Howard Jones Recruits '80s Acts for 'Things Can Only Get Better' Tour

Wang Chung, The English Beat, and Modern English join the pop icon on the nostalgic summer trek.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:00pm

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An abstract illustration featuring stark black silhouettes of musicians and instruments against a bright red background, capturing the bold, graphic style of 1980s album art.The 'Things Can Only Get Better Tour' brings together beloved '80s acts for a summer celebration of nostalgic pop anthems.Napa Today

British pop star Howard Jones is headlining a new tour this summer called the 'Things Can Only Get Better Tour,' which will feature fellow '80s acts Wang Chung, The English Beat, and Modern English. The tour is named after Jones' 1985 hit song and aims to bring positivity and joy through the iconic pop anthems of the era.

Why it matters

The 1980s are experiencing a major resurgence in popular culture, with many artists from that decade reuniting for nostalgic tours and festival appearances. This new tour from Howard Jones taps into that demand for '80s music, bringing together several beloved acts from the era for a summer concert series.

The details

The 'Things Can Only Get Better Tour' will kick off on July 19 in Napa, California and wrap up on August 23 in Toronto, Canada, with additional tour dates to be announced. Tickets and a full schedule are available on the official Howard Jones website.

  • The tour will run from July 19 to August 23, 2026.
  • It will make stops in Napa, California and Toronto, Canada.

The players

Howard Jones

A British pop singer-songwriter known for hits like 'Things Can Only Get Better' and 'No One Is to Blame' in the 1980s.

Wang Chung

An English new wave band best known for their 1986 hit 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight'.

The English Beat

A British ska revival band that found success in the late 1970s and early 1980s with songs like 'Mirror in the Bathroom'.

Modern English

An English new wave band that had a major hit with 'I Melt With You' in 1982.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Howard Jones

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

— Howard Jones

What’s next

Additional tour dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as the 'Things Can Only Get Better Tour' continues to take shape.

The takeaway

This nostalgic '80s tour from Howard Jones and his hand-picked lineup of fellow iconic acts is sure to delight fans looking to relive the glory days of synth-pop and new wave music.