The B-52’s, continuing the celebration of their 40th anniversary, have begun a worldwide tour that is expected to cover more than 10 countries and will include a headlining North American summer tour.
Also, this summer marks the 30th anniversary of the band’s album Cosmic Thing that features newly remastered sound, B-sides, remixes and unreleased concert recordings from 1990’s Cosmic Tour.
On June 28 – one day after the album’s official 30th anniversary – Rhino released Cosmic Thing: 30th Anniversary Edition. The two-disc set is accompanied by a booklet that includes liner notes from journalist and author T. Cole Rachel, song lyrics and unseen photos of the band from that time period.
The Cosmic Thing anniversary edition opens with a newly remastered version of the original album, which was recorded by Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Keith Strickland, and co-produced by Nile Rodgers and Don Was. Along with the original album, the two-disc set also includes five newly remastered bonus tracks that spotlight B-sides and remixes like “B-52’s Megamix” and “Roam” (Extended Remix).
The B-52’s scored a pair of #3 pop hits with 1989’s “Love Shack” and 1990’s “Roam.” But they made their mark with “Rock Lobster,” which was on their 1979 self-titled debut.
From the tour announcement: “In 2018, The B-52’s began their 40th anniversary celebration in style, co-headlining a massively successful American tour with Culture Club and Thompson Twins, taking over venues across the country.”
Full tour dates are below, with more expected to be added. OMD and Berlin will support on select North American dates.
Watch the B-52’s perform “Planet Claire” on May 12 at Kaaboo Texas
Related: 10 songs that defined new wave music
Continuing the anniversary celebration, Da Capo Press/Hachette Books has announced plans to publish the first-ever official history of the band in 2020. Meanwhile, the B-52’s have joined forces with Executive Producer Fred Armisen and Director Craig Johnson to develop an authorized documentary film of the group.
B-52’s 40th Anniversary Tour Dates (Tickets are available here)
June 29 Gateshead Sage, UK Gateshead Sage**^
June 30 London, UK Eventim Apollo**^
July 2 Nottingham, UK Royal Concert Hall**^
July 3 Manchester, UK O2 Apollo**^
July 5 Paris, France Olympia**^
July 7 Argeles Sur Me, France Festival les Deferlantes*^
Jul 26 – Asheville, NC – Biltmore House & Gardens
August 1 Costa Mesa, CA Pacific Amphitheatre**
August 3 San Diego, CA Bayside Summer Nights @ Embarcadero Marina Park**
August 4 Los Angeles, CA Microsoft Theater
August 6 Portland, OR Oregon Zoo Amphitheater
August 7 Seattle, WA BECU ZooTunes Concert Series
August 8 Missoula, MT Kettlehouse Amphitheater
August 10 Bend, OR Les Schwab Amphitheater
August 11 Murphys, CA Ironstone Amphitheatre
August 12 Saratoga, CA TheMountain Winery
August 14 Phoenix, AZ Comerica Theatre
August 16 Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
August 17 Dillon, CO Dillon Amphitheater**
August 18 Greenwood Village, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Aug 20 – Grand Prairie, TX – The Theatre at Grand Prairie
August 21 San Antonio, TX The Majestic Theater
August 22 Austin, TX Bass Concert Hall
August 24 Sugarland, TX Smart Financial Centre
August 25 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre
August 28 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
August 29 Ft Lauderdale Fl Broward Center Theater
September 6 Greensboro, NC White Oak Amphitheatre at Greensboro Coliseum Complex
September 7 Atlanta, GA Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
September 8 Huber Heights, OH Rose Music Center at the Heights
September 11 Grand Rapids, MI Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens
September 13 Toronto, ONT, CA Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
September 14 Detroit, MI Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
September 17 Washington, DC The Anthem
September 19 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for the Performing Arts
September 20 Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Resort Casino – Grand Theater
September 22 Asbury Park, NJ Sea.Hear.Now Festival*
September 24 New York, NY Summerstage – Central Park
Nov 16-17 – Mexico City, Mexico – Festival Corona Capital
All dates are with The B52’s, OMD and Berlin unless noted below
*Festival Date
^European Tour
**Headline Date
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