Back on April 18, on a whim, I went to see Thomas Dolby at Grewal Hall in Lansing. Going into the concert, my knowledge of Dolby was minimal. I’ve grown up getting his “She Blinded Me with Science” confused with Oingo Boingo’s “Weird Science,” and only occasionally hearing his music on MTV’s I Want My 80s.
I was prepared to go into this concert just showing up for a good time. I knew I wouldn’t know many of the songs, and it would be fun just for the vibes. However, what I thought I knew turned out to be completely wrong.
What I wasn’t prepared for going into this concert was being completely in awe the entirety of the show. Dolby didn’t primarily play his songs. Before he came on stage, it was announced that we would not be allowed to record any parts of the show.
When Dolby walked on stage, instead of starting with one of his own songs, he threw the well-known synth intro of New Order’s “Blue Monday” at us. Dolby, or Professor Dolby as he was announced, afterwards explained that the show was not going to be a performance of strictly his music, but more a celebration of the music of the 80s.
Thomas Dolby is currently a professor at Johns Hopkins University. Before the true show began, he explained to us that many of his students relate to his love for the 80s, claiming they love songs such as “Video Killed the Radio Star,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” or “Material Girl.” Although these songs are excellent too, Dolby wanted to find a way to provide his view of the 80s to those who weren’t there. This led to his idea for the show — a symphonic compilation/medley of music from the 80s built to encapsulate more of the decade than just the Top 40 Hits.
Although this show didn’t have the symphonic accompaniment that Dolby hopes to have in the future, the band was still star-studded and immensely talented. What drew me to this show leading up to it was Dolby’s bassist, a.k.a David Bowie’s old bassist, Gail Ann Dorsey. She opened the show, playing many of her solo songs and ending with Bowie’s “Space Oddity” so we could all sing along.
Moving into the show itself, there was never a moment where I wasn’t completely blown away. Dolby’s choices from the 80’s are all expertly blended and melded together to make the experience nothing short of pure 80s bliss. I spent the entirety of the show wondering what song he would play next, hoping it would never end.
Between movements, Dolby would pause to share anecdotal moments from his past that connect to the next portion. One of the most memorable was a story from his twenties about how he didn’t really have anyone where he was in California, so he called Michael Jackson and got an invite over to his place. Funny thing about this story, it was the one he told in between the “Little Red Corvette” and “Billie Jean” portions.
One of my absolute favorite moments from the show was at the end of the second movement when Dolby and his band played a wonderful blend of Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place” and Dolby’s own “I Love You Goodbye.” What was special, for me, about this portion was how the songs worked together. “This Must Be The Place” is one of my favorite Talking Heads songs, and I’ve grown up surrounded by it. “I Love You Goodbye,” however, is a song I had never heard before. I’ve since found myself obsessively listening to that song while reminiscing on my time with Dolby.
Now, I don’t want to spoil the movements too much, so moving into the encore of the show, we reach my biggest teary moment. If you know me, you know I absolutely adore David Bowie. Going into the encore, Dolby told a story of his time in a helicopter with Bowie before his Live Aid performance. This story was paired with visuals of this day and that classic “Heroes” instrumental we all likely know. I was, of course, reduced to nothing but tears this entire time, adorned in my “I still miss David Bowie shirt.”
Ending the show, Dolby finished off with his song “Airwaves,” thankfully giving me enough time to compose myself before the show finished. Overall, this show was something I could have never been prepared for. It was a testament to the magic of music, and I continuously found myself in awe of both the music itself and the connection it gives us all as fans.
I found myself leaving this show thinking three things:
1 – The 80s truly did have some of the best music we have ever been fortunate enough to listen to.
2 – It’s always remarkable to see how music can bring us together. It can bring together generations, connect so many ideas and bring us all a sense of belonging and togetherness.
3 – When can I go back?
