Artpark to host 'Howard Jones: Things Can Only Get Better Tour'

Headed to Artpark Amphitheater Aug. 12

Press releases

Artpark & Company announces an evening of iconic ’80s hits with “Howard Jones: Things Can Only Get Better Tour,” featuring full performances by Howard Jones, Wang Chung, The English Beat and Modern English, and hosted by SiriusXM’s Richard Blade. The mega bill will take place at the Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater in Lewiston starting at 6 p.m. Aug. 12.

All four artists will perform full sets. Fans can expect to hear the biggest hits from the decade including “Things Can Only Get Better,” “What Is Love, “No One Is To Blame,” “Dance Hall Days,” “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” “Save It For Later,” “I Confess” and “I Melt With You.”

This concert is presented by Artpark & Company.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 10. Prices include a facility fee. Additional charges apply for online orders. Purchase online at ticketmaster.com or artpark.net; by phone at 716-754-4375; or in-person at the Artpark box office, 450 S. Fourth St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 10.

Howard Jones (Image courtesy of Carise Yatter/Hired Gun Media)

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Of the upcoming tour, Jones said, “I dreamed of curating a tour with my favorite bands that could bring some positivity in our troubled times. I’m thrilled that this is actually happening this summer with the ‘Things Can Only Get Better Tour.’ Joining me are my friends Wang Chung, The English Beat, Modern English and Richard Blade. I’m so excited to be touring with these amazing talents. Our aim is to bring some joy with the banging pop anthems that we all know and love. ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ is a message of hope for a future that we can create, when we stand up for the world we want to live in. Can’t wait to see you this summer!”

Wang Chung’s Jack Hues and Nick Feldman said, “We are very excited to be joining Howard on this tour. We have known each other since the ’80s but have never toured extensively together before. We have worked with Dave Wakeling and the English Beat and Modern English more recently. They are all great guys and exciting bands – four British bands bringing their hits and that unique ’80s energy to your hometown – don’t miss it!"

Modern English’s Robbie Grey added, “Will be great touring with old friends again. Every night will be a top night. We will play songs from our latest album, ‘1234,’ and of course the classic early material and that song ‘I Melt With You.’ ”

Howard Jones will return to Lewiston this summer. (Photo credit: Dan Cairns) 

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Electronic music pioneer Jones has been a constant presence on the international touring scene for the past four decades, playing live in several different configurations including intimate solo shows and dates with his full high-tech band set-up. He first burst upon the contemporary music scene in 1983, with his very English songwriting and pioneering synthesizers with “New Song.” His first two albums, “Human’s Lib” and “Dream Into Action,” were worldwide hits. “Human’s Lib” reached No. 1 in 1984 in the U.K. and featured the hits “New Song” and “What Is Love?” In 1985, Jones released the follow-up, “Dream Into Action,” which quickly became a top 10 Platinum album in the U.S. and featured smashes “Things Can Only Get Better,” “Life In One Day,” “No One Is To Blame” and “Like To Get To Know You Well.” 

Wang Chung

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Wang Chung came out of the post-punk, new wave scene in the U.K., going on to achieve global success, selling millions of records. Throughout their 40-plus-year career they have released seven albums and three greatest hits compilations. They have had six U.S. Top 40 hits including a No. 1 and other international smash hits including “Dance Hall Days” and “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” They achieved cult status with their soundtrack for legendary director William Friedkin’s movie “To Live and Die in LA,” as well as their original song contribution to John Hughes’ legendary movie “The Breakfast Club.” More recently, Wang Chung’s music has been featured in TV shows “The Walking Dead,” “Breaking Bad,” “South Park,” “This is Us” and “Righteous Gemstones,” amongst many others.

The English Beat (Photo credit: Jay Gilbert)

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The English Beat is a band with an energetic mix of musical styles and a sound like no other. The band's unique sound has allowed it to endure for nearly four decades and appeal to fans, young and old, all over the world. The English Beat (known as The Beat in native England) first came to prominence as founding members of the British two-tone ska movement, with their classic first album, “Just Can't Stop It,” fitting squarely in that genre.

Band leader Dave Wakeling never felt constrained by the movement. The band crossed over fluidly between soul, reggae, pop and punk, and from these disparate pieces created an infectious dance rhythm. The band's sound continued to evolve over three studio albums, through the General Public era (a band formed by Dave with The Beat’s toaster, Ranking Roger), and it has continued its evolution with the 2016 release, “Here We Go Love,” a PledgeMusic crowd-funded album, and the band's first new album since 1982's “Special Beat Service”. Consummate showman that he is, Wakeling continues to keep The Beat alive and strong, touring the world as The English Beat with an amazing all-star ska backing band playing all the hits of The Beat and General Public.

Modern English

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Modern English, formed in Colchester, England, remain one of the defining bands of the post-punk era, with an original core lineup of Robbie Grey (vocals) and Michael Conroy (bass), intact since 1977. Widely regarded as innovators of the genre, the band is best known for iconic hit “I Melt With You,” which became a defining song of the ’80s and continues to resonate with new generations of listeners. MTV era songs "Hands Across The Sea" and "Someone's Calling" still thrill audiences. Modern English continue to bring both their enduring catalog and renewed creative energy to audiences worldwide. Their most recent album, 2024’s “1234,” remained in the Top 20 at college radio for six months.

Richard Blade

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Blade is one of the most popular and best-known DJs in America, hosting a daily radio show on both SiriusXM “1st Wave” Channel 33 and middays on KCBS, “Jack FM.” In the 1980s, he was the top-rated morning drive DJ on KROQ, Los Angeles, and hosted and directed numerous TV shows and series including “Video One,” “MV3” and “VideoBeat.” In 1991, he created “Richard Blade’s Flashback Lunch,” which aired daily at noon and was copied by many stations across North America. It also spawned a series of six CDs on Sony Music, Richard Blade’s Flashback Favorites.

At Artpark this season:

2026 events and programs at Artpark currently or about to be on sale include: “Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Got The Moves” (May 28); Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen, “Still Gettin’ Away With It Tour” (Friday, May 29); “Wine & Wheels” (June, multiple events); 16^th annual Artpark Fairy House Festival (June 20); Femmes Of Rock (July 10); Ziggy Marley, “Brightside Tour” (July 11); “Artcamps” for ages 8-13 (July 13-24); Sarah McLachlan, “Better Broken Tour” (July 14); Blackberry Smoke, “Rattle, Ramble and Roll Tour 2026” (July 15); Djo, “Summer Tour” (July 23); Cole Swindell (July 30); Tori Amos, “In Times Of Dragons Tour” (Aug. 4); “Howard Jones: Things Can Only Get Better Tour,” featuring Howard Jones, Wang Chung, The English Beat and Modern English, hosted by SiriusXM’s Richard Blade (Aug. 12); Turnpike Troubadours with special guests Muscadine Bloodline & The Creekers (Aug. 14); Andy Grammer “The Big Stupid Heart Tour,” with Walk Off The Earth (Aug. 21); The Rock Orchestra, “Arena of Fire” (Aug. 26); Sierra Ferrell, “Heavy Petal Tour” (Sept. 2); O.A.R. with Gavin DeGraw and KT Tunstall (Sept. 12); and Ray LaMontagne, “Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour” (Sept. 22); Charley Crockett, “Age of the Ram Tour,” with Durand Jones & The Indications (Sept. 29). Stay tuned for more events and programs. Visit artpark.net for up-to-date information.

Artpark & Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization bringing arts and culture to the community. Patron generosity makes that work possible.

The 2026 season is sponsored and supported in part by: M&T Bank; Charles D. and Mary A. Bauer Foundation; Cullen Foundation; New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Parks & Trails New York; Modern Disposal Services; Town of Lewiston; Niagara County Legislature; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.