November 4, 2021 | Concert Review by Greg Vitalich
The well-attended two-day Halloween themed brew fest featured unlimited beer tasting, costume contests, and great live music.
With a hint of fall chill in the air on a pleasant Orange County evening, A Flock of Seagulls was greeted by an enthusiastic audience, many adorned in costumes with drinks happily in hand. The band also displayed a festive Halloween spirit by taking the stage in costumes.
A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS | PHOTO by Greg Vitalich
Dressed in Jack Skellington (A Nightmare Before Christmas) onesie pajamas, founding member singer/keyboardist Mike Score and his bandmates took the audience on a mesmerizing journey of catchy new wave tunes with a trademarked balance of heavy synth melodies and bold echo-laden guitar hooks.
Highlights of the set were songs off their 1982 self-titled debut album, including “Space Age Love Song” and of course the mega-hit “I Ran (So Far Away),” which got the crowd raising their hands in the air and singing along loudly. I also enjoyed the performance of my favorite tune, the hypnotic “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)” from their underrated second album “Listen” – from which the band also played “Nightmares” and “Transfer Affection.”
A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS | PHOTO by Greg Vitalich
Prior to the new wave headliners, the awesome and animated ‘80s cover band The M80’s put on quite an entertaining show. Playing popular hits by Def Leppard, Prince, Journey, The Outfield, Simple Minds, and more, you won’t see a better flashback band than these guys!
THE M80’s | PHOTO by Greg Vitalich
It was a fantastically festive and joyous evening! How can you beat unlimited craft beer and live music from A Flock of Seagulls at a Halloween themed event? While the now clean shaven Mike Score’s distinctive ‘80’s “wave” hairdo is long gone, A Flock of Seagulls and The M80’s proved that great music from the 1980swill live on forever!
