The band, which was known for such propulsive hits as “I Ran (So Far Away)” and “Space Age Love Song” as well as for front man Mike Singer’s distinctive swooping hairstyle, has been added to the opening night of the celebration.
La Semana Alegre, which is an official Fiesta event for the first time this year, takes place April 23-24 at Hemisfair.
A Flock of Seagulls will join their MTV peers Men Without Hats, Bow Wow Wow, Animotion and Tommy Tutone to kick things off.
Other acts slated for opening night include San Antonio favorites Girl in a Coma, Joe King Carrasco and mypilotis.
There will be a vibe shift music-wise on April 24, which will be headlined by Ghostland Observatory. Other acts slated to play include La Santa Cecilia, 54 Ultra, Los Retros and Son Rompe Pera.
“We wanted the two nights to be very separate experiences for different audiences,” said Susan Steves Thompson, Hemisfair Conservancy president and executive director.
Tickets cost $26.12 per day and $42.01 for both days. VIP tickets, which are good for one day, cost $47.75 and include access to a VIP lounge, a dedicated bar and seats on elevated risers in front of the main stage as well as happy hour bites.
Proceeds benefit the Hemisfair Conservancy, helping to fund programming and the care of the downtown park.
“This is our take on a gala that other nonprofits might throw,” Thompson said.
Interactive experiences will be a part of the festivities throughout Hemisfair both nights.
Some will have a retro feel, including the opportunity to take home some distinctive souvenirs. Cherry Pop Ink will offer flash tattoos, and Busy Bees Airbrush will be on hand to customize merch. In addition, Janie’s Record Shop, the much-loved West Side spot, will set up on the porch in Civic Park, selling vinyl, cassettes and T-shirts.
“As we all know, we’re moving into this really exciting, fun era of younger people getting back into buying vinyl and cassettes and CDs, and we really wanted to have that available for them,” said Cat Contreras-Sanchez, associate producer with Galaxy Productions, which helped pull the event together.
This is the third year for the revived event. Its first run started in the mid-‘70s and drew such names as Peter Frampton, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Vaughan appeared with his band Double Trouble in 1990 four months before his death in a helicopter crash.
It folded in 1995 and was brought back in 2024.