Music lovers just can’t get enough of the ’80s.
That much was abundantly clear over this past weekend, as thousands of fans — including many who made the pilgrimage down from Bay Area — turned out to the Cruel World festival in Pasadena.
The lineup read like a who’s who of punk, new wave, post-punk and modern rock artists, most of whom experienced their pinnacles of success in the ’80s, and included Morrissey, Blondie, Bauhaus, the Psychedelic Furs, Devo, Berlin, Missing Persons, the English Beat and more than a dozen other acts.
I was among the Bay Area folks who made their way down to the festival over the weekend, but if you weren’t — well, that’s OK, because a heaping helping of Cruel World-style music is on its way to you.
Here’s a look at some of the many old-school punk/new wave/post-punk shows scheduled in the Bay Area over the days, weeks and months to come. Some of them feature acts who actually performed at the 2022 festival and are migrating up to the Bay Area for a show or two, while the other highlighted artists would certainly fit on a future Cruel World bill.
Blondie, The Damned
If this were a “Jeopardy!” question, it’d read something like: These two Cruel World acts actually produced the majority of their best work in the ’70s, rather than the ’80s. The answer would be (in the form of a question, of course): Who are Blondie and The Damned? Of course, Blondie — with all those awesome hits like “Heart of Glass” and “One Way or Another” — will draw the lion’s share of the crowd. Yet, those fans would be wise to show in plenty of time to catch the opening set by the Damned, aka one of the finest punk acts in history.
Details: 8 p.m. May 17; Masonic, San Francisco; $55 and up, livenation.com.
Bauhaus
Who’s thinking about wearing a bright sunny Hawaiian shirt to this one? No one? Just me? OK, I guess I will be easy to spot then while Peter Murphy, Daniel Ash and company roll out those epic goth tunes.
Details: 8 p.m. May 21-22; The Masonic, San Francisco; $59 and up; livenation.com.
OMD
I might weep when this dreamy synth-pop act — aka Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark — gets around to playing “If You Leave.” Of course, I probably won’t be alone — so I’ll bring plenty of Kleenex.
Details: 8 p.m. May 24; Fox Theater, Oakland, $39.50-$59.50; apeconcerts.com.
Tears for Fears
The English pop band best known for the classic ’80s hits “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” actually has new songs to showcase. The band is out on the road in support of its recently released seventh studio album, “The Tipping Point,” and performs two nights in the Bay Area.
Details: 7:30 p.m. June 1 at Concord Pavilion; $12 and up; livenation.com; 7:30 p.m. June 2 at Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View; $22 and up; livenation.com.
Joe Jackson
Here’s hoping that the great singer-songwriter draws heavily from his first two albums — the pair of equally brilliant 1979 offerings, “Look Sharp!” and “I’m the Man.”
Details: 8 p.m. June 4; The Masonic, San Francisco; $65 and up; livenation.com.
Midnight Oil
The rabbel-rousing Australian rock band, whose best-known number is the 1987 smash “Beds Are Burning,” is making the rounds on its farewell tour.
Details: 8 p.m. June 4: Fox Theater, Oakland; $55-$75; apeconcerts.com.
Violent Femmes
The classic college-radio act, best known for its ’80s hit “Blister in the Sun,” celebrates the 30th anniversary of “Why Do Birds Sing?” with two shows in the Bay Area.
Details: 8 p.m. June 6 at the Fillmore, San Francisco; $59.50; livenation.com; 8 p.m. June 7 UC Theatre, Berkeley; $59.50; etix.com.
Boy George and Culture Club
Consider this your reminder of just how many great pop songs were on the band’s first two albums, 1982’s “Kissing to Be Clever” and 1983’s “Colour by Numbers.”
Details: 7:30 p.m. June 7; Mountain Winery, Saratoga; $69 and up; mountainwinery.com.
The Fixx
The band doesn’t get enough credit for its overall songbook, which includes far more than just the classic slice of ’80s new wave wisdom known as “One Thing Leads to Another.” Hear for yourself when the London band checks in at Bimbo’s 365 Club.
Details: 8 p.m. June 19; Bimbo’s 365 Club, San Francisco; $32.50; apeconcerts.com.
Howard Jones
It’s your chance to ponder, yet again, “What Is Love?” Also expect to such fan favorites as “No One Is to Blame” and “Things Can Only Get Better.”
Details: 8 p.m. June 22; Bimbo’s 365 Club, San Francisco; $55; apeconcerts.com.
Kraftwerk
Don’t miss this acclaimed German electronic music act, which ranks as one of the most influential and innovative bands of all time. It’s actually billed as a 3-D show, a format that played out marvelously for the band during its 2014 gigs at the Fox Theater in Oakland.
Details: 8 p.m. July 6; Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco; $69.50-$119.50; apeconcerts.com.
A-ha
I’m always looking for an excuse for a road trip to Napa. And the chance to see the “Take On Me” band ranks as an excellent one.
Details: 7 p.m. July 29; Oxbow RiverStage, Napa; $45-$129.50; apeconcerts.com.
Psychedelic Furs, X
Show of hands: How many people still get choked up thinking about the prom scene in John Hughes’ “Pretty in Pink” film whenever they hear the Furs’ great title track? Yeah, we thought so. Oh, and by the way, the bill also features one of the best punk bands of all time — the mighty X.
Details: 8 p.m. Aug. 11; The Masonic, San Francisco; $47 and up, livenation.com.
Johnny Marr
The legendary guitarist for the Smiths is opening up for the Killers. And, yes, it should be the other way around.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23; Chase Center, San Francisco; $39.50-$125; apeconcerts.com.
Soft Cell
The English synthpop duo, consisted of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball, embarks on reunion tour so that people can sing “Tainted Love” (and other favorites) at top volume.
Details: 8 p.m. Aug. 26; Masonic, San Francisco; prices TBA; livenation.com.
Gary Numan
The pioneering electronic music artist made a huge splash with the 1979 debut single “Cars.” All told, Numan has reportedly sold more than 10 million records during his career.
Details: 8 p.m. Sept. 1; Bimbo’s 365 Club, San Francisco; $39.50-$40; apeconcerts.com.
Lost 80’s Live
It’s like a mini-Cruel World, with A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, the English Beat, Naked Eyes, Missing Persons, Stacey Q, Animotion, Musical Youth, Dramarama and Kon Kan.
Details: 6 p.m. Sept. 3; Mountain Winery, Saratoga; $59 and up; mountainwinery.com.
Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers & Chic
You’ll get all those great DD hits — like “Save a Prayer,” “Rio,” “The Reflex,” etc. — as well as the chance to watch great guitarist Rodgers and Chic open the show.
Details: 7 p.m. Sept. 4; Chase Center, San Francisco; $35 and up; ticketmaster.com.
Roxy Music
It’s been more than 20 years since Roxy last played the Bay Area. That certainly factors into why this is (by far) the No. 1 show I want to see in 2022. Yet, the truth is it still would rank No. 1 even if I had just seen Roxy last week.
Details: 8 p.m. Sept. 26; Chase Center, San Francisco; $47 and up; ticketmaster.com.
Oingo Boingo Former Members
The headliners can crank out such ska-pop gems as “Only a Lad,” “Dead Man’s Party” and “Weird Science.” Then there’s the solid lineup of supporting acts, including Annabella’s Bow Wow Wow, Josie Cotton and, best of all, the Untouchables.
Details: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8; Mountain Winery, Saratoga; $39 and up; mountainwinery.com.
Pet Shop Boys, New Order
This should be one of the year’s best co-bills, with each act offering up its own distinctive spin on synth-pop dance music.
Details: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12; Chase Center, San Francisco; $59 and up; ticketmaster.com.
The B-52s
Hop in their Chrysler — “it’s as big as a whale” — and get ready to wave goodbye to the dance-rock outfit on its farewell tour.
Details: 8 p.m. Oct. 28-30; Masonic, San Francisco; $54 and up; livenation.com.
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