Live Review: Howard Jones w/ Midge Ure @ 9:30 Club — 7/19/22

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, England, Howard Jones, Midge Ure, new romantic, new wave, sophistipop.

Howard Jones delivered a superb performance at 9:30 Club on July 19, 2022. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

“I’m going to write the most positive song I’ve ever written in my entire life!” Howard Jones declared to himself when crafting the pandemic-era album, Dialogue, which has released this year. He was inspired to write as “things were getting better,” and the result was worthy!

Now, the British new wave singer-songwriter is known for his share of positive messages, so this was a tall order in deed. The new song, however, “Celebrate It Together,” one of three new tunes performed by Howard in his recent appearance at 9:30 Club, was embraced with enthusiasm by the very full house.

In fact, the entire night was something of a lovefest with the talented Mr. Jones in top shape, commanding a full array of synthesizers, accompanied by his long-time friend Midge Ure as opener.

Live Review: Midge Ure @ City Winery — 11/2/21

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged City Winery, folk, Glasgow, Midge Ure, new romantic, new wave, Scotland.

Midge Ure performs at City Winery DC on Nov. 2, 2021. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

Brimming with bonhomie, Midge Ure reflected upon the 2012 reunion of powerhouse quartet Ultravox and the resulting album Brilliant during his recent performance at City Winery DC.

Midge recalled reconnecting with his old bandmates for a series of performances, and the surprise offer of a record deal that was offered promptly to them.

Interview: Midge Ure (@ City Winery, 11/2/21)

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Mickey McCarter in Preview and tagged City Winery, folk, Glasgow, Interview, Midge Ure, new romantic, new wave, Scotland, Ultravox.

Midge Ure (Photo courtesy Erika Tooker)

Midge Ure, the legendary voice of new romantic outfit Ultravox, returns to the United States for a fresh solo tour this month. Taking time off his successful livestream series, Midge presents “Un-Zoomed And Face To Face” at City Winery DC on Tuesday, Nov. 2!

And speaking of Zoom, Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter recently chatted with Midge via Zoom to get details on the tour and all of Midge’s other current creative endeavors.

Book Talk: Beautiful Colors: The Posters of Duran Duran by Andrew Golub

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged book talk, Duran Duran, England, new romantic.

In three weeks, Duran Duran will release Future Past, the legendary band’s 15th studio album, via Tape Modern for BMG. Should you want more Duran Duran prior to that, we recommend you acquire a copy of Beautiful Colors: The Posters of Duran Duran, curated by Andrew Golub (aka Durandy) and photographed by Christine Born with a foreword by Nick Rhodes!

Fans of Duran Duran know the band truly has been about more than just outstanding music — the gents always have concerned themselves with the visual aesthetics of their art as well. Nothing captures that fact better than Beautiful Colors.

Livestream Preview: Culture Club @ SSE Arena, Wembley, 12/19/20

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Boy George, Culture Club, England, livestream, London, new romantic, new wave, SSE Arena Wembley.

Culture Club (Photo courtesy Ticketmaster)

New wave icons Culture Club sound better than ever, and you can hear and see for yourself when they take to the stage at SSE Arena, Wembley, on Saturday, Dec. 19, for a special livestream performance, Rainbow in the Dark!

Interview: Midge Ure Chats About 40 Years of Ultravox’s “Vienna”

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Mickey McCarter in Uncategorized and tagged folk, Interview, Midge Ure, new romantic, new wave, Patreon, Scotland, Ultravox.

Midge Ure (Photo courtesy Erika Tooker)

The brilliantly talented Midge Ure inaugurated his Backstage Lockdown Club — a series of live performances, presentations, and chat — via his Patreon site over the last few months. The gregarious singer-songwriter takes requests, performs acoustically, shares tales, greets guests, and more several times a month for a very reasonable subscription fee! In a time of very few concerts due to the pandemic, Midge has thrown us a live music lifeline, and it’s an absolute pleasure to be greeted in song or story by his distinctive Scottish vocal.

During the concert series, Midge performs songs from his solo back catalogue as well as covers and selections from his other bands, including of course Ultravox, the influential New Romantic band he fronted from 1979-1988 (and again circa 2008-2013). Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter caught up with Midge via Skype to chat about Backstage Lockdown Club, the 40th anniversary of Ultravox’s breakthrough album Vienna, and more.

Livestream Preview: Midge Ure @ Patreon, 9/19/20

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged folk, livestream, Midge Ure, new romantic, new wave, Patreon, United Kingdom.

Midge Ure (Photo courtesy the artist)

Midge Ure has launched his Backstage Lockdown Club! And Midge has scheduled his next livestream show for Patreon supporters on Saturday, Sept. 19.

The Backstage Lockdown Club gives the viewer exclusive, regular access to a series of intimate, musical events on a monthly subscription basis. Every month there will be at least one (for a minimum of 45 minutes) Club Event with the opportunity to make musical requests, Q+A sessions, acoustic songs, and just generally chat with Midge, all live from his Environment Studio.

My Favorite Artist: Duran Duran

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged Duran Duran, England, MGM National Harbor, My Favorite Artist, new romantic, new wave, The Fillmore New Orleans.

Duran Duran performs at The Fillmore New Orleans on Feb. 19, 2019. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

Editor’s Note: Parklife DC asked its contributors to write essays about their favorite bands. These essays appear in an occasional series, My Favorite Artist, and provide our readers with insights into our bloggers, their motivations, and their approach to covering concerts.

To my ear, music is at its best when it motivates and inspires. Popular music provides a forum for catharsis, surely, but I am most excited when I hear something that stirs my soul, lifts my head, and moves my feet.

Cue Duran Duran.

Live Review: Midge Ure @ City Winery — 2/5/20

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged City Winery, Glasgow, Midge Ure, Nalinee Darmrong, new romantic, new wave, post-punk, Scotland, Ultravox, Visage.

Midge Ure performs at City Winery DC on Feb. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nalinee Darmrong)

Midge Ure, the gregarious former frontman of Ultravox, answered questions and performed tunes from his solo career, Visage, Ultravox, and even the Rich Kids, in a recent evening of story and song at City Winery in Washington, DC.

Preview: Midge Ure @ City Winery, 2/5/20

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Mickey McCarter in Preview and tagged City Winery, folk, Glasgow, Midge Ure, new romantic, new wave, Scotland.

Midge Ure (Photo courtesy Erika Tooker)

Midge Ure returns to DC with his open and honest Songs, Questions and Answers Tour 2020, which lands at City Winery on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The show is sold out, but here are some things to know before you go!