Howard Jones at more at Stir Cove in Council Bluffs, Iowa on August 1, 2026.
Photos and Review by The Pit Magazine Contributor, Peter Amisano Photography
Howard Jones Things Can Only Get Better Tour
There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when four bands who genuinely shaped the sound of a decade share one bill, and the Things Can Only Get Better tour, curated by Howard Jones himself, makes good on its promise.
A night of anticipated nostalgia, dancing and, well, fun, was hosted by the charismatic, longtime KROQ/SiriusXM DJ Richard Blade, whose between-set banter added to the sentimental feel of the evening, like a house party thrown by someone who loves this music.
RICHARD BLADE GALLERY
Modern English
Modern English opened the evening with a blend of post-punk atmosphere and melodic warmth. The band remains forever associated with “I Melt with You,” but their set demonstrates that the song emerged from a deeper, moodier catalog. The guitars retain their shimmer and grit, while frontman Robbie Grey brings an understated presence that suits the music.
MODERN ENGLISH GALLERY
Their set moves from newer, rawer material off 1 2 3 4 into the moody synth-and-guitar textures that made them popular in the college music scene. It all builds, ultimately, to “I Melt With You,” and even as an opener slot, the crowd sings along like it’s the headline moment. Robbie Grey’s voice has aged into something warmer and grainier, which suits the well-aged song even better than the original.
The English Beat
The English Beat changes the temperature immediately. Its combination of ska, reggae, soul, and punk gives the concert its most rhythmically animated stretch. “Mirror in the Bathroom” provides sophistication and swing, while “Save It for Later” remains a masterclass in turning tension into irresistible pop.
ENGLISH BEAT GALLERY
Dave Wakeling and company turned the venue into a ska-pop dance floor within. This is the set where lawn seats empty and everyone migrates towards the stage. The band’s energy is relentless, and there’s a genuine sense of gratitude radiating from a crowd that knows exactly how good these songs still are.
Wang Chung
Jack Hues and Nick Feldman bring the evening’s biggest jolt of pure pop pleasure. Wang Chung’s set is sleek, hook-heavy, and theatrical, building toward the one-two punch of “Dance Hall Days” and, “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” The latter turns the whole amphitheater into a mass singalong of a chorus that was seemingly built for exactly this moment — thousands of people, decades removed from 1986, shouting “everybody Wang Chung tonight”.
WANG CHUNG GALLERY
Howard Jones
Finally, Howard Jones took the stage, and he delivers a set that balances technological showmanship with genuine sentiment. The lasers shooting from his headset and his keyboard rig were a spectacle, but the real draw is how well these songs have held up: “New Song” and “Like to Get to Know You Well” still bounce with optimism, “No One Is to Blame” still aches in exactly the right way, and “What Is Love?” gets one of the loudest reactions of the night. The closing title track, “Things Can Only Get Better,” lands as more than nostalgia, but an anthem for the ages.
HOWARD JONES GALLERY
What makes this tour work isn’t just the hit density, though there’s plenty of that. It’s the sense of camaraderie between four acts who came up together, respect each other, and seem genuinely delighted to be sharing a stage after decades of parallel but separate careers.
Photos by The Pit Magazine photographer, Peter Amisano Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska. ©2026.
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