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HOWARD JONES

with ABC & Haircut 100

Live at YouTube Theater

August 26, 2024 Review by Michelle Cooper        

This week was unquestionably a week for ‘80s fans! We have Howard Jones, ABC, and Haircut 100 touring North America, Squeeze and Boy George performing dates together, and the always incredible Lost 80s – and here in Southern California the same week! Wow!

But first up for me were Howard Jones, ABC, and Haircut 100 in Los Angeles at the fairly intimate YouTube Theater. Although all three of these bands are iconic and have so many danceable hits, there was an extra buzz that had us excited about Haircut 100. The last time they toured in North America was in 1982! I know we don’t want to do that math as it ages us, but that was 42 years ago. Yes, it has taken 42 years for Haircut 100 to loop around back to the States! To say that we were giddy, well, that was an understatement!

It was such an extraordinary occasion, and as I was standing outside the theater, looking at my phone (could have kicked myself), I noticed a group of people walking by. I casually looked up and watched them walking in, then my brain kicked in and I realized: It’s Boy George! I was staring at the back of his head; he was close, but not close enough to call out. Arghhh! If you know me, you know he is my idol! Luckily I will see him at the next show…

Richard Blade (Mr. ‘80s himself) was on hand to emcee and introduce the bands; that alone had the crowd excited. In addition to his TWO, yes TWO official days in the City of Los Angeles, Richard Blade recently earned his star on the famous Walk of Fame for being “The” DJ of the ‘80s on KROQ. He made sure our cassettes were full of our favorite ‘80s music when we couldn’t afford to go to Music Plus or Tower Records to buy the UK imports!

Once again, I was very excited about Haircut 100 (HC100)! Nick Heyward and his mates Les Nemes and Graham Jones started the band under several other names – Rugby and Moving England – before they settled on their final, and unusual, band name Haircut 100 in 1977. In addition to the three original members, HC100 of today includes Patrick Hunt and Blair Cunningham on drums, Phil Smith on sax, and Marc Fox handles percussion.

Truly any three of these bands could have been the headliner; I don’t think the crowd would have been disappointed either way. I was personally quite happy with HC100 being the opener though because I couldn’t wait to watch Nick Heyward sing “Love Plus One” and “Fantastic Day.” He of course did, plus we got to enjoy “Baked Beans,” “Kingsize,” and “Triangles.”

Heyward sounded so smooth, and he looked so happy – like he really wanted to be there. The band was in sync and there didn’t seem to be any technical sound issues, which is huge when there are three bands playing on one stage.

The horns, the keys – it was reminiscent of the ‘80s in the clubs, a pop, soul, reggae, funk sound that made you feel happy and just want to dance. Seeing Heyward’s smile along with the music added such excitement, I just could not sit – it requires you to dance and feel a unity of joy and happiness with the whole theater. This is what they mean when they say music is “good for the soul.”

The last song was another amazing track, “Favourite Shirts.” The band gave us a genuine thank you and a group bow before leaving the stage. The audience was really thrilled and enthusiastically danced along with the performance, seemingly feeling exactly as I did! Another tour next year please!

Martin Fry of ABC was next to woo us, and he hit the stage looking suave as ever in a gold and black velvet tuxedo jacket, singing the fan favorite, “When Smokey Sings.”

I saw ABC last year and it was a great show, but I enjoyed tonight’s performance much better. Fry’s voice was so smooth and strong, and he sang hit after hit. The band was fantastic and once again I didn’t notice any sound issues.

It amazes me that these icons from our youth are in their 60s; I mean, I still feel like I’m 14 so I tend to forget their true age. But if their voices did crack or they couldn’t move so smoothly, I’d give them grace. I couldn’t do what they do night after night on the road or living the tour life.

However, Fry did not need any of my grace tonight! Fry was also very charming with the crowd and showed us his great smile frequently. His band sounded better than ever as they took us through the hits “Show Me,” “Millionaire,” “Poison Arrow,” “All of My Heart,” and the closing song, “Be Near Me.”

It was time for Howard Jones! First, Nick Beggs, formerly of Kajagoogoo, hit the stage, playing a powerful bass into “Pearl” as the stage is lit with a pink hue.

Out walked Howard Jones in a beautiful pink coat and the crowd cheered, excited once again as our third icon of the evening hits the stage. Beggs, truly the sound of Kajagoogoo, plays a unique instrument – the chapman stick, a bass instrument that is very difficult to play, bringing a massive bass sound to Jones’ songs. This is what makes him one of the best!

The crowd didn’t sit all night and Jones made sure to keep them moving as he sang “New Song,” “Too Shy,” “Hide & Seek,” and after some wardrobe changes, he ended his set with “What is Love” and “Things.”

The crowd was buzzing and asking for more, but sadly, the night was over – just like our youth.

But seriously, all I can say is “Bravo, Bravo!” to the promoters because this was a smart bill! As I drove home, the songs played like earworms, reminiscent of my night, and my many happy ‘80s memories.

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