Howard Jones didn’t just book a summer tour. He curated an experience, hand-picking Wang Chung, The English Beat, and Modern English to join him on 21 North American dates under the banner of his “Things Can Only Get Better” tour, running July 19 through August 23. Each act performs a full set, hosted by SiriusXM and former KROQ stalwart Richard Blade, making every night a complete event rather than a support-slot shuffle. Jones intends this to be the first of an annual run.
The tour opens at Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions on July 19 and hits major rooms coast to coast, including The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, ACL Live at Moody Theatre in Austin, Citizens House of Blues in Boston, Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island, and The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium in North York, Ontario, for the finale. The setlist pulls from all four catalogs: Jones’ “Things Can Only Get Better,” “What Is Love,” and “No One Is To Blame,” Wang Chung’s “Dance Hall Days” and “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” The English Beat’s “Save It For Later” and “I Confess,” and Modern English’s “I Melt With You.” That’s a lot of songs people actually know every word to.
“I’ve always dreamed of curating a tour with my favorite bands that could bring some positivity in our troubled times,” Jones said. “Our aim is to bring some joy with the banging pop anthems that we all know and love.” Wang Chung’s Jack Hues noted that while the bands have known each other since the ’80s, they’ve never toured extensively together. That alone makes this worth showing up for. Jones will preview the tour on SiriusXM’s First Wave Hollywood Happy Hour with Richard Blade on April 10, with a live interview and studio performance.
Jones most recently completed an eight-date UK run last November marking the 40th anniversary of ‘Dream Into Action’, and he’s noticed something encouraging at every show. “It’s just great to see the old fans still there, and they’re bringing their kids and even Gen Z is showing up,” he said. “This is so exciting for me because it means my music is being discovered by a whole new audience.” Four British bands, one summer, a lot of anthems. Tickets are on sale now.
“Things Can Only Get Better” Tour Dates:
July 19 — Napa, CA — Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions
July 20 — Saratoga, CA — The Mountain Winery
July 21 — Paso Robles, CA — Paso Robles Event Center
July 23 — Los Angeles, CA — The Greek Theatre
July 24 — San Diego, CA — Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
July 26 — Las Vegas, NV — Resorts World Theatre
July 29 — West Valley City, UT — Maverik Center
July 30 — Greenwood Village, CO — Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
August 1 — Council Bluffs, IA — Harrah’s Stir Cove
August 4 — Austin, TX — ACL Live at Moody Theatre
August 5 — Grand Prairie, TX — Texas Trust CU Theatre
August 7 — Indianapolis, IN — Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
August 8 — Rochester Hills, MI — Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
August 11 — Kettering, OH — Fraze Pavilion
August 12 — Lewiston, NY — Artpark Amphitheater
August 14 — Atlantic City, NJ — Borgata Resort Spa & Casino
August 15 — Washington, DC — The Anthem
August 19 — Boston, MA — Citizens House of Blues
August 20 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
August 23 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
August 23 — North York, Ontario — The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium