Whether you grew up in the '80s or were introduced to '80s music by people who did, odds are there are a handful of artists from this decade who you never saw in concert. Some of these artists have retired, while others have ed the frontman torch to younger artists. Whatever the case may be, there's an unfortunately high chance that your favorite '80s artist isn't performing anymore.
On the other hand, there are still plenty of '80s legends who continue to travel across the country, or even the world, performing their biggest hits, sometimes mixed with their latest releases. Of course, some of these singers sound a bit better than others, but you can't expect all of them to sound just like they did in their twenties. If you're lucky enough to see your favorite artist or band from the radical '80s on this list, don't hesitate to purchase your tickets.
10 Rick Springfield
I Want My '80s Tour With John Waite, Paul Young, Wang Chung, & John Cafferty
Rick Springfield is one of those '80s icons who just doesn't know when to slow down. He's been touring at a pretty consistent rate for at least the past few years, and he still sounds incredible. Not to mention he's notorious for taking his shirt off during an encore performance of "Jessie's Girl" that you won't want to miss.
This time around, Springfield is teaming up with fellow '80s icons John Waite, Paul Young, John Cafferty, and Wang Chung for the I Want My 80s Tour, kicking off on May 28 in Clearwater, FL, and stretching through August 10 in Henderson, NV. The tour is presented by SiriusXM's '80s on 8 and Bear Bar Rum, making it an easy addition to your summer itinerary with additional dates in cities like Newark, NJ, Los Angeles, CA, and Englewood, CO.
Tickets and more information can be found on Springfield's official website. The special guests for each show are different, so be sure to check the details of each date if you want to see a specific artist over another.
9 Bryan Adams
Roll With The Punches Tour
In a similar vein to Springfield, Bryan Adams is a '80s legend, with hit songs like "Summer of '69" and "Heaven" that still make our parents rock out or swoon (or both). His stage presence and love for performing has never dwindled, making him a bucket-list artist for many fans. It's clear that he still loves what he does and intends to do just that for as long as he can.
The Canadian rocker is well on his way through his Roll With The Punches Tour, so if you're in North America, I'm sorry to say that you just missed him. Don't fret, I'm sure he'll be back around this time next year. Beginning on April 21 in Reykjavík, Iceland, Adams is set to rock all the way through the summer, ending on August 14 in Tallinn, Estonia. With the tour named after his impressive 16th studio album, it's not likely that Adams will give up the guitar just yet.
Tickets and more information can be found on Adams' official website.
8 Def Leppard
Festivals, Arenas, & One-Off Shows
Def Leppard are an English rock band who continue to dominate every stage they step onto. The band's popularity with heavy metal, hard rock, and glam rock fans across the world made them one of the most influential groups of their time. Not to mention they sound incredible live nearly 50 years after their formation.
They aren't on an official tour this year, but they're booked and busy enough from May 15 to August 31 that it'd be irresponsible not to mention them. The rockers are set to appear at various music festivals, state fairs, and one-off performances across North America in the warmer months to come, including Ottawa Bluesfest, Rockin' Thunder in Winnipeg (also featuring Joan Jett, Foreigner, and Toque), and Boardwalk Rock 2025 in Ocean City, MD. You won't want to miss the chance to catch them this year.
Tickets and more information can be found on Def Leppard's official website.
7 Duran Duran
European Tour
Duran Duran are another English band, this time in the pop rock genre, who consistently boast rave reviews from concert-goers. If you're looking for your next concert, and happen to find yourself in Europe this summer, look no further than the band of "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Girls on Film" fame.
For just over a month, from June 3 to July 9, Duran Duran will be everywhere from Denmark and Italy to and Spain. I'm sure you've been debating whether to book that spontaneously well-thought-out summer vacation you've always dreamed of. Why not make that trip even more unforgettable by adding a concert to your schedule?
Tickets and more information can be found on Duran Duran's official website.
6 Benatar Giraldo
North American Tour
Another consistently touring act from the '80s is Pat Benatar. As a rock 'n roll legend in her own right, Benatar is setting out on another collaborative tour with her husband, Neil Giraldo, something the couple has been doing every summer for years. With their 38th anniversary approaching this year, the couple still adore hitting the road together to play for hundreds of thousands of fans of all ages.
This year's string of shows begins in Palm Springs, CA on April 11, and ends on September 11 in Louisville, KY. Along the way, they'll hit cities like Albany, NY, Niagra Falls, ON, and Tulsa, OK, making them a must-see concert no matter where you reside.
Tickets and more information can be found on Benatar Giraldo's official website.
5 Simple Minds
Alive & Kicking Tour With Soft Cell & Modern English
If you're looking for a collaborative tour featuring some of the UK's most talented musicians, you might want to consider Simple Minds' Alive & Kicking Tour. The Scottish rock band is ed by England's own Soft Cell and Modern English on their tour across North America, which marks forty years since the release of Simple Minds' seminal album Once Upon a Time. This tour also marks the band's largest run of shows across North America in forty years.
The trio of '80s icons will visit amphitheaters and areas across North America starting on May 16 in Ridgefield, WA. Before their final stop in Noblesville, IN on June 22, they'll also visit Denver, CO, Chula Vista, CA, and Toronto, ON, as well as many more in the early summer months. Don't miss your chance to in on what is sure to be an iconic performance of such songs as "Tainted Love," "I Melt With You," and "Don't You (Forget About Me)."
Tickets and more information can be found on Simple Minds' official website.
4 Billy Idol
It's A Nice Day To... Tour Again!
Another renowned solo artist from the '80s is Billy Idol. With hit songs including "Rebel Yell" and "White Wedding," Idol is an artist who thrives on the stage. The English singer has remained incredibly active throughout the years, continuing to garner new fans along with appreciating those who have been there from the beginning. His It's A Nice Day To... Tour Again! shows will meet fans across North America and Europe.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts are ing him on the road, so if you weren't already racing to buy your tickets, you might be doing so now. The duo will begin their tour on April 30 in Phoenix, AZ and end on September 25 in Inglewood, CA, hitting such cities as Copenhagen, Munich, and Toronto along the way. $5 from every ticket sold to their final show at the KIA Forum will be donated to the American Red Cross to Southern California Wildfire Relief in light of the devastating wildfires.
Tickets and more information can be found on Idol's official website.
3 Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD)
North American Tour
When you think of the first '80s bands and solo acts that come to mind, OMD might not be on that list. However, one listen of their songs "Enola Gay" and "If You Leave" will drop you right into the world of MTV's peak. They're another band who has recently been regarded as one who still sounds just as great as they did back in the day. The English electronic band is embarking on a North American tour this spring/summer that you won't want to miss.
While not directly connected to the tour, OMD will start their schedule with an appearance at Cruel World in Pasadena, CA. After that, they'll see cities such as Chicago, IL, Boston, MA, and Vancouver, BC, Canada until the tour's finale on July 8 at NYC's Terminal 5.
Tickets and more information can be found on OMD's official website.
2 The Cure
Unannounced World Tour
Don't get too excited. Last year, English alt-rock band The Cure released their 14th studio album and first release of new material in 16 years, Songs of a Lost World, to critical acclaim. With the band's 50th anniversary coming up in 2026, and a supposed two more albums in the works, it's likely that fans can expect to see them on tour again sooner rather than later.
In a 2024 interview covered by NME, The Cure's frontman Robert Smith stated that they have another album that's "virtually finished," with a third new album also on the way. Smith then said that he'd like to finish one of those albums before hitting the road again. Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement later this year.
"We’ll start up again next year. Seriously, I have to finish the second album. We were going to play festivals next year, but then I decided that we weren’t going to play anything next summer. The next time we go out on stage will be autumn next year." - Robert Smith
Sign up for updates about future tours on The Cure's official website.
1 The 80s Cruise
The Ultimate 80s Party 10-Year Anniversary
The last entry on this list is technically not an event happening this year. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, The 80s Cruise is a staple event in the lives of those whose interests align somewhere between '80s music and a cruise vacation. This event takes place over the span of seven days at the beginning of the year, with this year's falling at the beginning of March. If you want to plan ahead, however, the 2026 80s Cruise falls on the week of February 27 to March 6, an all-inclusive event with a stacked lineup and plenty of opportunities for relaxation.
Next year's lineup includes Bret Michaels, Billy Ocean, Taylor Dayne, and Glass Tiger, to name just a few. It will be hosted by MTV VJs Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Downtown Julie Brown to keep the energy up. The ship will sail from Port Canaveral and make stops in Nassau, Falmoth, and Labadee.
To book your trip and learn more, check out The 80s Cruise official website.
Source: NME