Thomas Dolby with Tom Bailey, Bow Wow Wow, and more

Formed in London in 1980 by Malcolm McLaren, Bow Wow Wow, featuring Annabella Lwin, is known for hits like "I Want Candy." Their new wave style blends punk, pop, and African rhythms. The band's two albums secured their pop history, with highlights including "Go Wild in the Country." They influenced music piracy culture with the cassette single "C·30 C·60 C·90 Go!" and worked with notable figures like Boy George. Disbanding in 1983, the band reunited for tours, impacting the music scene with their lively performances and distinctive style.

Detroit’s power pop band the Romantics rose in the late ’70s with hits like “Talking in Your Sleep.” Known for high-energy sound, retro style, and MTV favorites like “What I Like About You.”

Men Without Hats, led by founders Ivan and Colin Doroschuk, are new wave electro-pop pioneers known for hits like "The Safety Dance" and "Pop Goes The World," both in the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. They blend analog synths with modern tech and have toured globally with 80’s icons, gaining new fans across generations.