photo from July 2015 by Armando Brown |
Music purists often consider the Eighties to be a shallow decade. Key example: the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee, which has yet to acknowledge the importance of Depeche Mode, The Cure and The Smiths. Yet many artists most identified with that era are still going strong and influencing newcomers today.
Sponsored
by iHeart Radio, in honor of its most popular app, the inaugural iHeart
‘80s Party assembled six pop, rock and alternative hitmakers for a high
energy sold out concert and live simulcast at The Forum.
With
25-minute sets, everyone basically played wall-to-wall radio smashes.
They kept the momentum going and easily prompted concertgoers to dance
and sing along. Old music videos projected in the background allowed for
interesting then-and-now viewer comparisons.
Eighties-minded presenters like original MTV VJ Martha Quinn, Paula Abdul, Mario Lopez, actors Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna drew loud cheers. Kris Jenner? Not so much. The jeers were almost deafening.
De
facto headliner Culture Club provided soul aplenty, thanks to a large
backing band consisting of female backing singers, a horn section and
George’s own burnished vocals. “Church of the Poisoned Mind” was vibrant
as ever. Afterward, George (currently filming American TV’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and “The Voice” UK) enthused, “what a beautiful atmosphere.”
An
infectious “Miss Me Blind” was heightened by Roy Hay’s enthusiastic guitar solo and
“Time (Clock of the Heart)” still sounded luxurious. After a gracious
George thanked fans for continuing together on their long journey and
feeling “palpable love,” the band did a spirited “Karma Chameleon.”
Rick
Springfield has kept a high profile lately, with regular TV, film,
literary and music work (excellent studio album “Rocket Science” came
out last Friday).
In
Inglewood, his engaging performance started with rousing new tune
“Light This Party Up.” From there, Springfield displayed impressive
guitar (and flower smashing) prowess amid “I’ve Done Everything for
You,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers” (including a foray
into the crowd) and a ragged, but energetic “Love Somebody.” Some pyro
was involved and Aussie teen sensation Cody Simpson played guitar on a
fun “Jessie’s Girl.”
Tears
for Fears were professionalism personified and a clear standout among
the lineup. An ebullient “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” immediately
had people on their feet. “Sowing the Seeds of Love” was totally
enthralling as Roland Orzabal pointedly stressed the final
“politics of greed” lyric. Curt Smith’s dramatic gestures on “Mad World”
added to the intensity. The high-flying harmonies of “Head Over Heels”
and clanking synth-driven chants during “Shout” also went down a storm.
Both
Loverboy and Missing Persons’ sets were bogged down by a muddy sound
mix. Still, the former rocked
hard and propelled the party vibe, thanks to the anthemic “Working for
the Weekend,” racing “The Kid is Hot Tonight” and haunting “Turn Me
Loose.”
Despite
a lineup featuring The Knack’s Prescott Niles on bass, Missing Persons
was shaky at best. Dale Bozzio – the bill's only female lead singer –
seemed lost during “Mental Hopscotch” and “Words.” She later babbled
incoherently before the spacey “Destination Unknown” and “Walking in
L.A.”
My review originally appeared at ocregister.com
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