The Totally Tubular Festival brought a celebration of 1980s New Wave music to the Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre on July 26, 2026, featuring a lineup of iconic artists headlined by Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People. The event, part of the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series, saw a late addition to its roster following the medical cancellation of The Motels.
New Wave Icons Perform
The festival, which took place on a Sunday night, featured a diverse collection of artists who gained widespread popularity during the 1980s, largely driven by high rotation on MTV. The scheduled performers included Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock of Seagulls, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club, and Tommy Tutone.
According to Red Butte Garden, the event was designed as a night under the stars for fans of the pop culture zeitgeist. The festival served as a significant milestone for several performers, including Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, who marked their first performance together since 1988, when they supported Depeche Mode at the Rose Bowl. Additionally, The Producers marked their first national coast-to-coast U.S. tour in over 25 years.
The Motels Cancel Due to Medical Reasons
The festival lineup underwent a change shortly before the event occurred. In an announcement released on June 11, 2026, Red Butte Garden confirmed that the band Bow Wow Wow would replace The Motels for the July 26 performance in Salt Lake City.
Red Butte Garden stated that the change was necessary after The Motels were forced to cancel their summer appearances. In a statement released by the band and singer/founder Martha Davis, the group expressed regret over the cancellation. Davis noted that she required time to heal from a recent medical procedure and was expected to make a full recovery but must take the remainder of the summer off from performing.
'It breaks my heart to have to cancel The Motels part in the Totally Tubular Tour this summer,' Davis said in a statement. 'The band and I were looking forward to it big time! But the doctors have some unfinished business with me, so I must comply. But don't worry, I'll be back!' Davis added, expressing her love for the fans and her hope for a great show despite her absence.
Festival Logistics and Venue Background
The Totally Tubular Festival was part of the broader 2026 Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series. For the July 26 event, gates were scheduled to open at 5 p.m., with the performance beginning at 6 p.m. Admission for the festival was set at $67 for Garden members and $72 for the general public.
Red Butte Garden, which has been voted the best outdoor concert venue by Salt Lake City Weekly and Salt Lake magazine, continues to host a variety of artists throughout the summer season. The venue encourages attendees to pack a picnic and a blanket to enjoy live music under the stars in the Salt Lake City area.
Upcoming Summer Concert Schedule
Following the July event, the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series continued with several high-profile performances throughout August 2026. The schedule included Interpol on August 4, with tickets priced at $71 for members and $76 for the public. Ani DiFranco was scheduled to perform on August 9, with member tickets at $48 and public tickets at $53.
Other upcoming performances in the series included SUGAR on August 12, Herbie Hancock on August 13, and Jesse Welles on August 14. The summer schedule also features Men at Work, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Shonen Knife on August 17, followed by Gov't Mule on August 20. The season's offerings extend through September, including performances by Bonnie Raitt, Brandon Flowers, The National Parks, The Record Company, and The Revivalists.
Venue Engagement and Access
For those attending Red Butte Garden events, the organization provides various ways to engage, including a donor club and an event calendar. While the venue offers ticket sales in person at the Red Butte Garden Visitor Center, many shows throughout the season continue to see high demand. The garden remains a central hub for arts and entertainment in Utah, powered by the seasonal outdoor concert series.
