Posted on by James Kampas

A Harder Gary Numan

April 4, 2026 – Highlights from Gary Numan at Pappy & Harriet’s.

Last night was one of those concerts that far exceeded my expectations and left me appreciating the artist even more. The show took place at Pappy & Harriet’s, which added an extra layer of magic to the evening. I’ve always liked Gary Numan’s ’80s work, and I own a few of his albums: Replicas (with Tubeway Army) and his first solo release, The Pleasure Principle. But I had no idea his sound had evolved into something so much heavier and more industrial—think Nine Inch Nails—than those earlier records.

By the end of the night, I left feeling energized and inspired—reminded that great artists can keep evolving and surprising us, even decades into their careers. Gary Numan isn’t just an ’80s icon; he’s still pushing boundaries and making music that hits hard in the here and now.

Posted on by James Kampas

Good Karma with Culture Club

March 14, 2026 – Culture Club and friends perform “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” at The Show.

Through much of the 1980s, I managed several Sound Warehouse Music and Videos stores in Houston, TX. A perk of the job was getting to see (and frequently meet) pretty much any band on a major label that came to town. One of the few ’80s bands I didn’t catch back then was Culture Club. Last night, I finally saw them perform at The Show in Rancho Mirage, where a large and enthusiastic crowd cheered them on throughout the evening.

I wasn’t sure what to expect—not all ’80s bands can still deliver as well as they once did—but Culture Club didn’t disappoint. They were energetic and incredibly fun. They knocked out some of their classic hits and did great covers of songs by The Clash, David Bowie, T. Rex, and Prince. I was pleasantly surprised by Boy George’s constant interaction with the audience. Seeing them live after all these years was a perfect reminder that great music doesn’t just hold up—it evolves, and it’s still just as much fun as it was back in the day. Well, maybe not quite as much fun.