Howard Jones Announces ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ N. American Summer Tour With Wang Chung, English Beat, Modern English (EXCLUSIVE)

It’s going to be an ‘80s MTV-fueled summer across the U.S. when New Wave icon Howard Jones takes to the road to headline his 21-date “Things Can Only Get Better” tour of North America, starting July 19 at the Blue Note Summer Sessions in Napa, California, and ending Aug. 23 in North York, Ontario, at The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium. Jones himself curated this year’s lineup, planned as the first of an annual event, featuring fellow U.K. stalwarts Wang Chung, The English Beat and Modern English each performing a full set, hosted by SiriusXM and former KROQ stalwart Richard Blade.

The dates are divided between Live Nation, AEG and local promoters.

The tour includes major plays at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (July 23), the Resorts World Theater in Las Vegas (July 26), ACL Live at Moody Theatre in Austin (8/4), the Citizens House of Blues in Boston (Aug. 19) and Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island (Aug. 20).

The set list will feature such fan favorites as 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” along with Modern English’s “I Melt With You.” 

“This is the best job in the world,” enthused Jones. “Playing songs that people love and hopefully, having them inspired by the lyrics. I’ve always dreamed of being a cheerleader for people who struggle to overcome their problems, empowering them to put their dreams into action.”

Jones will be appearing on SiriusXM’s First Wave Hollywood Happy Hour with Richard Blade on April 10, featuring both a live interview and a performance in front of a studio audience.

Added Jones, “I’ve always 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 and 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.  The tour offers a message of hope for a future that we can create, when we stand up for the world we want to live in.

“At the end of the day, the goal is to put on an amazing show, and have people leave the venue with a buzz. And to have them carry that energy through to whatever they’re dealing with in life.”

Both Jones and Wang Chung are managed by Jonathan Wolfson, whose Wolfson Entertainment is home for Daryl Hall and is also one of the tour’s producers along with Jones and Independent Artist Group.

Wang Chung’s Jack Hues added, “We have known each other since the ‘80s, but have never toured extensively together.  These are all great guys.”

Added partner Nick Feldman, “Four British bands bringing their hits to your hometown… what could be better?”

Jones most recently performed eight dates in the U.K. on his “Dream Into Action + Greatest Hits” tour last November, marking the 40th anniversary of the album.

“It’s just great to see the old fans still there, and they’re bringing their kids and even Gen Z is showing up,” enthused Jones. “This is so exciting for me because it means my music is being discovered by a whole new audience.”

THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER COMPLETE 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