Recent Dark Wave Playlists

Heaven 17 to play first-ever U.S. concerts late next month in New York, California

Heaven 17 to play first-ever U.S. concerts late next month in New York, California

Heaven 17 has long been more of a studio entity than a live vehicle. The group, which formed in 1980, didn’t perform live until 1997. And now, 36 years after the release of their debut Penthouse and Pavement, Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory finally will bring H17 to America for a pair of long-awaited concerts next month.

Watch: OMD covers David Bowie's classic anthem 'Heroes' live on BBC Radio 2

Watch: OMD covers David Bowie’s classic anthem ‘Heroes’ live on BBC Radio 2

As they build up to the release of their new album in a few weeks, Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark stopped by BBC Radio 2’s “Chris Evans Breakfast Show” on Friday to perform four songs — including a cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes.” Watch it here.

Crowded House's Neil Finn to livestream recording of new solo album 'Out of Silence'

Crowded House’s Neil Finn to livestream recording of new solo album ‘Out of Silence’

Crowded House frontman Neil Finn is working on his upcoming new solo record Out of Silence in full view of his fans, livestreaming his in-studio performances each Friday this month — culminating, on Aug. 25, with the full recording of the album live on the internet. Watch footage of the recording sessions here.

Listen: The Waterboys, 'Payo Payo Chin' — second single off upcoming double LP

Listen: The Waterboys, ‘Payo Payo Chin’ — second single off upcoming double LP

The Waterboys have offered up the second taste of the band’s upcoming double albumin the form of “Payo Payo Chin,”another example of bandleader Mike Scott’s promise to employ more modern production values and styles in his new music. Stream the new song right here.

Listen: The Smiths, 'I Know It's Over' — unreleased live take from Los Angeles 1986

Listen: The Smiths, ‘I Know It’s Over’ — unreleased live take from Los Angeles 1986

It’s week three of the roll-out of unreleased live versions of songs off The Smiths’ The Queen is Dead, which means it’s time for “I Know It’s Over.” So here’s a nearly 8-minute version of the fan favorite recorded Aug. 25, 1986, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Hear it right here.

Listen: Paul Weller spreads his sonic wings on new 'Mother Ethiopia' collaborations

Listen: Paul Weller spreads his sonic wings on new ‘Mother Ethiopia’ collaborations

Paul Weller’s  latest album, A Kind Revolution, has been out for just three months, but the former Jam and Style Council frontman is already dabbling in new musical territory, with the surprise release over the weekend of the three-part Afrobeat-flavored single “Mother Ethiopia.” Stream all three versions here.

'Gary Crowley’s Punk and New Wave' box set compiles 77 lesser-known gems from '77-'82

‘Gary Crowley’s Punk and New Wave’ box set compiles 77 lesser-known gems from ’77-’82

Demon Music Group next month will release a Nuggets-inspired 3CD box set compiled by longtime British radio host Gary Crowley that collects 77 tracks from 1977 to 1982, including “many rare, one-off singles which were very much in keeping with the DIY spirit of the times.”