active	1973–1994; 2009–2021; 2025;
Labels	Industrial; Rough Trade; Factory; Some Bizzare/Virgin; Parlophone/EMI Group; Mute; Les Disques du Crépuscule; Doublevision; Plastex; Instinct;
Spinoffs	Acid Horse; Hafler Trio; Sandoz; Sweet Exorcist;
Members	Stephen Mallinder; Chris Watson;
Past members	Richard H. Kirk;

Cabaret Voltaire are an English music group formed in Sheffield in 1973 and initially composed of Stephen Mallinder, Richard H. Kirk, and Chris Watson. Named for the Zürich nightclub that fostered the early Dada movement, the band are often characterized as among the most innovative and influential electronic acts of their era.

The band's early work consisted of experimentation with DIY electronics and tape recorders, as well as Dada-influenced performance art, helping to pioneer industrial music in the mid-1970s. Finding an audience during the post-punk era, they gradually incorporated more conventional elements of synthpop, dance, house and funk styles. After Watson's departure in 1981, the group continued as a two-piece until disbanding in 1994. Kirk revived the name as a solo project from 2009 until his death in 2021.

Watson and Mallinder announced on 13 May 2025 they would be performing a 50th anniversary gig on 25 October 2025 as part of the Sensoria Festival in Sheffield.