Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp has spoken about his lasting memory of playing Belfast in the mid 1980s — performing the Troubles-themed hit single Through the Barricades.

The pioneers of the New Romantic movement — who are getting back together after 20 years — are set to return to Belfast this October as part of their Reformation Tour.

And the band’s bassist said he was looking forward to playing the city which inspired their top 10 song Through The Barricades. The track, penned by Martin’s brother Gary Kemp, tells the story of two star-crossed lovers from both sides of Northern Ireland’s divide.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph onboard HMS Belfast on the River Thames in London — where the band held a Press conference this week to announce their reunion — Martin Kemp said: “I have one very vivid memory of playing Maysfield in Belfast and that was the crowd’s reaction to our song Through The Barricades.

“It’s a song about two kids from across the divide and yes it’s about Belfast, but it can be about any place where there is division.

“I remember being on stage and being really struck by how the crowd reacted to that song. It obviously said something to them.

“We’ll definitely be playing it when we come back to Belfast again and I hope the audience likes it as much the second time around.”

The former EastEnders actor, who starred in the movie The Krays with his brother Gary, said he also intended to see more of Belfast on this tour, admitting that the band’s partying at the height of their fame left him too hungover to explore.

“Back then I really didn’t make the most of the travelling,” he said.

“To be honest I probably spent the time with a hangover in a darkened hotel room. This time I plan to get out and about a bit more.”

According to Martin, all five band members — the Kemps, Tony Hadley, John Keeble and Steve Norman — are older and wiser now. And he cited their maturity as one of the reasons they had decided to reform — after a very high profile fall-out and ensuing feud.

Following their split in 1989, Hadley, Keeble and Norman sued songwriter Gary Kemp, claiming they were entitled to money from royalties. The court found in favour of Kemp.

But there were no signs of hostilities between the five as they gathered onboard HMS Belfast, scene of their first ever gig, to host a packed Press conference.

Martin Kemp, who survived a brain tumour, said: “Getting back together was something we all wanted to do. We had all reached a point in our lives where it just made sense. Playing music is our hobby when we’re not working so it seemed like a good excuse to be able to get up and play in front of thousands of people.

“We’re older now and life’s experiences along the way have not always been good, which put things in sharp perspective for us all.

Singer Tony Hadley said: “We were a bit apprehensive having our first rehearsal, but it was brilliant.”

Hadley said that the band’s drummer John Keeble had been instrumental in getting them all back together. “He’s the Henry Kissinger of pop music,” he said.

The band are expecting to play their back catalogue of hits on tour, including Through The Barricades, Gold, True and To Cut A Long Story Short, but said they were not ruling out recording new tunes.

They also said they would not be donning early New Romantic attire such as kilts or frilly shirts.

l Spandau Ballet play the Odyssey Arena on October 14 2009. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, April 2, at 9am.