As luck would have it, 80’s-themed festivals are making a huge comeback. Thanks to talent buyer and show producer AKA (CPO) Chief Party Officer Jon Pleeter who curated the multiple market Totally Tubular 2024 tour, things kick off on June 25th in Seattle and eventually end on July 28th in Cleveland. Thankfully, Wheatland is also on the itinerary and is only the tour’s second stop.
“This is a dream lineup for those who love the music of the early 1980’s, and for those who want to relive the days when life was plain and simply a total party. You wore day-glow, you wore parachute pants, you had big hair, perms and more perms, mullets, leg warmers, along with tons of buttons and lots of rubber bracelets. You wore sunglasses at night. The choruses were big, and the hooks were bigger—the party didn’t end” said the always enthusiastic Pleeter about the night’s program.
For those not in the know, this gathering features some of the biggest and most recognizable names in pop music including Thomas Dolby, Thompson Twin’s own Tom Bailey, Modern English, Men Without Hats, Bow Wow Wow, Tommy Tutone, The Tubes, and The Plimsouls. And while the set lists are short, the entertainment value is top tier including only the biggest hits from each of the well-known acts.
Expect to see lots of 80’s-era MTV videos from acts not on the bill in between sets and lightning quick changeovers which keep the show rolling along at a both fun and furious pace. Rather than having to wait upwards of an hour for your favorite song, attendees will immediately be treated to such classics as “She Blinded Me With Science,” “Safety Dance,” “867-5309,” “I Want Candy,” “Melt With You,” “She’s A Beauty,” and more.
Although there is certainly no dress code enforced, 80’s attire is highly encouraged. Time to dust off those old Guess, Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Gucci, Adidas, and Members Only clothes or shoes for a night of high octane hits sure to keep your dancing feet moving all through the night.
Said the show’s headlining act Thomas Dolby, “Dig out your old roller-blades, fire up the Delorean, or just pull on a white glove and moonwalk over to the Totally Tubular Festival!”
The Totally Tubular show plays Hard Rock Live located in Wheatland at 3317 Forty Mile Road. Doors open at 5pm and things kick off promptly at 6pm. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and totallytubularfestival.com. All ages are welcome. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will go towards food banks in each city. Bonus points for the best video game-themed shirts.
(Rio Linda Online)