“Retro Futura” takes Belinda Carlisle, ABC and many totally tubular others back to the ‘80s

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Multi-act bills of ‘80s artists are popping up all over the planet, but the “Retro Futura” Tour continues to be the premiere destination for a totally tubular time, at least as far as America is concerned. Following a couple years starring Howard Jones, alongside major comebacks for the Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey and Paul Young, the 2018 edition is once again a winner thanks to Belinda Carlisle (on loan from The Go-Go’s), ABC, Modern English, Tony Lewis (The Outfield), Limahl (Kajagoogoo) and Annabella Lwin (Bow Wow Wow).

Between her time fronting one of the earliest all-female pop/punk bands and becoming a breakout solo star, Carlisle kicked off the co-headlining slots at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee focusing on exactly that, even with 2017’s “Wilder Shores” on her radar. Whether it was the group’s “Head Over Heels,” “Vacation,” “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “We Got The Beat” or her own “Mad About You,” “I Get Weak” and “Circle In The Sand,” the constant stream of girl power made it feel like “Heaven Is A Place On Earth.”

New wave/synth pop favorites ABC also returned to the studio with “The Lexicon Of Love II,” but wound up spending most of the time on its prequel, which mainly meant “Poison Arrow,” “All Of My Heart” and “The Look Of Love.” But the smooth, soulful Martin Fry and company recalled how many pieces of ear candy they acquired in the meantime (especially in England) thanks to “(How To Be A) Millionaire,” “When Smokey Sings” and “Be Near Me.”

Modern English turned in the newer electro pop tune “Trees” from “Take Me To The Trees” (its second project since reuniting in 2010), though the sublime “I Melt With You” naturally wound up being its set’s defining moment. The same could be said about “Your Love,” sung superbly by Tony Lewis from The Outfield, though smartly crafted tunes in the group’s power pop style from “Out Of The Darkness” (his first album since the passing of band mate John Spinks in 2014) deserve just as much of a listen.

Limahl brought back his own bouncy dance track “Never Ending Story” and of course “Too Shy” in the spirit of Kajagoogoo sounding like everyone would remember. Annabella Lwin recalled her teenage stint fronting the world beat-inspired Bow Wow Wow, including “Do You Wanna Hold Me?” and “I Want Candy” as added sweetness to a tastefully-curated throwback concert.

For additional information on the “Retro Futura” Tour, Belinda Carlisle and ABC, visit RetroFuturaTour.com, Facebook.com/BelindaCarlisleOfficial/ and ABCMartinFry.com.

For a list of upcoming shows at the Pabst Theater, visit PabstTheater.org.