There’s something special about a band returning to a smaller venue after decades of history behind them. Men Without Hats playing the Mod Club Theatre in November 2025 wasn’t just a nostalgia trip—it was a reminder of how a band with one of the most recognizable songs of the ’80s can still surprise you. The room was packed with longtime fans, curious newcomers, and a whole lot of people wearing quirky hats ironically, unironically, or somewhere in between. Before the show even began, the vibe was already warm and buzzing, like everyone was in on the same joke and the same celebration.
The Mod Club is one of those intimate Toronto spaces where the energy bounces off the walls and straight into the crowd. You can see the expressions of the band. You can feel the bass in your chest. And when a group like Men Without Hats takes the stage, it becomes the perfect setting—a blend of nostalgia, synth-pop fun, and surprisingly enduring musical craftsmanship.
The moment Ivan Doroschuk and company walked out, the crowd erupted. They didn’t waste any time, launching immediately into “The Safety Dance,” which was a bold and honestly brilliant decision. Most bands bury their biggest hit until the encore or the end of the main set, but Men Without Hats flipped the script. They leaned right in. Instead of feeling like they gave the surprise away too early, it set a tone: the night wasn’t about saving anything. It was about celebrating everything. And it absolutely worked. The crowd danced, shouted, jumped, and filled the room with that unmistakable chorus. It was like a collective exhale of joy.
From there, the band flowed into “Moonbeam,” a softer and dreamier shift that eased the room back into a steady groove. Ivan’s voice has aged in a way that adds character without losing the charm that made the band’s early hits shine. “Where Do the Boys Go?” followed with a pulsing energy, and the crowd—mostly 30s to 50s but sprinkled with younger fans—sang along with surprising dedication. You could tell that Men Without Hats still have a firm grip on their audience, old and new.
“Antarctica” brought a quirky, chilly vibe to the set, and “I Got the Message” kept things tight and upbeat. The synths were crisp, the rhythm section was locked in, and Ivan moved around the stage with this pleasantly understated swagger. He’s not a wild showman in the conventional sense, but he has a presence that fills the room just the same—charismatic, confident, and enjoying the moment without trying too hard.
By the time they reached “I Like,” the set had settled into its own comfortable rhythm. The Mod Club floor felt like a dance party, the kind where everyone starts moving in that relaxed, happy way that comes from hearing songs with real staying power. “Head Above Water,” one of their more emotional cuts, shifted the tone for a moment, giving the night a little extra depth. It’s always nice when a band known for one major hit gets to show the rest of their range, and Men Without Hats leaned into that with ease.
But the real eruption came with “Pop Goes the World.” The second those opening notes hit, the entire room was bouncing again. It’s one of those songs that belongs in the same cultural category as their biggest hit—instantly recognizable, eternally catchy, and impossible not to dance to. The crowd lit up, and the singalong was loud enough to drown out the PA at moments. Ivan was clearly loving it, grinning through the final chorus while the band stretched the song into something fuller and even more festive than the album version.
“On Tuesday” and “I Love the ‘80s” kept the momentum rolling. The latter song in particular felt like an anthem for the audience, a nostalgic hug delivered through a dance track. Then came “Security (Everybody Feels Better With),” another deep cut that got a surprisingly strong reaction. The live version had a little more punch, a little more swagger, and it helped round out the variety in their setlist.
Then the band threw everyone a curveball.
Men Without Hats covering The Rolling Stones’ “2000 Light Years From Home” is not something anyone expected, but it turned out to be one of the coolest left-field moments of the night. They managed to give it a shimmering, spacey synth-pop twist without losing the psychedelic edge of the original. Following it immediately with The Tragically Hip’s “Blow at High Dough” was an inspired Canadian tribute and sent the Toronto crowd into a frenzy. You could feel the room swell with hometown pride, and the band absolutely nailed it.
Just when the energy seemed like it couldn’t climb any higher, they returned to where the night began. “The Safety Dance (Extended ‘Club Mix’)” hit like a second wind. The track stretched out into a full-on dance marathon, complete with breakdowns, crowd claps, and a pulsing groove that felt like a time machine back to the era when synth-pop ruled the clubs. People who hadn’t stopped moving all night somehow found new energy, and those who had been taking a break jumped back into the fray.
When the band left the stage, the chant for an encore was immediate and loud. They reappeared quickly with a grin, diving into ABBA’s “SOS.” The cover was both respectful and fun, with a little more attitude and a slightly darker edge than their usual tone. It fit the band surprisingly well—ABBA’s melodrama meeting Men Without Hats’ quirky confidence.
Finally, they wrapped up the night with “No Friends of Mine,” a fan favorite that closed the show on a strong, upbeat note. It was a perfect closer, a track with just enough bite and just enough charm to send the audience home happy, buzzing, and remembering why this band still matters.
By the end, it didn’t feel like Men Without Hats were performing out of obligation to nostalgia. It felt like they were genuinely thrilled to be up there, playing songs they still love to a crowd that loved them right back. Their music may be tied to a very specific era, but the joy it brings is timeless in a way you can’t fake.
For a band often associated with a single massive hit, their show at the Mod Club proved that they’re much more than that. Energetic, fun, tight, and filled with surprises—it was everything a live show should be.
Setlist
Main Set:
The Safety Dance
Moonbeam
Where Do the Boys Go?
Antarctica
I Got the Message
I Like
Head Above Water
Pop Goes the World
On Tuesday
I Love the ’80s
Security (Everybody Feels Better With)
2000 Light Years From Home (Rolling Stones cover)
Blow at High Dough (Tragically Hip cover)
The Safety Dance (Extended “Club Mix”)
Encore:
SOS (ABBA cover)
No Friends of Mine