NEWPORT, KY — Cincinnati-based 80s Alternative and New Wave specialists Blue Eighty are set to deliver a milestone performance on May 15 at the Southgate House Revival, marking the region’s most significant celebration of Australian rock legends INXS in nearly four decades.
For many local fans, the “New Sensations” era reached its peak on August 28, 1988, when INXS performed at the Riverfront Coliseum during their iconic Calling All Nations tour. While the band’s global legacy continued, that night remains the final time the original six-member lineup, fronted by the late Michael Hutchence, performed in the Queen City. On May 15, Blue Eighty will bridge that 38-year gap by premiering an expansive, high-energy tribute to the Australian alt-rock heroes.
The Performance
The evening will be a two-part journey through the definitive sounds of the 1980s:
Best of 80s Alternative: Blue Eighty will kick off the night with a “Best of the 80s” set, featuring their signature repertoire of hits from bands like The Cure, Depeche Mode, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Smiths, Duran Duran, and Talking Heads.
The INXS Tribute: The centerpiece of the night is an extended set dedicated entirely to INXS, covering everything from the funk-infused grooves of KICK to the soulful rock of Listen Like Thieves and Shabooh Shoobah.
About Blue Eighty
Formed in 2018, Blue Eighty has become a staple of the Cincinnati music scene, known for their authentic recreation of the “Modern Rock” era. Drawing inspiration from the legendary 97X (WOXY) and SiriusXM’s First Wave, the band has appeared in premier venues including Bogart’s, Northside Tavern, OTR Stillhouse, and recently performed a very successful New Year’s Eve show at the Ludlow Garage.
Event Details
What: Blue Eighty Presents XSIV: A Tribute to the Music of INXS
When: May 15, 2026. Doors 7pm, Show at 8pm
Where: Southgate House Revival, Newport, KY
Tickets: On sale Wednesday, March 9 at 10:00 AM
Info & Tickets: Blue80Band.com/inxs
Media Contact:
Brent Billock
513-620-6383
Brent@PMCincy.com
Blue80Band.com
