New wave icon Howard Jones has announced the “Things Can Only Get Better” North American tour for summer 2026. The feel-good ’80s event also features fellow British greats Wang Chung, English Beat and Modern English and will be hosted by SiriusXM’s Richard Blade. All four acts will perform full sets. Fans can expect to hear such hits as “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.” Tickets are available here. (An artist presale can be accessed using code ‘BETTER2026’.)

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. Our aim is to bring some joy with the banging pop anthems that we all know and love.”

Wang Chung’s Jack Hues and Nick Feldman stated, “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.”

Modern English’s Robbie Grey added, “Will be great touring with old friends again. Every night will be a top night.”

Electronic music pioneer Jones first burst upon the contemporary music scene in 1983, with his pioneering synthesizers on “New Song.” His follow-up releases include the 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 came out of the post-punk, new wave scene in the U.K., going on to achieve global success. They have had 6 U.S. Top 40 hits including a #1 including “Dance Hall Days” and “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” They achieved cult status with their soundtrack for 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.

English Beat‘s unique sound has allowed them to endure for nearly four decades. They 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 and the band crossed over fluidly between soul, reggae, pop and punk. Their sound continued to evolve, through the General Public era (a band formed by Wakeling with The Beat’s toaster, Ranking Roger) and Wakeling continues to tour the world as The English Beat with an amazing all-star ska backing band playing all the hits of both bands.

Modern English remain one of the defining bands of the post-punk era, with their 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 their iconic hit “I Melt With You” which became a defining song of the ’80s and continues to resonate with new generations of listeners.

Things Can Only Get Better 2026 Tour (Tickets are available here)
JULY
19 Napa, CA – Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions At Meritage Resort
20 Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery
21 Paso Robles, CA – Paso Robles Event Center
23 Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
24 San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
26 Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre
29 West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
30 Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

AUGUST
1 Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Cove
4 Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
5 Grand Prairie, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre
7 Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater At White River State Park
8 Rochester Hills, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
11 Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavilion
12 Lewiston, NY – Artpark Amphitheater
14 Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Resort Spa & Casino
15 Washington, DC – The Anthem
19 Boston, MA – Citizens House Of Blues
20 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health At Jones Beach Theater
21 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
23 Toronto, ON – The Bowl At Sobeys Stadium

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