Concerts return to Mississauga as classic bands from the 80s come to town

Mississauga | Ontario | Music |

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Published August 13, 2021 at 6:51 pm

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Live music has returned to Mississauga with a retro vengeance that will see a line-up of classic 80s bands come to town in the weeks and months ahead.

The shows, presented by Classic Bowl, started again last weekend when Images in Vogue performed to a sold-out crowd at the 3055 Dundas St. W. bowling alley.

Images In Vogue perform at Classic Bowl. Photo by Kevin Alberga

Next month, The Box arrives followed in the spring by British hit-makers Jesus Jones. A few other pop-up events are also in the works.

“Many of these shows were scheduled before the pandemic hit so we’re pleased to get them back going again,” explained Ed Sousa, director of Classic Bowl Mississauga.

If the setting seems unique that’s because it is as bowling alleys are not your traditional concert venues.

But it fits right in at Classic Bowl which in the past has successfully brought in such new wave stalwarts as Flock of Seagulls and China Crisis.

“It works for us,” explained Sousa. “There is a strong audience for 80s music and we have the space to do it. It’s intimate and makes the audience part of the show.”

In the past the concerts have had limited ticket availability which has always made them a quick sell out. With the rules surrounding COVID-19 in place the current shows have been capped at 50 audience members.  

From a business standpoint, Sousa says by bringing people out to the concerts it gets them used to the venue once again.

“Classic Bowl is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, we have been in Mississauga for a long time and we have developed a loyal following,” he explained. “But for almost the past two years everybody has been staying at home. We want to show them that we are still here, it’s still a place where they can come to have fun whether its bowling or to see a show.”

As it stands now, shows will be limited to 50 people but Sousa hopes that by next year most restrictions will be lifted and more people can attend…the fourth wave of the pandemic notwithstanding.

In the meantime, he suggests anyone interested in the shows should keep an eye on the Classic Bowl website or Facebook page to stay up-to-date as the concerts sell out fast and more are added all of the time.

Here is a list of upcoming shows scheduled for Classic Bowl:

  • The Box: September 26, 2021
  • The Grapes of Wrath: October 10, 2021
  • Honeymoon Suite, Saga and Harlequin: May 13, 2022
  • Jesus Jones, Spoons, Strange Advance and Images in Vogue: May 14, 2022

(Photo: Jesus Jones, shown here in classic pose circa 1985, will perform at Classic Bowl next spring)

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