Foggy Notion: Au Pairs - Playing With A Different Sex

'Playing With A Different Sex´ - 45th Anniversary

Au Pairs formed in late 1978 in Birmingham, UK in the post-punk era. They were a much-loved band who combined fun, dancey music with an innovative and, for that time, a daringly progressive message. In their original form they were 2 women and 2 men, the objective being to show that women and men can work together as equals. Lesley Woods led the band as frontperson, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist. Lesley was once described as “”one of the most striking women in British rock”. Their first album Playing With A Different Sex is a post-punk classic and focusses on gender and other politics. A critic from The Guardian praised it for its “viciously well-observed lyrics on contemporary life, love and the role of women “. The band is re-forming beginning 2026 when they commence a UK tour with Lesley Woods and new members. The 2 women/2 men balance remains. Au Pairs blend political lyrics with a tough funk-dance-rock idiom which is as relevant today as it ever was.