Things Can Only Get Better Tour - Week Two

richardblade
Aug 10
3 min read

Las Vegas, NV - July 26, 2026 Resorts World Theatre'

From Vegas to Iowa: Life on the Things Can Only Get Better Tour

After an amazing show, we loaded onto the tour buses and made the overnight drive to our next destination: Las Vegas. The show at Resorts World wasn't until Sunday night, so we had a day off — although our hotel wasn't quite ready for us yet.

So there we were, sitting on the bus, gazing out at a massive parking lot and a sea of empty tarmac. Not exactly the glamorous side of touring you see in the movies!

I was also trying to find a place with Wi-Fi so I could make sure I didn't miss doing my show on SiriusXM 1st Wave. Somehow, that's become part of the touring routine too.

Las Vegas

By Sunday night, we were ready to go. Another fantastic meet-and-greet brought me face-to-face with some lovely people before the show. There's something special about meeting the audience before going onstage — hearing their stories, taking pictures, and finding out what the music means to them.

Then it was time for the show. English Beat were rocking Las Vegas, and the crowd was absolutely fantastic. What happens in Vegas definitely shouldn't stay in Vegas when you've got a crowd like this!

The Things Can Only Get Better Tour was rolling on with Howard Jones, Wang Chung, English Beat, Modern English, and me, and the energy just kept building. After Vegas, I had two nights at home to see the wifey and the fur baby before heading back out.

Back on the Road: Utah

Getting home for a couple of nights is always great, but the road was calling again.

I flew out of Burbank and headed back to the tour, this time to the Maverik Center in Utah. When you've got to be somewhere on time, you have to make sure you get there — especially when Howard Jones, Wang Chung, English Beat, and Modern English are waiting for you!

Utah did not disappoint. What a night at the Maverik Center. Thank you to everyone who came out to see the Things Can Only Get Better Tour. I hope you enjoyed all three of my sets as much as I enjoyed doing them. And then, almost immediately, it was on to the next city.

Denver

The next stop was Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre in Denver on July 30..

Another huge, enthusiastic audience and another night of three sets. I loved every second of it.

There's something pretty amazing about looking out at a crowd and realizing that these songs and artists have connected with people for decades — and that so many of those people are still turning up to sing along, dance, and have a great night together.

After Denver, we had a day off before continuing on to Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Of course, "day off" on tour doesn't necessarily mean sitting around doing nothing.

Bowling with the Crew

In Nebraska, Howard and the crew and I got together for a little bowling.

After the shows, the travel, the soundchecks and everything else that goes into putting a tour together, it's nice to have a chance to simply hang out and have some fun.

Good times with Howard's band and our road crew. Then it was back to work.

Iowa

The Things Can Only Get Better Tour arrived at Harrah's Stir Cove in Iowa, and I was looking forward to another great night.

Before the show, I got in a workout at the venue's gym. Looking through the window, I noticed a little guy keeping me company — a very appropriate sight for the first of the month! Then the doors opened, and the people started arriving.

The meet-and-greet in Iowa was another special one. Thank you to everyone who waited for pictures, shared stories, and talked with me about my show on SiriusXM 1st Wave.

That interaction with the audience is one of the things I enjoy most about these nights. It's also one of the reasons I've changed the way I approach my live show. I'm not simply standing there DJing records. Instead, I'm telling stories about the 1980s, year by year, and sharing the music and memories that go along with them. It makes the show more personal — and, I think, a lot more fun for everyone. Backstage, I waited for my cue to go on while English Beat gave the crowd a little "Tenderness."

Then it was my turn. And what a crowd. By the time the show got underway, there was a huge audience in the venue. The energy was incredible, and Iowa completely blew us away. Another brilliant night. Who would have thought Iowa would help us blow it out of the park? I would come back here anytime.