SAN ANTONIO – The Espee will become a neon time machine on Saturday as the Lost 80s Live Tour brings an all-star lineup of new wave and synth-pop favorites to San Antonio.

Curated by legendary SiriusXM DJ Richard Blade, the 2025 tour features one of its biggest rosters yet: A Flock of Seagulls, General Public, Big Country, Icicle Works, Peter Godwin, China Crisis, The Vapors, and more. It’s a chance to see the bands that defined a decade — many of whom haven’t toured the U.S. in years — sharing the stage for a night packed with hits, deep cuts, and pure ‘80s attitude.

Blade, whose radio and TV career helped launch acts like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and The Cure into American pop culture, says this year’s bill is about more than nostalgia.

These songs were always good — sometimes ahead of their time,” he says. “They just needed the right stage again.

For Mike Score, frontman of A Flock of Seagulls, the tour is a celebration and a bit of a history lesson.

These shows are like family gatherings,” he says. “You’ll see parents dancing to ‘Wishing’ and kids showing up with the hairdo. It’s fun, and it’s a little bit educational for the younger crowd who’ve only heard the songs on the radio.

Score remembers the early days when the band’s sci-fi-inspired sound and striking look first caught American ears. Hits like “I Ran (So Far Away)” and “Space Age Love Song” became staples of both radio and MTV, helping to define the visual and sonic style of the early ‘80s. Today, the live performances still carry that same energy. “When people hear ‘I Ran’ live, they’re surprised at how powerful we still sound. It’s not nostalgia — it’s muscle memory. The band’s still tight.”

The Lost 80s Live format — with each act playing a tight, hit-filled set — keeps the night moving and the crowd on its feet. And with Blade behind the scenes, it’s more than just a booking of bands; it’s a curated experience designed to remind audiences why this music still matters. “It’s about rediscovery,” Blade says. “You hear those guitars, those synths, that melody you haven’t heard in 40 years — and suddenly, you’re 17 again.”

For San Antonio fans, it’s a rare chance to catch so many iconic acts in one place, each bringing their own piece of the ‘80s soundscape — from soaring guitars to shimmering synth textures to infectious dance grooves. Whether you grew up with these songs or you’re hearing them live for the first time, the night promises a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy.

Lost 80s Live – The Espee, San Antonio
Saturday, August 16, 2025