Tag:

40th

Helloween Announce 2026 North American 40th Anniversary Tour

by jummy84 November 3, 2025

written by jummy84

Veteran German power-metal band Helloween have fittingly chosen Halloween to announce the North American leg of their 40th anniversary world tour.

The Spring 2026 outing kicks off April 7th in Dallas, and runs through a May 2nd show in Las Vegas, hitting Atlanta, Boston, New York City, Montreal, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, and other major markets along the way. The tour will feature support from Finnish metal band Beast in Black.

Get Helloween Tickets Here

Full ticket details have not been announced as of yet, but it appears an artist pre-sale for select dates will begin Wednesday, November 5th, at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster, with a general on-sale starting Friday, November 7th, at 10 a.m. local time.

OMD’s ‘Crush’ Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary » PopMatters

by jummy84 October 31, 2025

written by jummy84

Crush: 40th Anniversary Edition

OMD

Virgin

17 October 2025

In 1988, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark served as the opening act for Depeche Mode‘s American tour. At one show, at Poplar Creek Music Theatre in Chicago, OMD’s singer Andy McCluskey lamented, “America is the only place we’re still cool.” This turn of events couldn’t have come as a complete surprise, though. In many ways, it was by design.

OMD’s third album, Architecture & Morality (1981), had been a worldwide smash. Since then, though, the synthpop pioneers had grown frustrated that they couldn’t maintain their level of commercial success. Furthermore, they were deeply indebted to their record label, Virgin. So, they set their sights on the US, where they were still very much an underground act. In the memoir Pretending to See the Future, McCluskey and bandmate Paul Humphreys make no bones about the fact that they wanted to “break America”.

The first step was to recruit an American producer, someone who could help finesse their sound for Top 40 radio. McCluskey and Humphreys chose Stephen Hague. Hague would soon enough become a synthpop Svengali, helping lead Pet Shop Boys, New Order, and Erasure to the promised land of American airplay and sales. At the time, however, he was relatively unknown, a former member of Jules Shear’s power pop band, Jules and the Polar Bears, whose biggest production client was the former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren.

The result of Hague’s and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s collaboration was Crush. Indeed, in terms of America, the mission was accomplished. The first single, “So in Love”, made the Top 40, as did Crush itself. Both were firsts for the band, but there was a significant trade-off. For many fans, especially in the UK, who were transfixed by Architecture & Morality and its forward-thinking predecessors, Crush was the beginning of OMD’s nadir. To them, it was a melodic yet vapid, catchy yet pandering sellout. Crush was the first OMD album since their 1980 debut to miss the UK Top Ten. It was their lowest-selling record to date there, as well.

Now, though, McCluskey and Humphreys can reintroduce Crush from a position of strength. Their reunion in 2006 has yielded a run of new material that, in large part, has righted the pop/art balance, leaving no question about OMD’s legacy as one of the most significant and groundbreaking bands of the last half-century. Among the titans in their catalog, Crush remains a junior proposition.

However, 40 years on, from the wonderful Edward Hopper-inspired cover art to the effortlessly melodic, surprisingly timeless music within, it is a self-contained, ultra-romantic package that both encapsulates and transcends the 1980s. Indeed, OMD had never sounded this sleek, this sexy, this cool before, nor would they again.

“So in Love” is a perfect representation of what Crush is all about. The driving beat, inside-out bassline, and luxuriously ethereal string synths set the stage for McCluskey’s mournfully wide-eyed baritone. It’s super-sleek, yes, but far from vapid. Instead, it is the rare 1980s pop single that is actually as debonair as it claims to be.

Similarly, each of the other nine songs on Crush unfolds like a vignette, with different stylistic approaches coming together to form a cohesive whole. That is where Hague is a strength. “Bloc Bloc Bloc” is jazzy and irresistibly hedonistic and nonsensical, while “Women III” examines the conflicted existence of a suburban housewife in biting yet sympathetic fashion: “One day she thinks of leaving him / The next she treats him like a king… / It’s a long way home / From where she’s come.” The music is suitably chilly and ambivalent—is that synth chorus defiant or mocking?

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark expand some boundaries on Crush, just not in the way most fans expected or hoped for. “88 Seconds in Greensboro”, about a deadly Ku Klux Klan attack in 1979, continues McCluskey’s penchant for history, but it also does away with the synths almost entirely, opting for a New Order-ish, guitar-bass-drums feel. “Hold You” is the most tender thing the band have ever recorded, nearly but not quite a straight-up love song. “La Femme Accident” is whimsical yet lovely chamber pop.

Even the remnants of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s early experimental days are evident on Crush. The title track, built on a sequence of samples from Japanese television, is odd and mesmerizing, as a down-on-love McCluskey curses the “fucking rain”.

This 40th anniversary reissue features some dated remixes, a handful of B-sides, and studio outtakes, all annotated by McCluskey. Hardcore fans will be curious, but only the even more tender demo version of “Hold You” is worth more than a listen. The vinyl version omits three outtakes from the CD, but that’s not a significant issue.

Especially in the 1980s, there were more than a few UK acts that aspired to “break America”, only to find themselves broken in the end. In the years following Crush, this fate would also befall OMD. Crush, though, takes on America in true world-class fashion.

October 31, 2025 0 comments

Music

Snapped: Seth Troxler’s 40th Birthday in Ibiza (A Photo Essay)

by jummy84 October 29, 2025

written by jummy84

What happens when artists, celebrities, industry tycoons, and a swarm of dance music aficionados fly into Ibiza to celebrate DJ, producer and cultural curator Seth Troxler’s 40th birthday? According to many, the event of the decade – and according to Seth’s long time friend Bill Patrick, absolute chaos.

The nonstop run of festivities started with a Circoloco show at DC10, where Seth did a b2b with Carl Craig, and red clown wigs and noses were handed out to all in attendance. After historic rains and flooding took the island by storm, the crew returned to form with a “Slim Aarons Palm Springs” themed party, featuring Carl Craig, Eric Duncan (Rub & Rug), Jonny Rock and Rob Mello on the decks.

“What can one say about themselves at 40? I made it — some of my friends are no longer here. I’ve experienced both the greatest pleasures and the deepest pains of my life. I think it’s the variety that makes this prison so welcoming and subversive. For years, I threw parties centered on excess. My 40th was no different — but here’s what I realized: when you have one of the biggest floods in Ibiza in recent history, the bright idea of getting 150 of my friends to trip at the same time, dressed like the Rat Pack meets Pee-wee Herman, was maybe a step too far. And yet, just like life itself, the party was a chaotic mix — something between The Truman Show and Gaspar Noé’s Climax, but styled after The B-52s.” -Seth Troxler

Special thanks to Bill Patrick for the images, who also happens to be the co-host of the podcast Flirting With Friendship alongside Seth. Bill’s story spans New York’s legendary nightlife scene, Berlin’s underground, and stages around the world.

“I’m thankful no one died, and that the show has been renewed for another season. Long live the mentalist, while also closing the chapter on a different time.” -Seth Troxler

October 29, 2025 0 comments

Celebrity News

Wayne Rooney dressed as Freddie Mercury in sexy leather skirt and heels at his early 40th birthday party

by jummy84 October 18, 2025

written by jummy84

18 October 2025

Wayne Rooney has recalled transforming into Freddie Mercury at his early 40th birthday bash.

Wayne Rooney dressed as Freddie Mercury during his early 40th birthday bash

The 39-year-old former professional football player danced around a vacuum while he donned sexy heels, a black leather skirt, a sleeveless skintight pink top, magenta earrings and a black wig, to mimic the late Queen frontman’s iconic look in the band’s 1984 video for I Want to Break Free.

Wayne then took to the karaoke, but the fun for his wife Coleen – who organised the luxurious weekend away with friends to a plush lakeside estate in the Cotswolds, West Oxfordshire – was short-lived as she tripped from her heels and broke her foot.

The sportsman – who turns 40 on October 24 – said on the latest episode of his The Wayne Rooney Show podcast: “It was great, one night was fancy dress. I was Freddie Mercury. I wore high heels, a black leather skirt, a skintight t-shirt tucked in, and a hoover.

“So I was walking round with a hoover, but my feet were intact. Coleen actually slipped in her heels and broke her foot.

“It was great [weekend]. And we had different bands coming out, singing and performing and stuff. And I got up, obviously, it was good fun.

“I obviously done Bohemian Rhapsody. Me and My Monkey by Robbie Williams – that’s my go-to song.”

Wayne’s comments come as a source previously said he was “in his element” as Freddie – who died from bronchial pneumonia caused by AIDS at the age of 45 in November 1991.

The insider – who also said Coleen arranged for helicopters to whisk them and their pals to the stunning property in the Cotswolds – told The Sun: “Everyone knows Wayne really loves singing, but he was in his element as Freddie Mercury.

“He looked the part and blasted out some of Queen’s best-known tunes.”

October 18, 2025 0 comments

Hollywood

New Trailer for 1985’s ‘The Last Dragon’ 40th Anniversary Re-Release

by jummy84 September 25, 2025

written by jummy84

New Trailer for 1985’s ‘The Last Dragon’ 40th Anniversary Re-Release

by Alex Billington
September 24, 2025
Source: YouTube

“It’s about the power of the Glow.” Iconic Events has debuted a brand new trailer for the 40th Anniversary re-release of the martial arts cult classic The Last Dragon, directed by Michael Schultz, excutive produced by Berry Gordy, and originally released in 1985. Yet another totally rad, extra badass, wacky fun 80s movie that is worth watching sometime if you’ve never seen it before. “It’s going to be 1985 all over again in movie theaters across the country when Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon returns to cinemas nationwide October 19, 20 and 22 for the first time in 40 years.” Don’t feel old, though! Instead… dance to the beat of the rhythm of the night and catch the glow of this inimitable combination of action, comedy, music and kung fu, a movie that an entire generation of fans has never seen on the big screen.” In New York City, a young man searches for a Master to obtain the final level of martial arts mastery known as the Glow. Starring Taimak, Vanity, and Julius Carry, Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon also features notable names like Chazz Palminteri, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Queen Esther Marrow and, one of his earliest film roles, William H. Macy. This should be a blast on the big screen – take the whole family for a fun time watching Leroy Green kick ass.

Here’s the new 40th Anniversary trailer (+ poster) for Michael Schultz’s The Last Dragon, from YouTube:

The Last Dragon Movie

The Last Dragon Poster

This action-packed story of bravery, dedication, and physical prowess tests the limits and goals of a once mysterious self-defense art form. Martial arts expert Leroy Green (Taimak) seeks to achieve the ‘final level’ in his craft – the level beyond the dragon, beyond excellence. On his quest, Leroy falls in love with a beautiful singer and video disc jockey, Laura Charles (Vanity). Together, they confront a power-hungry record producer bent on revenge against the young singer, and a bloodthirsty egomaniac determined to fight and permanently defeat Leroy. This romantic story centers on the life and death struggle between the love of power and the power of love. Leroy must ascend to the final level, but can he protect Laura’s life at the same time? The Last Dragon is directed by Michael Schultz, his 12th feature film at the time after making Krush Groove (1985) and before Disorderlies (1987). The screenplay is written by Louis Venosta. This originally landed in theaters back in March 1985. Iconic Events will re-release The Last Dragon in US theaters again for a few nights – October 19th, 20th & 22nd, 2025. To book tickets, visit the official site.

Find more posts in: To Watch, Trailer

September 25, 2025 0 comments

Hollywood

New Trailer for ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ 4K Re-Release for its 40th Anniversary

by jummy84 September 19, 2025

written by jummy84

New Trailer for ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ 4K Re-Release for its 40th Anniversary

by Alex Billington
September 18, 2025
Source: YouTube

“All I can remember… is the seven of us always together.” Sony Pictures has revealed a brand new trailer to celebrate the 40th Anniversary re-release of the 80s classic film St. Elmo’s Fire, a story about life and love and friendship made by Joel Schumacher. This is a big favorite among Gen Xers, an important film for the time – first released in June 1985. The Brat Pack is BACK. Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of St. Elmo’s Fire, newly restored in 4K and back in select theaters starting on October 17th this fall. A group of friends, just out of college, struggle with adulthood. Seven friends – Alec, Billy, Jules, Kevin, Kirby, Leslie, Wendy – are trying to navigate through life & their friendships following graduation from Washington DC’s Georgetown University while often at their ol’ dive known as St. Elmo’s Bar. Starring Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Mare Winningham, Andie MacDowell. Critics don’t seem to like this film much. One review states that the film reminds “us that the eighties were far, far worse than any of us can recall today, and by helping these monsters get their careers off the ground, we will be paying for our sins for decades to come.” Ouch! They’re not so bad. Anyone else enjoy this movie?

Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Joel Schumacher’s film St. Elmo’s Fire, direct from YouTube:

St. Elmo's Fire Poster

The hottest young actors of the day star in this film about seven friends, recent college grads, searching for a place in “the real world,” as they face the issues of career & commitment. Leslie & Alex (Ally Sheedy & Judd Nelson) try to save a crumbling romance. Wendy (Mare Winningham), a shy virgin, hides a love for Billy (Rob Lowe), a reluctant father still searching for goals. Kevin (Andrew McCarthy) is a cynical writer who scorns love until he realizes he’s in love with his best friend’s girl. Kirbo (Emilio Estevez), law student, obsessively pursues an older woman. The beautiful, neurotic Jules (Demi Moore) paints a poignant picture of life in the fast lane. Against the backdrop of St. Elmo’s, their local hang-out, they save, betray and love one another as only the closest friends can. St. Elmo’s Fire is directed by filmmaker Joel Schumacher, his sixth feature film at the time after making D.C. Cab (1983) and before making The Lost Boys (1987). The screenplay is by Joel Schumacher & Carl Kurlander. This first opened in theaters in late June, 1985 during the summer – earning a solid $37M at the box office during its run. Sony will re-release Schumacher’s St. Elmo’s Fire film in 4K in select US theaters starting October 17th, 2025 this fall. Any big fans of this one?

Find more posts in: To Watch, Trailer

September 19, 2025 0 comments

TV & Streaming

Les Mis to host 40th anniversary gala with Alfie Boe and Michael Ball

by jummy84 September 16, 2025

written by jummy84

Guests will include ex-Jean Valjeans Alfie Boe and Michael Ball alongside Patti LuPone, Carrie Hope Fletcher and star of the Les Mis movie Samantha Barks.

The company of nearly 100 performers will be giving an in-concert version of the show’s soundtrack, similarly to the previous 25th and 30th anniversary runs.

All proceeds from the gala will go to UK food charities The Felix Project and UKHarvest, which work to rescue and redistribute healthy food to families in London.

Following the announcement, the show’s long-time producer Cameron Mackintosh said: “It is an extraordinary feeling to be celebrating our 40th Anniversary of Les Misérables on London’s Shaftesbury Avenue.

Les Mis. Deen Van Meer

“Having staged several of our other milestone performances in iconic venues like the Royal Albert Hall for our 10th or the o2 Arena for our 25th, I wanted to bring this special celebration home back to its roots.

“Unlike any other musical in history, Les Misérables has continuously triumphed in, not one, but two different and equally successful stagings of the musical, a hugely successful Oscar-winning movie, and spectacular staged concerts in both vast arenas and theatres around the world.

“Victor Hugo’s creation has proved to have no bounds, continuing to reach new corners of the Earth, playing to different races in their own languages, swept along by Boublil and Schönberg’s inspirational musical score. The reaction of the audience, wherever they are on the planet, is always uplifting; just as Victor Hugo hoped it would be when he first published the novel in 1845.”

Tickets for the gala will go on sale this Friday, but you can already get tickets to the show’s special anniversary performances taking place from 8th September to 3rd November.

When is the Les Misérables 40th anniversary gala?

The gala will take place on Les Mis’s actual anniversary of 8th October, and will be held at London’s Sondheim Theatre.

Who is confirmed for the Les Misérables 40th anniversary gala?

A company of nearly 100 performers will perform at the 40th anniversary gala. Including West End and Broadway legends Patti LuPone, Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Samantha Barks, and Carrie Hope Fletcher.

Not to mention, returning faces Matt Lucas, Frances Ruffelle, Gerónimo Rauch, Jeremy Secomb and Bonnie Langford.

How to get tickets to the Les Misérables 40th anniversary gala

Pre-sale tickets will go live at 11am on Friday 19th September for anyone who has already signed up at Delfont Mackintosh Theatres – this sign-up closes at 4pm on Thursday 18th September.

General sale tickets will go live at 1pm on Friday 19th September.

For this one-off performance, at least 500 tickets (approximately half of the house) will be available for £25 to £250.

Make sure you also check out the best pre-theatre dinner London, our guide to the best immersive dining London experiences, plus how to get cheap theatre tickets.

September 16, 2025 0 comments

Hollywood

New Trailer for 40th Anniversary of ‘Back to the Future’ Sci-Fi Classic

by jummy84 August 30, 2025

written by jummy84

New Trailer for 40th Anniversary of ‘Back to the Future’ Sci-Fi Classic

by Alex Billington
August 29, 2025
Source: YouTube

“What the hell is a jigawatt?!” Universal debuted a brand new trailer celebrating the 40th anniversary of the all-time sci-fi time travel adventure classic Back to the Future, considered one of the best movies ever made. Robert Zemeckis directed this as his fourth feature film at the time and it hit first theaters in July 1985. Universal will be giving BTTF a big ol’ grand re-release in theaters on October 31st this fall, and of course it’s a must watch on the big screen. Bring the kids! Show it to the next generation, too! On October 31st, the beloved 1985 classic returns to theaters nationwide for a limited engagement in premium large screen formats, including Dolby Cinema, 4DX, D-Box, IMAX, among others. This marks the first time Back to the Future will be presented on the world’s largest screens, offering fans the opportunity to experience the film’s scope and spectacle in the most immersive formats yet. Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. The BTTF original cast includes Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson, Claudia Wells, Marc McClure, Wendie Jo Sperber, James Tolkan. This trailer shows the whole movie! But we’ve all seen it so many times already.

Here’s the new trailer (+ poster) for Robert Zemeckis’ classic movie Back to the Future, from YouTube:

Back to the Future 40th Anniversary Trailer

Back to the Future 40th Anniversary Poster

Universal Pictures is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, the Academy Award–winning sci-fi adventure from director Robert Zemeckis and executive producer Steven Spielberg that became a global phenomenon and redefined the adventure genre. When teenager Marty McFly (starring Michael J. Fox) is blasted to 1955 in the DeLorean time machine created by the eccentric Doc Brown, he finds himself mixed up in a time-shattering chain reaction that threatens to erase his future—and trap him in the past forever. Back to the Future is directed by the iconic American filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, his fourth feature film at the time just after Romancing the Stone (1984) and right after he made Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) before the two sequels. The screenplay is written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. Produced by Neil Canton and Bob Gale. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall. Back to the Future originally opened in theaters on July 3rd, 1985 and ended up becoming an epic $389 million box office success then. Universal re-releases the classic BTTF in theaters again starting on October 31st, 2025 this fall – including on IMAX screens nationwide. Is it one of your all-time faves?

Find more posts in: Sci-Fi, To Watch, Trailer

August 30, 2025 0 comments