Created back in 2024, Totally Tubular Festival, the acclaimed multi-act 80s’s extravaganza returns for another summertime US tour. Totally Tubular Festival’s third edition will launch July 17, 2026 in Phoenix and wrap up August 16, 2026 in Aurora, IL. Earlier this year, Totally Tubular Festival organizers announced the lineup for this year’s third edition, which was going to feature Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock of Seagulls, The Motels, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club and Tommy Tutone.
Today, the event’s organizers announced a lineup change as a result of the unfortunate cancellation of The Motels.
“The Motels regret that they must cancel their appearances on the Totally Tubular Festival this summer,” the band says in a their statement regarding the cancellation. “Singer/founder Martha Davis needs time to heal from a recent medical procedure. Martha is expected to make a full recovery but must take the summer off.”
The band’s frontperson and founder adds, ““It breaks my heart to have to cancel The Motels part in the Totally Tubular Tour this summer. The band and I were looking forward to it big time! But the doctors have some unfinished business with me, so I must comply. But don’t worry, ‘I’ll be back!” I love you all, It will be a great show, so go, have fun, and I’ll meet up with you later…love…m.”
“I look forward to welcoming The Motels back on Totally Tubular Festival dates soon, as the magic of Martha Davis cannot be contained! Festival creator Jon Pleeter says. “We will all miss Martha this summer, but look forward to seeing her back on stage soon.”
Bow Wow Wow will replace The Motels starting in Phoenix on July 17, 2026 through the July 26, 2026 show in Salt Lake City. Men Without Hats will replace The Motels from the August 7, 2026 in Washington, DC through the end of the run, August 16, 2026 in Aurora, IL.
Just to refresh your memory reader, the festival’s third edition will mark the first time that Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People have performed together since 1988. Their last show together was opening for Depeche Mode at the Rose Bowl. The tour also marks the first time that The Producers’ original lineup have toured the States together in over 25 years.
Much like in the festival’s previous editions, the acts performing at the 2026 edition of Totally Tubular Festival exploded into the pop culture zeitgeist in the 1980s as a result of the high rotation of their music videos on MTV. Their music has had a lasting impact and influence, but in the recent years they’ve seen a rise in popularity.
“Totally Tubular Festival has clearly emerged in just two years as the market leader for all 80’s tours in North America, not to mention Totally Tubular is hands down the best 80’s party on the planet,” Jon Pleeter, the festival’s creator says. “For all of the fans of 80’s new wave music, the Tubular circus is coming to town—we’ll see you this summer.”
“The current 80s music revival is more than just a walk down memory lane for those of us that were actually there,” Thomas Dolby says. “Because those born after the 80s are discovering the treasure trove of fresh musical ideas that exploded onto the scene in the heyday of MTV and KROQ. And the huge influence we had on everything that came after.”
“The Totally Tubular Festival invites the audience into a unique experience with hitmakers from the 80s. Every artist on the bill brings hit songs that spark fond memories,” Animotion’s Bill Wadhams says. “After the show, fans tell us stories of where they were and what they were doing when they first heard the song ‘Obsession.‘ Then they introduce us to the next generation—the sons and daughters they brought to the show. The Totally Tubular Festival is a wonderful shared experience for both the audience and the artists.”
“The 80s gave us some great songs that stand the test of time. It’s great to play to audiences, young and old who sing the words along with us,” The Escape Club’s Trevor Steel says.
“I can’t tell you how many multigenerational families come to see us play on a fairly regular basis. It’s pretty encouraging when the kids of the folks you played for in the 80s are seriously into your music and sharing it with their friends,” The Producers say. “Sure it’s nostalgic for some people, but there’s nothing wrong with that because what they experienced in their youth was authentic and groundbreaking.”
“1980’s music = Fun. It’s all about the catchy melodies, feel-good nature of the music, fun quirky lyrics, and never taking one’s self too seriously,” Tommy Tutone’s Jimmy James adds. “Whether it was Pop, Metal, New Wave, Country, etc., 80’s music was about having fun. Just look at the 80’s fashions. 80’s music was also produced at the peak of creative analog mixing. It has a warmth, power, and freshness to it; that has since been replaced with conformity.”
The 2026 tour comes on the heels of a hugely successful holiday tour of the Northeast. This year’s trek will hit 15 markets, including Denver, San Francisco, Anaheim, Hollywood, Las Vegas, New Town, ND, Washington, DC, Atlantic City, Louisville, St. Petersburg, Huber Heights, OH and an August 9, 2026 stop at Pier 17.
The TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL 2026 shows are:
| DATE | LOCATION | VENUE |
| Friday, July 17 | Phoenix, AZ | Celebrity Theatre |
| Sunday, July 19 | Denver, CO | Mission Ballroom |
| Wednesday, July 22 | San Francisco, CA | The Castro |
| Thursday, July 23 | Anaheim, CA | House Of Blues |
| Friday, July 24 | Hollywood, CA | Hollywood Palladium |
| Saturday, July 25 | Las Vegas | SAHARA Las Vegas |
| Sunday, July 26 | Salt Lake City, UT | Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre |
| Saturday, August 1 | New Town, ND | 4 Bears Casino |
| Friday, August 7 | Washington DC | Warner Theatre |
| Saturday, August 8 | Atlantic City, NJ | Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena |
| Sunday, August 9 | New York, NY | Pier 17 |
| Wednesday, August 12 | St. Petersburg, FL | Ferg’s Pavilion |
| Friday, August 14 | Louisville, KY | Iroquios Amphitheatre |
| Saturday, August 15 | Huber Heights, OH | Rose Music Center @ The Heights |
| Sunday, August 16 | Aurora, IL | RiverEdge Park |
__
The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 15+ year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have.
To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work.
I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.
Make a one-time donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
If you can give more regularly, please feel free to check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement.
Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all.
I know that a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain and tumultuous economic climate. So there are other, non-financial ways in which you can support this work.
You can follow me on the following social platforms:
X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent
Instagram: @william_ruben_helms
Threads: @william_ruben_helms
Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement
As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.
Discover more from The Joy of Violent Movement
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.