Thing Can Only Get Better: Howard Jones brings the 80s to the PNC Bank Arts Center - 8/21/26

Growing up in the 1980s is one of the things I remember most from my life. It was an incredible decade just full of innovative music concepts, ideas, and bands pivoted robustly from the previous few decades of classic rock to form a new more modern sound. The 80s were highlighted by New Wave bands and glamour bands and some of the best of the decade showed up at PNC Bank Arts Center on Friday, August 21st, 2026, for a spectacular show of their hits.

Howard Jones invited Modern English, The (English) Beat, and Wang Chung to join on the tour. The bands were playing in support of Jones and his latest tour; Things Can Only Get Better.

The show was hosted by Richard Blade, one of the best-known disc jockeys from the 1980s. Blade came to prominence while working in radio in Los Angeles with KROQ-FM covering the bands of the 80s. Blade was exceptional as master of ceremonies for the show at PNC leading the audience through the best music of each of the years from the 80s.

Modern English kicked off the night’s festivities and delivered on the sound they created in the 80s, which still sounds great today. The band from Colchester, England played some of their best hits during their quick 30-minute set which included “Gathering Dust,” “Long in the Tooth,” “Swans on Glass,” and their international hit “I Melt With You.” The song appeared on the band’s 1982 album After the Snow. Robbie Grey, the lead singer sounded great during the set as well as the entire band. At one point during the set Grey yelled out to the crowd “are you having fun” as they continued playing an excellent set.

Check out the official video of “I Melt With You” by Modern English below:

The fans in attendance clearly loved this great evening of music with applause and standing ovations throughout the night.

During the break between bands Blade talked about the 80s music scene. Hearing him go on about how great 1984 was for music brought back monumental memories for me. Blade told of how Nena’s “99 Luftballons” went to #5 on the New Wave charts, and I was stationed in Germany at the time and had the opportunity to see her in concert. I was amazed at how time flew by so quickly from 1980 to 2026. Frankie Goes to Hollywood had the #1 hit of the year with Relax in 1984.. Blade further elaborated on the fact that the following year Duran Duran was #1 with “View to a Kill.”

The (English) Beat from Birmingham, England took the stage second during the festival to a great audience reception. For the next 30-40 minutes they belted out some great versions of their classics including “Save it For Later,” “The Tears of a Clown,” and their most famous song “Mirror in The Bathroom.” Dave Wakeling, the original singer still sounds great as well as the band on stage at PNC. Wakeling announced at one point that Wang Chung was in the house and that Howard Jones is backstage too all ready to go.

Check out the official video for “Save It For Later” by The (English) Beat below:

Before finalizing his overview of the 80s for the evening, Blade discussed The Smiths, Wham, and of course the Pet Shop Boys, one of the 80s great bands, the Cure and INXS, with the legendary frontman Michael Hutchence. Blake finished up his commentary discussing 1989’s big hit, “Red Red Wine” by UB40.

While 1989 sort of ended the fascinating 80s, the great bands from the decade continued making music moving into the grunge era in the early 1990s, but these prominent bands we were fortunate to see at PNC still tour over 30 years later.

Wang Chung, whom I had never seen before, opened their set with “Wait,” followed immediately by a great version of “To Live and Die in L.A.” The band also covered a dynamic “Should I Stay or Should I Go” from The Clash before wrapping their set with “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” Wang Chung, a band definitely known for their party classic also produced a lot of hits in the 1980s, and were in fine form at PNC.

Check out the official Wang Chung’s “To Live And Die In L.A.” below:

After a great evening of 80s music and reliving some amazing music 40 years ago, Howard Jones closed out the show with a stellar set. Jones was charismatic as he chatted up the audience in between songs. He still has his great voice which was in fine form throughout his set. It was outstanding to finally get to hear Jones sing in person, and hear such hits that I grew up on such as “Like to Get to Know You Well,” “Everlasting Love,” and probably his biggest hit during his career, “Things Can Only Get Better.”

Check out the official video for Howard Jones’ “Things Can Only Get Better” below:

At one point during the show, the PA stopped working shutting down the set for a few minutes a Jones and band left the stage while the sound was being repaired. The sound crew were highly seasoned and professional and quickly had the sound going again without a hitch. Jones and band returned playing even better than previous and finished a fantastic night of music with “Things Can Only Get Better.”

Hopefully, Jones will continue touring and hosting this dynamic 80s reunion again in the future. It was a great night of music providing a once in a lifetime chance for some to relive these 80s bands and some of the music we were raised on in our 20s. I think it’s safe to say the fans in attendance were grateful for the great opportunity they were given with this tour.

Howard Jones’ setlist included:

Stand Up
New Song
Like to Get to Know You Well
The Prisoner
The One to Love You
Everlasting Love
Life in One Day
No One Is to Blame
You Know I Love You, Don’t You?
What Is Love?

Encore:
Things Can Only Get Better

Enjoy more photos of Howard Jones headlining the outstanding Things Can Only Get Better festival at PNC Bank Arts Center on August 21, 2026. All photos are copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller: