More than 30 years after Martha Davis formed the new wave band The Motels, the singer took to the stage at The Cave in Big Bear Village to dazzle an audience of several hundred fans. The show, which kicked off at 8pm, began with two opening acts that preceded The Motels: One Story and The Duke Michaels Band respectively, both of which had the crowd singing along to recognizable cover tunes and taking in original songs. Duke Michaels performed a rendition of the Simple Minds' classic "Don't You (Forget About Me)" as a nod to the 80s new wave scene that The Motels were part of, and One Story pleased younger audience members by covering artists including The Lumineers, Katy Perry and Lorde. The venue was at capacity by the time The Motels hit the stage at 10:30 pm.
The Motels opened their set with the 1983 hit "Suddenly Last Summer," which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1983. Another 15 songs from the band's extensive catalog followed, concluding with the hit "Only the Lonely," which was a Billboard Top 10 hit in 1982 and the song that still receives the most radio airplay today. Davis introduced the song "So LA" as, "a song about a city down the hill - but I guess everything's down the hill from here, right?" The crowd, made up of Big Bear locals and attendees from throughout Southern California, cheered in response.
Throughout the show, the audience sang, danced and even took "selfies" with Davis as the charismatic singer stepped off the stage and wove her way through the aisles. Holding a clear plastic cup filled with red wine, she announced, "I'm drinking a mighty fine zinfandel made by the man who owns this place. Damn, it's good!" Davis was referring to Stone Summit Wines, which is made by The Cave proprietor Dave Stone. "Love you, Dave!," she said before launching into another song.
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The audience cheered Davis on consistently, making the entire night an electric experience for everyone in the venue. Those who preferred to sit enjoyed the plush theater-style seating, while a sizable crowd gathered near the stage to dance; at several points, fans shouted, "We love you, Martha!" and asked her to join them on the floor. Davis' voice has clearly stood the test of time, as she hit high notes with ease and emulated the kittenish tones of her trademark vocals flawlessly.
The next 1980s new wave band to play at The Cave will be Berlin, featuring its original lead singer, Teri Nunn. The band achieved tremendous success in the 1980s with hits such as “Take My Breath Away," "No More Words" and “The Metro." Berlin will perform at The Cave on July 18; tickets can be purchased by calling (877) 825-4388, or online at TheCaveBigBear.showare.com.
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About The Cave in Big Bear
The Cave is a 400-seat concert venue, located in the heart of Big Bear Village in the San Bernardino Mountains. Established in 2013, The Cave has hosted musical acts that include tribute bands, nostalgic entertainers of the 20th century and some of today’s most up-and-coming rock and pop performers. Comedy shows and other live entertainment are all part of the lineup at The Cave, which features a full bar for guests 21 and over and state-of-the-art audio and visuals for all who attend. To buy tickets and view upcoming shows, please visit TheCaveBigBear.showare.com.
