Place Bell went back in time last night as ‘Totally Tubular’ – a festival filled with 1980’s bands, landed keyboards – first in Laval.

In the 1980’s, record companies and video programs realized that a lot of money was to be made. The entire decade became the ‘hit of the moment’ rather than the flavor of the month. The bands came fast and furious and the ‘powers that were‘ picked the best song from each and cranked the tunes out faster than a woman giving birth to sextuplets. ‘One hit wonders’ became the flavor of the decade even though some of the bands’ catalogs were quite good. A few of the bands who defined 80’s high school dances – were on hand last night.

The Plimsouls’ Eddie Munoz, Tommy Tutone, Bow Wow Wow, Wang Chung, Modern English, Men Without Hats, Thompson Twins and Thomas Dolby took turns delivering memories for most and reality for all.

Listening to the hits from each band in 2024 immediately delivers a person to a moment in 80’s time. It could have been a first kiss while the Thompson Twins’ song ‘Hold Me Now’ played on the car radio. Maybe a funny dance to Men Without Hats’ ‘Safety Dance’. Thomas Dolby’s ‘She Blinded Me With Science’ – a song played in the aftermath of a chemistry class gone wrong? Smiles, sadness and all sorts of emotions were as loud in people’s heads last night as the cheers were in Place Bell. The ‘Totally Tubular’ line – up titillated and teased the crowd.

The concept of an 80’s Festival is great for both the fans and the bands involved. Unable to fill arenas or stadiums on prolonged tours individually any longer – the Festival puts revenue in the band’s pockets and allows the artists to continue performing and writing new tunes. It also keeps the hits fresh to older generations and new to fresher generations. ‘Totally Tubular’ reminds everyone that once upon a time – music was fun. It was colorful and light. It was innocent.

Time travel is ‘real‘ in the movies. Eighties’ songs were ‘real‘ in the movies. The film ‘Back to the Future’ had two sequels and now, the 80’s has one. Marty? Doc? Any advice ?

Information for Chris Birkett and Cinema 5 August 10th Here.

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