The early 1980s was an extraordinarily rich and varied time for pop music. New technology was appearing, pushing the boundaries of what was sonically possible. At the forefront of this technological revolution was the synthesizer. Previously only affordable for the few, by the early 1980s synths were relatively cheap; and Scottish bands were buying.

From the pioneering early works of future stadium rockers Simple Minds, through the pop perfection of Altered Images, and into the weird and wonderful world of The Associates Scottish bands forged new ground in the early years of the decade, creating a lasting impression on the UK pop charts. They produced some of the best synth pop songs of all time - from Smalltown Boy to Sweet Dreams - and inspired generations to come.

Today Scotland’s synth pop heritage lives on via hugely popular alternative act Chvrches, whose nostalgic but fresh take on the sound sells out stadiums around the world.
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