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On this day, 26 June 1984, pop band Kajagoogoo played Cardiff’s St David’s Hall on their “Islands” - Tour ‘84.
The band had just released their first album without vocalist Limahl, who had been fired by the band in mid-1983 and went on to pursue a solo career.
Bassist Nick Beggs, already the group's main backing vocalist, took over lead vocal duties, and also wrote the lyrics. The album was co-produced by the band themselves, now a four-piece group, along with Colin Thurston, who had also produced their debut, White Feathers (1983). It is the final album to date to feature founding drummer Jez Strode.
The album did not sell as well as its predecessor, peaking at No. 35 in the UK Albums Chart. The album's first single, "Big Apple", reached No. 8 in the UK, but subsequent singles were less successful, with "The Lion's Mouth" peaking at No. 25 and "Turn Your Back on Me" reaching No. 47.
In the US, the band had renamed themselves Kaja and Islands was reconfigured and released as a mini-LP titled Extra Play. It contained only seven tracks (five from the album and two bonus remixes) and peaked at No. 185 on the Billboard 200. On the US edition, the version of "Turn Your Back on Me" was different from the original UK version, having been remixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero. This remix was released as a single in the US and reached No. 2 on the dance charts.
Tour Setlist
Big Apple
Monochromatic
On a Plane
Islands
The Power to Forgive
Too Shy
Lies and Promises
Melting the Ice Away
The Lion's Mouth
White Feathers
Ooh to Be Ah
