Photos and Review by Raven Divito
@rockinshots

Four MTV icons from the 1980s took the stage at The Venue on August 1, 2025 as part of the I Want My 80s Tour, offering a time-traveling night of big hits, and a whole lot of fun.

**Rick Springfield: Still Rocking at 75**

Headliner Rick Springfield may have had a few off moments—forgetting lyrics and seeming a bit out of sync—but the crowd was still fully engaged. Known to many as Dr. Noah Drake from General Hospital, the Australian-born heartthrob is now 75 and impressively fit, eventually going shirtless during his set to show off his still-ripped physique.

Backed by a top-notch band, Springfield tore through his catalog of hits with undeniable energy. During “Affair of the Heart” and “I’ve Done Everything For You,” he grabbed roses from in front of his monitors and used them to strum his guitar, sending red petals cascading across the stage and into the audience—a signature move that never gets old.

A medley of hits followed, including snippets of “Living in Oz,” “Bop ‘Til You Drop,” “Two Tickets to Paradise,” and “Rock of Life.” Fan favorites like “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Human Touch,” and of course, the show-closing “Jessie’s Girl,” had the crowd on their feet, singing along and reliving their youth.

Springfield, a Grammy and American Music Award winner, has carved out a multifaceted career as a musician, actor, producer, and best-selling author. With 22 studio albums and a lifetime of achievements, his legacy is undeniable. One standout moment was the poignant “World Start Turning,” a song he introduced as being about depression. His powerful delivery and message served as a touching reminder of the importance of mental health—making it one of the night’s most moving performances.

**John Waite: Voice Still Golden**

Before Springfield, English rocker John Waite took the stage and proved he hasn’t lost a step. The former frontman of The Babys and Bad English delivered a powerhouse set filled with both solo hits and classic band anthems. Waite’s voice was in excellent form—soulful, strong, and expressive.

He captivated the crowd with “Change” and “Missing You,” and drew huge cheers with The Babys-era hits like “Midnight Rendezvous,” “Head First,” and “Back On My Feet Again.” The romantic ballads “When I See You Smile” and “Every Time I Think of You” added emotional depth, while his closing cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”—featuring Matchbox 20’s Kyle Cook on guitar—lit up the venue. Waite even got the audience to sing along, adding to the camaraderie and electric vibe of the night.

**Wang Chung: Quirky, Cool, and Crowd-Pleasing**

Wang Chung opened their set with a deep cut—“Wait”—from the To Live and Die in L.A. soundtrack, before revving things up with “Let’s Go” and “Dance Hall Days.” A cheeky cover of The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” was cleverly reworked with the line “Should I Wang or Should I Chung,” much to the crowd’s delight.

Visuals played a big part in their performance, with a backdrop featuring a cathode-ray TV ablaze, flashing their name like an ’80s fever dream. By the time they launched into the euphoric “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” the audience was fully dancing, proving that everyone really was Wang Chung-ing.

**Paul Young: Short but Sweet**

Opening the night was British blue-eyed soul singer Paul Young, who treated fans to a brief but heartfelt four-song set. While short, it ended on a high note with “Come Back and Stay” and the classic “Everytime You Go Away,” which had the audience singing along and swaying in unison.

The I Want My 80s Tour is more than a concert—it’s a celebration of a defining musical decade. It brought back memories of shoulder pads, mixtapes, synth-pop, and timeless rock anthems. From power ballads to party jams, the night was pure nostalgic joy, proving that these artist and their music still have the power to move us.

For the latest tour updates and news, visit Rick Springfield’s website at www.rickspringfield.com