Some nights you go to a concert and it’s a rollercoaster — a mess of highs and lows, nostalgia and surprise. The 2025 “Lost ’80s” lineup at the House of Blues was exactly that kind of night, starting with an abysmal performance from Bow Wow Wow, followed by a short but satisfying set from Missing Persons, and ending on an absolute high note with The Motels. Fronted by the incomparable Martha Davis, the only original member left, The Motels closed the night with a performance so confident, so smooth, and so emotionally resonant that it felt like the decades had simply melted away.
Where Bow Wow Wow stumbled through one of the worst sets I’ve seen all year — easily the bottom of the over 150 shows I’ve attended — and Missing Persons served as a much-needed palate cleanser, The Motels reminded everyone what true professionalism sounds like. They were tight, tuneful, and emotionally alive. Davis’ voice, though deepened slightly by time, still carries the same haunting beauty that made songs like Only the Lonely and Suddenly Last Summer staples of early MTV.
A Night Redeemed
After Bow Wow Wow’s disaster and Missing Persons’ solid recovery, the crowd at House of Blues seemed cautiously optimistic. By the time Martha Davis walked onstage, guitar in hand, the audience was ready for redemption — and they got it. From the first shimmering notes of Dressing Up, it was clear that The Motels had come to play. The mix was perfect: crisp guitars, lush keyboards, and Davis’ voice sitting exactly where it should in the center of the sound.
Here’s the full setlist:
Setlist:
-
Dressing Up
-
People, Places and Things
-
So L.A.
-
Suddenly Last Summer
-
Take the L
-
Counting
-
Danger
-
Closets & Bullets
-
Careful
-
Remember the Nights
-
Party Professionals
-
Celia
-
My Love Stops Here
-
Art Fails
-
Total Control
-
Apocalypso
-
Only the Lonely
-
Tipping Point
That’s an ambitious 18-song set for a co-headlining slot, but The Motels made it feel effortless. The pacing was perfect — a slow build from sleek new wave cool to emotional catharsis.
Martha Davis: The Soul of The Motels
The most remarkable thing about The Motels’ 2025 incarnation is how much of its identity still rests on Martha Davis. She’s the anchor, the mood-setter, the storyteller, and the emotional core. Her voice remains remarkably intact — smoky, dramatic, full of ache and sophistication. At times she reminded the audience why she was always one of the most underrated vocalists of the New Wave era.
Unlike many nostalgia acts that rely on charm or gimmickry, Davis simply stood at the microphone and delivered. There were moments during Suddenly Last Summer and Only the Lonely when the crowd went completely silent, hanging on every note. The years have added gravity to her voice; songs that once sounded wistful now feel almost spiritual.
Between songs, Davis was gracious and witty, reflecting on her career with humility and humor. “I’ve been singing these songs for a long time,” she said at one point, “but they keep changing on me. They get older, and so do I — but that’s okay. We’re aging well together.” The crowd erupted in applause, a mix of laughter and genuine affection.
The Sound of Time Standing Still
From the opening number, the band sounded impeccable. The guitars were sharp but never overwhelming, the keyboards rich and textured, and the rhythm section locked in with a confidence that only comes from serious rehearsal. Unlike Bow Wow Wow’s sloppy trainwreck of a set, every song here felt deliberate and alive.
People, Places and Things rolled with that signature Motels groove — a mix of noir pop and smooth melancholy. By So L.A., the crowd had fully locked in, swaying and singing along, especially during the chorus. Then came Suddenly Last Summer, which felt like a collective exhale. Davis’ delivery was pitch-perfect, the song’s haunting melody floating through the room like smoke.
The deep cuts were especially satisfying for longtime fans. Closets & Bullets, Art Fails, and Celia reminded everyone that The Motels were never just about the hits; they were a band of real artistry and mood. Davis’ lyrics, always introspective and cinematic, have aged beautifully — maybe even better than some of their flashier contemporaries.
Highlights and Heartbeats
If there was a single defining moment of the night, it came during Total Control. The song, already a masterpiece of tension and release, was stretched out into something transcendent. The band started slow, Davis whispering the opening lines before the drums kicked in and the song bloomed into full color. It was sexy, sad, and utterly hypnotic. You could see people closing their eyes, lost in it.
Take the L brought some levity, its upbeat groove a reminder of how effortlessly The Motels could balance melancholy with pop smarts. Danger was another highlight — the guitar solo cutting clean through the mix, the crowd clapping along in rhythm.
And then, of course, there was Only the Lonely. As the familiar piano intro played, the audience cheered — not in that rowdy, drunken way, but with deep recognition. The performance was everything you’d hope for: elegant, tender, and still tinged with mystery. Davis sang it like she was reliving every word. When it ended, the applause was deafening, genuine, and sustained.
They closed with Tipping Point, a newer track that fit surprisingly well alongside the classics. It was energetic, modern, and confident — proof that The Motels aren’t just coasting on nostalgia. They’re still creating, still evolving, still here.
The Crowd and the Contrast
It’s impossible to review this show without acknowledging how it unfolded in contrast to the earlier acts. The energy in the room shifted drastically as each band took the stage. Bow Wow Wow’s confused, off-key performance had the audience restless and skeptical. Missing Persons restored some order with their sharp, well-paced 30-minute set, but when The Motels came on, everything finally clicked.
This wasn’t just the best set of the night — it was one of the best of the year. There was no pretense, no awkward replacement members fumbling through songs. This was a band that respected its history and understood its sound. Davis didn’t need to reinvent anything; she just needed to be.
You could feel the collective relief in the room. People who had been shaking their heads in disbelief during Bow Wow Wow were now smiling, dancing, even tearing up during Suddenly Last Summer. The audience finally got the experience they paid for — not just nostalgia, but artistry.
The Legacy Lives On
The Motels occupy a unique place in New Wave history. They were never as flashy as Duran Duran or as avant-garde as Talking Heads, but they had something more grounded — a romantic darkness that set them apart. Martha Davis’ songwriting always had depth, her lyrics exploring loneliness, longing, and self-discovery with cinematic precision.
Hearing those songs live again in 2025, especially with Davis still in command, was a reminder of just how good they were — and how criminally underrated. Songs like Careful and Remember the Nights may not have been chart-toppers, but they’re timeless. The Motels were a thinking person’s pop band, and that intelligence still radiates through every note.
There’s also something inspiring about Davis’ continued commitment to her craft. She doesn’t treat The Motels like a nostalgia act; she treats it like a living, breathing extension of herself. Even with an entirely new backing band, she’s managed to preserve the band’s soul. That’s rare — and it’s what made this set so special.
Ending on a High Note
When the band wrapped up with Tipping Point, Martha Davis thanked the crowd with a heartfelt smile. “It’s been a long road,” she said. “But nights like this make it worth it.” The audience roared back in agreement, the kind of warm, genuine reaction you can’t fake. After the rocky start of the evening, this finale felt like redemption — not just for the night, but for the entire concept of revisiting the past through music.
Walking out of the venue, the difference in energy was palpable. People were laughing, talking excitedly, reliving moments from the show. Whatever bitterness or confusion Bow Wow Wow had brought earlier was gone, replaced by gratitude. The Motels had not only delivered — they had healed the night.
Final Thoughts
In a world full of nostalgia tours and half-hearted reunions, The Motels at House of Blues in 2025 stood out as something genuine. It wasn’t just a trip down memory lane — it was a reminder that great music, when performed with heart and honesty, never ages.
Martha Davis, still elegant and commanding, remains the quiet force that keeps The Motels relevant. Her voice, her songwriting, and her presence are as captivating now as they were over 40 years ago. Surrounded by a skilled band that truly honors her vision, she gave a performance that transcended expectations.
After the chaos of Bow Wow Wow and the steadiness of Missing Persons, The Motels brought everything full circle — turning a shaky night into something truly memorable.
Grade: A – A stunning, soulful performance that proved The Motels’ music — and Martha Davis’ voice — are timeless.