I’m not a huge cover song fan, much less tribute acts. But the band 80s kids are up to something more here than merely playing hits to an aging and nostalgic crowd. They are telling a story, of which the music is a part. A big part, but just a part. The songs are intertwined with memories, sure, but the context of the songs with real lives are what this is about. The stories they tell about growing up in the age of Reagan, living and coming of age in the MTV era, are not just “wow we had it great then, I wish we were young!” nostalgia. They are drawing a line between youthful enthusiasm and hope, with today, and how to remain engaged and hopeful, not giving up because you are different, older, with more responsibility and experience. You have one life. It’s part of the same life you had then. Only now you have years of wisdom to draw on. Build on. And years to go before you sleep.
Jamie Hill and Shannon Curtis have extensively toured and performed with other groups, but prefer this: traveling the world together, building your audience and business on your own terms. It’s been hard, and they are not afraid of that. They are genuine and true, and are committed to this show and are brilliant and open, friendly and open to connection.
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SET LIST
01. Take On Me — a-ha
02. Wouldn’t it Be Good — Nik Kershaw, via Danny Hutton Hitters (Pretty in Pink soundtrack)
03. A Little Respect — Erasure
04. The Boys of Summer — Don Henley
05. Shout — Tears for Fears
06. West End Girls — Pet Shop Boys
07. Bizarre Love Triangle — New Order
08. Tainted Love — Soft Cell
09. Against All Odds — Phil Collins
10. Don’t You Want Me — The Human League
11. (I Just) Died In Your Arms — Cutting Crew
12. Dancing in the Dark — Bruce Springsteen
13. A Question of Lust — Depeche Mode
14. We Belong — Pat Benatar
15. If You Leave — OMD
16. Forever Young — Alphaville
Shannon is an incredible front person and great vocalist. Jamie is a wonderful producer, musician and foil for Shannon onstage, and in the studio, and in the car, driving themselves and their equipment to the next show. Before the show Jamie will greet people in the audience, and thank them for being there, and after the show, they are both open and available, talking to people, making the connections, and listening to their stories. They set up a backdrop near the merch table for people to use as a background for photos, like the prom, except that you want to be there.
“The touring logistics are IDEAL. it always brings the experience an element of “I’m driving around the country with my sweetie” that we never don’t adore. we are so grateful that we get to do this with each other. we’ve each toured extensively *without* the other, which is completely different and much harder, so we don’t take it for granted!” -Jamie Hill
This is real for them, a cottage industry on tour, a family business in a car, the show a true reflection of joy. They are in. All in. It’s not just a collection of nostalgic nods to our collective history, it means something. The show has an arc. It goes in the same order every show, the vocals are live, and the stories in between contribute to the whole, scripted like a theater show. They are telling a story that is a balm for the soul.
The versions they play are faithful to the originals. They don’t fall into the trap of “reimagining” the material. It doesn’t need to be spun in one way or another. They just are what they are, and even though the versions are faithful, the passion is real. For us, and for the performer.
To Be Continued
It’s coming up on a year since I saw them, and 6 months since I finished most of this. It’s past time to publish it. 80s kids 2 is almost out! They are going on a nationwide tour again! Go and see their show. You will not be disappointed.
Nothing I’ve learned about them in our interactions since then has changed my opinion of them, and their music. In fact, it has only deepened. Jamie and Shannon are lovely people, very talented, full of optimism at the ability to overcome with the power of music, belief in the songs that are deeply imbedded in the neural network of those who came of age pre-internet. Or, to those of us who navigated our Twenties with these songs as a soundtrack at the club as well. We were all kids, after all. These songs have meaning, substance that speaks to us, and listeners are encouraged to overcome their discouragement at how things are going by remembering what it was like to have hope, and applying that feeling to their lives now. This music is there to help, no matter your age. Everyone can sing along. Let yourself go.
Wouldn’t It Be Good?
To see and hear more of Shannon Curtis, please GO HERE!! Shannon Curtis website
Shannon and Jamie have a long history, of original songs and music, and all of it is worth listening to. Start with Good To Me, and go from there. She is an intentional artist with a long discography and she is always creating. Always.
Jamie is an integral part of all of this. An artist in his own right, he is a producer, collaborator, engineer and musician, with sympathetic ears and the best intentions. To check out his work GO HERE—> DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT WEBSITE
For 80s kids information (tour, tickets, music, etc.) GO HERE 80s kids WEBSITE
Tickets, merch (t-shirts, totes, books, albums, downloads, etc, etc.) all available at the 80s kids website. Listen to samples of the upcoming 80s kids 2 album. They will release a song a week on the website up until they leave to go on the 80s kids 2 nationwide tour.
See you at the Lounge At The End Of The Universe in Boise. 30 May, 2026
Man, that set list…
John, I can't tell you how much this touches both me and Jamie — thank you, friend. ♥️