It’s a Friday night somewhere in Britain, and the lights are dimming. There’s a man in a blazer on stage with a grin that says he knows something you don’t. A synth line swells, someone in neon legwarmers cheers, and the unmistakable voice of Gary Davies—BBC Radio 2’s Sounds of the 80s DJ and once-prince of Top of the Pops—cuts through the speakers. “Let’s rewind to the greatest decade of them all!”

This is Kick Up the 80s, the live touring version of Davies’ hit radio show, and it's set to take over venues across the UK this autumn and winter. For fans of Duran Duran, Whitney, The Human League, and shoulder pads the size of satellite dishes, it’s less a gig and more a glitter-drenched time machine.

“The ’80s were the most memorable days of my life,” Gary says. “I helped pioneer so many records, and I still have huge love for what I think was the most creative decade in music.”

There’s no shortage of nostalgia tours these days, but Davies brings something else to the table: actual lived experience. He was there—in the booth, on the stage, in the control room—when these hits first blasted into pop culture. His sets don’t just replay the hits, they reframe them. Between tracks, he slips in stories from the decade, giving each night a feel somewhere between a gig, a party, and an audio documentary.

Fans are encouraged to go all out. Sequins, crimped hair, acid wash, shoulder pads—if it screamed 1986, it’s welcome here. “Dress up. Go big,” Davies laughs. “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

This year’s Kick Up the 80s tour hits Bath, Newcastle, Norwich, Chester, Barnsley and more, offering fans across the UK a night of celebration, connection, and throwback anthems that still slap in 2025. The vibe is part disco, part dancefloor, part reunion—and the energy is infectious.

So whether you're reliving your glory days or discovering why synth-pop still rules, Gary Davies has a place for you. Just make sure to bring your dancing shoes (and maybe a backup can of hairspray).

GARY DAVIES – KICK UP THE 80’s – Autumn / Winter 2025 UK Tour Dates include:

Friday 5^th September                 BATH – Komedia

Friday 10^th October                    NEWCASTLE – Wylam Brewery

Friday 17^th October                    BURY ST EDMUNDS – Apex

Friday 28^th November                 CHESTER – Live Rooms

Friday 5^th December                  NORWICH – Waterfront

Friday 12^th December                 BARNSLEY – Birdwell Venue

Tickets here.

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.