new wave

Song of the Day: David Bowie’s “Five Years” by Duran Duran

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Duran Duran (Photo by Stephanie Pistel)

New wave legends Duran Duran long have embraced their David Bowie influences. And the quartet also have covered Bowie’s songs, first grabbing attention with their fantastic cover of “Fame,” which they introduced on their first-ever US tour (which included a date at The Bayou here in DC back in 1981).

Today, in celebration of what would have been Bowie’s 74th birthday, Duran Duran release a cover of his epic “Five Years” from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.

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

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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!

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Song of the Day: “One Wish for Christmas” by Limahl

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Limahl (center) and company (Photo courtesy Reybee Inc.)

UK music icon Limahl releases the festive single and video “One Wish For Christmas.” The holiday-themed track is an update to his previously -released song “London for Christmas” (originally released in 2012), reflecting the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had.

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Livestream Preview: Colin Hay Plays Men at Work @ Mandolin, 11/1/20

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Colin Hay (Photo by Sebastian Smith)

Singer-songwriter Colin Hay burst onto the global music scene as frontman for Aussies Men at Work. Colin revisits the greatest songs and other surprises of that remarkable band with his Los Angeles-based Men at Work Touring Band in a livestream show via Mandolin on Sunday, Nov. 1!

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

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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.

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Livestream Preview: Future Islands @ Noon Chorus, 10/9/20

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Future Islands (Photo by Justin Flythe)

Baltimore new wavers Future Islands release As Long As You Are, the band’s sixth studio album, this week via 4AD. That same day, Future Islands livestreams a special concert performance, titled “A Stream of You and Me” via Noon Chorus on Friday, Oct. 9.

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Livestream Preview: Modern English @ Indigo at The O2, 9/25/20

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Modern English (Photo courtesy Clarion Call)

After having to recently cancel its summer North American 40th anniversary tour — a run that was to also feature a front-to-back performance of its breakthrough 1982 album After the Snow — legendary British band Modern English provides fans with a broadcast performance of the entire album from the Indigo at The 02 on Friday, Sept. 25 at 8:30pm ET in a show specially designated for North America!

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Livestream Preview: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark @ Indigo at the O2, 3/27/21

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OMD (Photo courtesy Tell All Your Friends)

Editor’s Note: Originally scheduled for October 2020, this concert was rescheduled to March 27, 2021 due to COVID-19.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) recently announced a uniquely special You Me & OMD live show from London’s Indigo at The O2 on March 27, 2021 — set to raise money and awareness for their crew, whose livelihoods have been so affected in the wake of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

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Song of the Day: “J’Veux Un Chien” by Yelle

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Julie Budet of Yelle (Photo by Jerome Lobato)

France’s YELLE recently revealed the sweltering video for their song “J’Veux Un Chien” (“I Want a Dog”), the third single with a double-entendre.

Wanting a supportive partner (a dog) who respects one’s mind but also fulfills the dirtiest desires (not a dog!). The song is deep, dark and erotic. But yes, playful enough for your little cousin to sing. Brilliant. The music video, directed by Giant, is sophisticated yet simple, precise and powerful like the song.

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