new wave — Page 8

Berlin Featuring Terri Nunn at Saint Rocke | Hermosa Beach, California | 2/1/2013 (Concert Review)

February 3, 2013 by Jason DeBord 6 Comments

There are a lot of variables that go into what makes a great live music experience – the band, your own personal connection with their music, how their music has touched your life, the venue, the energy of the crowd, supporting acts, and obviously a lot of other factors as well – and this was one of those shows that delivered on all of that and more. Berlin featuring Terri Nunn headlined a show at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach Friday night, and it was an incredible show in an intimate setting that felt more like a friends and family atmosphere than the typical concert. In addition, Berlin played a new material from their forthcoming studio album that was nothing less than fantastic – new songs that are distinctly Berlin yet fresh and exciting. [Read more…]

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) Announce North America Dates for World Tour Supporting Upcoming Album “English Electric”

January 29, 2013 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

80s British synthpop new wave legends Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) have announced their highly anticipated concert dates for North America, now that it was recently learned that they will be performing at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. These additional dates in the United State and British Columbia will add to their UK and European dates that have already been announced, all in support of the forthcoming new studio album, English Electric. [Read more…]

Adam Ant Is Back, Releases First New Studio Album in 18 Years Following World Tour

January 23, 2013 by Jason DeBord 2 Comments

New Wave lives. One of the primary worries of music fans is the prospect of a favorite artist releasing new material after a significant absence from the music scene. Not only because it might suck, but it could be so bad that it consequently tarnishes the great works for which someone holds genuine love and nostalgia. Kind of like the music equivalent of George Lucas releasing new Star Wars and Indiana Jones films. Today, Adam Ant has released his first new studio album in 18 years. Characterized as autobiographical, the lengthy title – Adam Ant is the Blueback Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter – raises more questions than it answers. Thankfully, the music is fantastic; while true to the Adam Ant signature sound, it is definitely not merely a reimagining of what has already been done. [Read more…]

“Not So Silent Night” by Live 105 (Night 2, #NSSN) at Oracle Arena | Oakland, California | 12/8/2012 (Concert Review)

December 10, 2012 by Jason DeBord 9 Comments

As noted yesterday, Not So Silent Night (NSSN) is Live 105’s “Annual Holiday Rock Show”, with 2012 being the first year it spans two consecutive nights. This second night featured headliner The Killers, along with M83, Passion Pit, Tegan and Sara, GROUPLOVE, and Imagine Dragons. Again, I was very, very impressed at how extremely well managed this multi-artist event was on both nights. Oracle Arena again served as host to six amazing acts in about seven hours time, with very brief breaks in-between. I found the two night show to be such a great event to attend, to have an opportunity to see so many great bands back to back, with a stellar closing set by The Killers.

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“Not So Silent Night” by Live 105 (Night 1, #NSSN) at Oracle Arena | Oakland, California | 12/7/2012 (Concert Review)

December 8, 2012 by Jason DeBord 10 Comments

Not So Silent Night (NSSN) is Live 105’s “Annual Holiday Rock Show”, with 2012 being the first year it spans two consecutive nights. This first night featured headliner Jack White, along with The Shins, Metric, Of Monsters and Men, The Gaslight Anthem, Two Door Cinema Club, and Our Vinyl Vows. I’ve never been a fan of traditional, outdoor festivals (for a variety of reasons), but this was an extremely well organized multi-artist event that can serve as a model for how to do them right, and comprised an excellent line-up of artists. The packed Oracle Arena was treated to seven great acts in under seven hours. It was a really fantastic evening celebrating the work of some really great bands, with Jack White closing things out with a really amazing performance.

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Adam Ant at The Regency Ballroom | San Francisco, California | 10/18/2012 (Concert Review)

October 19, 2012 by Jason DeBord 10 Comments

New Wave revolutionary? Prince?? Pirate??? Adam Ant has adopted a multitude of roles spanning many decades… but as an icon of post-punk and early 80s music and pop culture, he still knows how to kill it on stage, which is what he did for the sold out crowd at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco last night, tearing through a massive 28+ song set list that still left out some fan favorites. Who would have imagined when he came on the scene in the mid to late 70s that not only would he still be selling out shows, but he’d still be relevant (and, looking backward, prescient) well into his late 50’s. Truly an artist musician, Adam Ant has created a culture and world all his own, and it is definitely a fun place to visit.

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Blondie with Debbie Harry & Devo (Double Headliner) at Mountain Winery | Saratoga, California | 9/11/2012 (Concert Review)

September 12, 2012 by Jason DeBord 5 Comments

Last night, Mountain Winery in Saratoga played host to a true co-headlining concert, with the two artists – Blondie and Devo – alternating opening and closing duties, date-to-date, as this joint tour gets underway, having kicked off just this week. The show was mixed overall, with Blondie putting on a stellar performance in her opening slot and Devo powering through some technical glitches that diminished their quite obvious intent to provide some serious fan service. Overall, it was a great night of 80s nostalgia for those in attendance. Both artists brought their very unique styles and presence to the stage, and overall it was a great opportunity to experience two very different performances.

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Clive Farrington, When In Rome UK: “Rock Talk” Podcast Audio Interview

August 17, 2012 by Jason DeBord Leave a Comment

This article features the third in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Clive Farrington of When In Rome UK. Last week I had the pleasure of seeing When In Rome UK perform along with a number of other bands best associated with the 80’s as part of the “Lost 80’s Live!” concert event at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, California. Mr. Farrington is a founding member of When In Rome and was kind enough to take some time to talk with me today about his history and experience with music and in the music industry, and the popularity of their huge hit, “The Promise”.

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Tears for Fears at Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium | San Francisco, California | 8/2/2012 (Concert Review)

August 3, 2012 by Jason DeBord 25 Comments

The Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium hosted last night’s concert performance by Tears for Fears. It doesn’t get much better than a set that opens with “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”, closes with “Head Over Heels”, and finishes an encore with “Shout”. Some of the most classic songs of the 80s, and the band looks and sounds as great as ever. It was a fantastic evening with an awesome set that spanned their catalog and reflected the real diversity of their work. Truly one of best songwriting teams that helped define the 80s. A fantastic evening and true thrill to see them perform live, and in top form. The songs never sounded better.

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Berlin featuring Terri Nunn at Thunder Valley | Lincoln, California | 4/13/12 (Concert Review)

April 14, 2012 by Jason DeBord 10 Comments

Tonight was the first Berlin concert of the year, in Lincoln, CA in the foothills of the greater Sacramento area. The legendary band that was prominent on the radio and MTV in the 80s played through many hits, one less played song (as voted on by Facebook users) and two new songs never played before a live audience prior to tonight. It was a fantastic show with a lot of energy, and Terri Nunn put on an amazing performance, both vocally and in terms of sheer audience interaction. The band killed it.

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