Howard Jones looking forward to Birmingham O2 Academy concert

It's been 29 years since electronic music pioneer Howard Jones burst on to the scene with the jaunty New Song in 1983. Now he's back on tour to play his first two albums in their entirety.

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Howard Jones' first two albums, Human's Lib and Dream Into Action – which also spurned the hits What Is Love, Hide and Seek and No One Is To Blame – formed the soundtrack to the early 80s for many music fans.

Now, although he's never actually really been away, Jones is back to perform those two landmark albums in their entirety on tour for the first time, including a gig at Birmingham 02 Academy on Saturday, April 14, 2012.

It follows the re-release of remastered versions of Human's Lib and Dream Into Action last year.

So how did he decide to play the whole of the two albums in concert?

"There were a few things behind it," says the quietly spoken musician. "One was the fans have always been asking me to do it. It was a real popular request.

"It also coincided with us licensing back my masters from Warner Brothers for the first five albums.

"We've been working on that for a long time and we persuaded them to do it to enable us to do the remastering project and also get hold of the multi tracks so that when we do the shows we can really accurately present the detail of those two albums, resample the sound and all that stuff."

Some of the songs that will feature on tour have never been played live before, explained Jones.

"Especially from Dream Into Action, things like Why Look For The Key and Is There A Difference? We had to go back to the drawing board with those.

"But a lot of the tracks, although they've been played live, have never been done accurately. They've kind of been more approximations of the records. So we've been meticulous about it being authentic, to get the real flavour of it. And also new fans who are too young to have been around in the beginning can get a sense of what it was like."

Was that because of the drawbacks of the technology back then?

"I think it's a variety of reasons," says Jones. "One, because I wrote the songs, I could play them in any way I like and also you're right about the technology because now it is possible to layer up those sounds on one keyboard and sample the old analogue keyboards into new ones and to have an electronic drum kit with all the different sounds. "

The two-album setlist has been given a dress rehearsal of sorts, with a one-off run through at London's O2 Indigo Arena in front of diehard fans and since released on DVD.

"Because it was a one-off at the time, I could have been a little bit more relaxed," he laughs. "But I had so much to remember it was like I was concentrating for so long and so hopefully with these gigs in April I'm going to be a little bit more on top of it."

Back in the early days Howard Jones was famous for playing entirely solo, just him, a head mic and a bank of synths, alongside a costumed dancer, Jed Hoile, wreathed in chains and covered in make-up.

These days, Jones tours with a drummer, second keyboard player and backing singers. How does that compare?

"It's really a nice experience to have other people around and it takes the pressure off me a bit," he replies.

"I always used to be a one-man show and you're on the road on your own. I know you've got support staff around but people on the stage can really appreciate what it's like. It's like you've got your mates with you.

"I much, much prefer it, having a band. It gives me more freedom."

So what memories does Jones have of breaking into the pop charts?

"It was all amazing really. One minute I was playing the Nag's Head in High Wycombe and the Marquee in London and the next thing I knew I was on Top Of The Pops and it was like everybody in the country knew who I was and knew the songs as well.

"So it was very exciting and brilliant. I'd been dreaming of this. Actually I never thought it would happen but it did, so I just had a fantastic time really, travelling the world, making records, meeting all kinds of people."

He remembers one Birmingham concert in particular.

"When we played the NEC back in 1985, it was the last date of the tour and we filmed it. So it's always going to be very, very special to me because it was an amazing gig. I've always had a very strong following in the Midlands, which I'm very grateful about. And that gig, it's recorded forever and it was very special night."

And now?

"Obviously it's nowhere near as frantic or as mad. I'm still really enjoying what I do and the fact that I can still do it after all this time, and exploring new ways of doing shows , working with new gear and I'm still writing new tunes. I'm very fortunate."

Towards the end of last year, Howard Jones was recruited to present a series of show about 80s music on Absolute Radio.

"I absolutely loved doing that," he laughs again. "I did four of them in December and I really enjoyed it. In fact I was going to say to them that I'd be happy to do some more.

"I enjoyed choosing the music and also talking about the people I know who made those records and how they made them, and anecdotes of meeting them and so on.

"I've always loved the radio ever since I was about nine. I used to fall asleep listening to the radio every night and I listen to radio all the time now. It's one of those great mediums, you can listen to it anywhere.

"I wanted people to hear the band Japan and not just the single Ghosts. There were things like The Art Of Parties also from Tin Drum. That was such a great album, so original. Also Scritti Politti was one of my big favourites from that time.

"And the band The Fixx, who were big in America. They were produced by my friend Rupert Hine, who produced my first two albums. So I've got a big connection with that. That record, Reach The Beach, is a really excellent album. Also a new band called Hurts, who I thought would be good for people to hear."

Jones is also happy that there is still plenty of electronic pop music being made.

"I think what Lady Gaga did, certainly on her first album, was very 80s influenced and electronic and looking back to the analogue sounds. I think a lot of new artists have rediscovered the 80s and working with the roots of electronic music. I think it's a good thing."

Howard Jones plays Birmingham 02 Academy on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Click here to buy Howard Jones tickets.