Pop Goes The ’80s will take to The Orleans Arena on Friday, Sept. 20. Six star-studded bands will come together to transport audiences back to the ‘80s, including A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Naked Eyes, Annabella’s BowWowWow, When in Rome and Tommy Tutone.
Grammy Award-winning band, A Flock of Seagulls, played a significant role in shaping the music scene of the ‘80s. The group, comprised of members Mike Score, Ali Score, Frank Maudsley and Paul Reynolds, achieved great success on the charts during the early part of their career with hit singles like “I Ran (So Far Away)” and “The More You Live, the More You Love.” Their instrumental track “D.N.A.” also earned them a Grammy Award.
Wang Chung, London-based duo consisting of Nick Feldman and Jack Hues, has been a prominent new wave group for nearly 40 years. They have created many enduring hits, such as the well-known 1989 song “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” Their music has been prominently featured in various films, video games and television series, showcasing their enduring impact on the music industry.
Naked Eyes gained popularity in the early ‘80s through the collaboration of Pete Bryne and Rob Fisher. Drawing inspiration from ‘60s vocalists, they recorded a rendition of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Always Something There To Remind Me,” which quickly resonated with fans. Subsequently, the duo continued to release music that garnered airplay on U.S. radio stations and secured a frequent spot on MTV.
Formed in the early ’80’s, Annabella’s BowWowWow is led by one of the most iconic voices of the ’80’s, Annabella Lwin. The band is known for a catalogue full of classics, including “C30, C60, C90 Go,” “Go Wild in the Country,” “Do You Wanna Hold Me,” and “I Want Candy.” Their distinctive sound and style have inspired well-known bands, such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt and Green Day.
An English synth-pop/new wave band, When In Rome was initially formed by singers Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, along with keyboardist Michael Floreale. Their most famous track, “The Promise,” reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988. The group has had successful shows in the USA and South America, and they are currently touring and working on new music.
Tommy Tutone is a power pop band led by vocalist Tommy Heath and guitarist Jim Keller. Their debut 1980 single “Angel Say No” made it to the American Top 40, but it was their 1981 hit “867-5309/Jenny” that propelled them to the top of the charts, reaching No. 4 and earning a gold certification in early 1982. The band released their first studio album in more than 20 years, titled Beautiful Ending, in 2019.
Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online atwww.orleansarena.com.
