Lost ‘80s Live

Turns 21& Brings Belinda

March 1, 2023 by Traci Turner

Lost ‘80s Live has given us several awesome shows, cruises, and beach parties – including last year’s on Catalina Island – and for their 21st anniversary, they are showing us “Heaven is a Place on Earth.”

The one and only Belinda Carlisle is making her Lost ‘80s debut as the event brings back some our favorite ‘80s artists for two nights: August 26th at Honda Center in Anaheim and August 27th at The Greek in Los Angeles.

While Carlisle could break out some Go-Go’s tunes, her own material should be plenty: “I Get Weak,” “Circle in the Sand,” “Fool for Love,” “Mad About You,” “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” “Runaway Horses,” and “Live Your Life Be Free” have been crowd favorites of late.

Hosted by Mr. First Wave, Richard Blade, the two evenings will include returning acts Wang Chung, General Public, The Romantic’s Wally Palmar, Missing Persons, Naked Eyes, Musical Youth, Animotion, Stacey Q, Shannon, The Untouchables, and Trans X.

Wang Chung should get everybody having fun, because duh, that’s what they do! “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” should be paired with their other hits, “Let’s Go” and “Dance Hall Days.”

Dave Wakeling will bring General Public to the show and do some of our faves: “Never You Done That,” “I’ll Take You There,” “Tenderness,” and “Hot You’re Cool” for starters. Will he toss in some English Beat tracks?

When I spoke with The Romantics’ Wally Palmar last year for the beach party, he was so incredibly nice, I wanted to slay dragons for him. Palmar will surely treat the crowd to “What I Like About You” and “Talking in Your Sleep.”

Pretty much a required act for Lost ‘80s gigs, Dale Bozzio and Missing Persons return to do “Walking in L.A.” actually in L.A.! Bozzio will have people singing along to “Mental Hopscotch,” “Words,” and “Destination Unknown.”

Pete Byrne from Naked Eyes was another one of my favorite interviews last year as he is incredibly kind. The originator of “Always Something There to Remind Me,” “Promises, Promises,” and “When the Lights Go Out” released new music recently and is ready for another epic evening of ‘80s music.

Musical Youth has grown up, but “Pass the Dutchie” remains an ageless favorite. Last year’s interview with front-man Dennis Seaton led to me finding out it was actually about a cooking pot, not a smoking pot, but hey, it’s still a classic! Check out their other tunes “Never Gonna Give You Up,” “Youth of Today,” “Generals,” “Political.”

Los Angeles synth band Animotion became an “Obsession” for many in the ‘80s (sorry, was that a bad dad joke?). They will be on hand to perform “Obsession,” plus “Let Him Go,” “I Engineer,” and “Room to Move.”

Another one of the amazing women of the Lost ‘80s shows is Stacey Q. An absolute sweetheart to talk to, she had everyone dancing along on Catalina to “Two of Hearts” and “We Connect.”

Shannon also kept the Catalina crowd dancing and became a fan favorite for her energy level and oh-so-incredible voice. Will she bring her backup dancers this time? Hmmmm… Not sure, but she will surely sing her mega hit, “Let the Music Play.”

I am guilty of being a huge Jerry Miller fan. In addition to being a living legend, he is such a pleasure to talk to and he continues to lead The Untouchables with the energy of a 30-something. The mod/soul/ska-pioneers tend to arrive looking sharp and ready to put on a fantastic show. Expect to skank along to “I Spy for the F.B.I.,” “Wild Child” and “Free Yourself.”

And Trans X rounds out the lineup for the anniversary shows. The synth pop group gave us “Living on Video,” “Message on the Radio,” and “3D‐Dance.” Nowadays, Canadian front-man Pascal Languirand is creating ambient, cosmic, and space music with his bandmate/wife, Luana Viana de Souza.

All sorts of ‘80s goodness is awaiting you at the Lost ‘80s Live 21st anniversary shows! While they are celebrating all year and across the US, if you want to see Carlisle and these specific acts, make sure to get tickets to these two August shows.

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SID 230301 | JIMMY ALVAREZ, EDITOR

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