The 1980s brought some of the best music of the 20th century to the world.
Although the decade of excess ended over 32 years ago, many of the biggest bands that grew up in the MTV era, like Sting, Duran Duran and Blondie, are still touring in 2022.
If you’re hoping to hear some of your favorite tracks from yesteryear live, here’s a list of the top 50 bands from all genres you can catch live this year.
(Note: NJ.com readers using Vivid Seats for the first time can get $20 off ticket orders over $200 with promo code NJ20 at the register.)
“Future Past Tour” by Duran Duran featuring Nile Rodgers and Chic
From August 19 to September 11
Buy your tickets here.
“Against the Odds Tour” by Blondie featuring The Damned
May 15 to August 27
Buy your tickets here.
“My Songs Tour” by Sting
From May 13 to September 16
Buy your tickets here.
Tears for Fears Tipping Point Tour with Garbage
From May 20 to June 25
Buy your tickets here.
The B-52 Farewell Tour with KC and the Sunshine Band and The Tubes on select dates
From August 22 to November 13
Buy your tickets here.
Elvis Costello
From August 4 to September 2
Buy your tickets here.
“Made of Rain Tour” by Psychedelic Furs
May 12 to August 12
Buy your tickets here.
Boy George and Cultural Club
From June 1 to September 1
Buy your tickets here.
Orchestral maneuvers in the dark
May 12 to 26
Buy your tickets here.
“Joy Division: A Celebration Tour” by Peter Hook and The Light
From August 11 to September 14
Buy your tickets here.
“Got Back Tour” by Paul McCartney
From May 13 to June 16
Buy your tickets here.
“Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour” by Elton John
From June 24 to November 20
Buy your tickets here.
Billy Joel “In Concert”
From May 14 to October 9
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The Who’s “The Who fought back! To visit!”
From May 13 to November 5
Buy your tickets here.
Stevie Nicks
From May 14 to September 30
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“This is not an exercise tour” by Roger Waters
From July 6 to October 8
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Journey’s “Freedom Tower”
From July 15 to August 8
Buy your tickets here.
Ann Wilson of heart
From June 10 to September 4
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John Fogerty
From May 21 to November 19
Buy your tickets here.
billy idol
From June 18 to August 25
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Aerosmith’s “Deuces Are Wild” Tour
From June 17 to December 11
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The Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 World Tour featuring The Strokes, Thundercat, St. Vincent and more on select dates
From July 23 to September 18
Buy your tickets here.
REO Speedwagon’s “Live and UnZoomed” Tour with Styx and Loverboy
From May 31 to September 18
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Styx featuring Nancy Wilson of Heart
From May 31 to October 18
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Kenny Connections
From May 21 to December 15
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Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
From May 22 to September 2
Buy your tickets here.
Chicago with Brian Wilson
From May 13 to September 17, 2023
Buy your tickets here.
Phishing
From May 27 to September 4
Buy your tickets here.
Violent Femmes with Deap Vally, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Bhi Bhiman and The Breeders on select dates
From May 14 to October 1
Buy your tickets here.
Pet Shop Boys “Unity Tour” with New Order
From September 17 to October 16
Buy your tickets here.
Daryl Hall’s “BeforeAfter Tour” with Todd Rundgren and John Oates on select dates
From May 12 to October 22
Buy your tickets here.
New Kids on the Block’s “Mixtape 2022” Tour Featuring Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue and Rick Astley
May 12 to August 7
Buy your tickets here.
Morrissey
May 12 to July 9
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Rod Stewart with Cheap Trick
From May 13 to November 25
Buy your tickets here.
Rick Springfield with Men At Work and John Waite on select dates
From May 28 to September 2
Buy your tickets here.
Iron Maiden’s “Legacy of the Beast” Tour with Trivium and Within Temptation
From September 7 to October 27
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Mötley Crüe with Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
From June 16 to September 9
Buy your tickets here.
ZZ Top’s “Raw Whiskey Tour” featuring Cheap Trick
May 13 to August 28
Buy your tickets here.
Metallic
May 27 to August 14
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Scorpions and Whitesnake
From August 17 to October 21
Buy your tickets here.
Sammy Hagar and The Circle’s “Crazy Times” Tour with George Thorogood and the Destroyers
From June 10 to October 1
Buy your tickets here.
Lionel Richie
From June 24 to October 22
Buy your tickets here.
Kool and the gang
From June 3 to May 6, 2023
Buy your tickets here.
Dead Kennedys with Nekromantix and The Venomous Pinks
From June 8 to 19
Buy your tickets here.
The cult
July 8 to 30
Buy your tickets here.
Ice Cube
From May 14 to September 18
Buy your tickets here.
Alabama
From May 13 to November 5
Buy your tickets here.
Kenny G.
May 13 to July 11
Buy your tickets here.
Melissa Etheridge
From May 30 to September 21
Buy your tickets here.
“The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Indulgent and Misguided Vanity Tour” by Weird Al with Emo Phillips
May 13 to October 29
Buy your tickets here.
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Matt Levy covers the entertainment industry live, writing about upcoming concerts, festivals, shows and events. He can be reached at [email protected].
