Iconic British synthpop duo Erasure recently celebrated their 30th anniversary as a band and have a new album, World Be Gone, fresh on the racks (or download sites of your choice). They’re also set to tour Europe this summer, as unlikely foil to Robbie Williams – including a roof-raising appearance at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Buzz caught up with one half of the duo, Vince Clarke, for a quick chat.

Buzz: Hi Vince! You recently celebrated your 30th year as a band. When you first formed Erasure did you ever think it would last this long and that you’d still be playing music in 2017?

Vince: No, ha ha! I mean, who could possibly imagine? When we started Andy was a stranger to me, and vice versa, and it took a while for us to get to know each other. Looking back I can’t believe that it’s been this amount of time.

What would you put your longevity down to?

Well, Andy’s a very laidback person and some of that laidbackness has rubbed off. We’re a match made in heaven really. Like an old married couple.

You’ve got a new album coming out, which is rather politically charged, but with a positive outlook. Is that how you view the current political climate?

You know, there’s so much weird stuff going on in the world right now, that we felt we wanted to reflect some of that in this new record. But at the same time, I’m a naturally optimistic person.

You are playing some massive shows on the Robbie Williams tour – do you still get nervous in front of big crowds?

Well, I don’t think we’ve played in front of crowds this size ever, so I’m more excited to be honest. And what’s cool is that we are playing some places we haven’t played for a very long time. We were really flattered to be asked to do this.

You are playing the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. How do the Welsh crowds treat you usually?

Fantastic! We have a great time in Cardiff. We always play there on our own tours and it’s always brilliant for us there.

Erasure, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wed 21 June. Tickets: £65-£99. Info: 08442 777888 / www.principalitystadium.wales

words CHRIS ANDREWS