LEWISTON, N.Y. — The cultural landscape of Western New York is set for a major dose of 1980s nostalgia as Artpark recently unveiled a star-studded addition to its upcoming summer concert series. Legendary synth-pop pioneer Howard Jones will headline the “Things Can Only Get Better Tour,” bringing a wave of iconic hits to the Lewiston stage on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
For those who grew up with the sounds of the eighties, the bill serves as a definitive playlist of the era. Howard Jones, widely recognized for his chart-topping tracks “What Is Love,” “No One Is To Blame,” and the tour’s titular anthem, “Things Can Only Get Better,” continues to be a driving force in the electronic pop genre.
As part of Lake Erie Times’ ongoing coverage of the regional arts and entertainment scene, this announcement highlights the continued draw of the Lewiston waterfront for major international tours. The evening’s lineup is rounded out by a deep roster of influential acts, including Wang Chung (“Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” “Dance Hall Days”), The English Beat (“Save It For Later”), and Modern English, best known for the timeless “I Melt With You.”
The concert is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., offering a full evening of music against the backdrop of the Niagara Gorge. This addition follows closely on the heels of the recent announcement that Gov’t Mule, featuring JJ Grey & Mofro, will also be performing at the venue earlier that month on Aug. 6.
Upcoming Artpark 2026 Concert Schedule
From roots rock to symphonic tributes, the 2026 season at Artpark offers one of the most diverse lineups in recent years. Our reporting at Lake Erie Times aims to keep the community connected to these major local events. Below is the current schedule of performances announced to date:
| Date | Performer(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| May 28 | Elmo’s Got the Moves | 6 p.m. |
| May 29 | Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen | 8 p.m. |
| June 16 | AVTT/PTTN (Avett Brothers and Mike Patton) | 8 p.m. |
| July 10 | Femmes of Rock | 7 p.m. |
| July 11 | Ziggy Marley | 7 p.m. |
| July 14 | Sarah McLachlan | 7:30 p.m. |
| July 15 | Blackberry Smoke | 6:30 p.m. |
| July 30 | Cole Swindell | 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 4 | Tori Amos with Bartees Strange | 7:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 6 | Gov’t Mule with JJ Grey & Mofro | 6:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 12 | Howard Jones, Wang Chung, The English Beat, and Modern English | 6 p.m. |
| Aug. 14 | Turnpike Troubadours | 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 21 | Andy Grammer | 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 26 | The Rock Orchestra | 8 p.m. |
| Sept. 2 | Sierra Ferrell | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 12 | O.A.R. with Gavin DeGraw & KT Tunstall | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 22 | Ray LaMontagne with The Weather Station | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 29 | Charley Crockett with Durand Jones & The Indications | 7:30 p.m. |
Tickets for the summer series are available via the official Artpark website and Ticketmaster. As a reminder to our readers, ticket prices vary by performance and seating preference.
About the Author: William Strasmore is a dedicated news reporter for Lake Erie Times, providing in-depth coverage of community affairs, local politics, and regional events throughout Western New York.
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