The grass amphitheater at Elmwood Park fills with voices singing every word to “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and the summer air carries synth hooks across downtown Roanoke. Kids In America brings the full 80s experience to the terraced lawn on Thursday, July 30th at 6pm, with a six-piece lineup that covers everything from Whitney Houston to Guns N’ Roses without a single backing track. If you grew up rewinding cassettes or you just want a night where the choruses are huge and the energy never dips, this is the show.
The band plays pop anthems, hair metal riffs, new wave hooks, and hip hop breaks with the kind of accuracy that comes from over a decade on stage. You get two lead vocalists trading off, live keyboards layering every synth line, and a rhythm section that locks in whether the song is Bon Jovi or Michael Jackson.
Show Details
Kids In America performs at Elmwood Park on Thursday, July 30th, 2026. Doors open at 6pm. The park is located at 706 S Jefferson St in downtown Roanoke, with terraced grass seating for over 4,000 guests and an outdoor amphitheater setup built for summer concerts. For the most current information on tickets, pricing, and parking logistics, check the official event listing through the City of Roanoke or call the park directly at (540) 853-2000.
About Kids In America
Kids In America is a six-piece 80s cover band built on years of live experience and a shared commitment to recreating the decade exactly as it sounded. Shannon Remley and Ray Hartsfield handle female and male lead vocals. Shannon’s powerhouse vocals and energy along with Ray’s charisma and showmanship make for the ultimate male-female lead vocal combo upfront. Roey Haviv plays bass guitar and bass synth, GK Via covers lead guitar and lead and background vocals, Rob Bowser on keyboards and synths, and Mike Graci handles drums and electronic percussion. This 6 piece very talented band plays everything live with no tracks, covering pop, hair metal, new wave, hip hop and dance with the kind of precision and accuracy that comes from over a thousand shows for just over a decade.
What You Will Hear
Expect the kind of night where you might hear “Don’t Stop Believin'” followed by “Push It,” then “Sweet Child o’ Mine” into “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” The setlist spans Madonna, Prince, Journey, Heart, Def Leppard, Run D.M.C., and The Cure. You could get “Take On Me,” “Jump,” “Jessie’s Girl,” or “Footloose” in any order, with live keyboards handling every synth line and dual lead vocals covering both the arena rock moments and the dance floor anthems. The band moves through pop, new wave, hair metal, and hip hop without breaking stride.
About the Venue
Elmwood Park is Roanoke’s premier outdoor concert and festival venue, located in the heart of downtown at 706 S Jefferson St. The amphitheater uses cascading grass seating that holds over 4,000 guests comfortably, with a layout designed for summer nights and open-air performances. The City of Roanoke hosts more than 50 annual celebrations, concerts, and film screenings here, making it a regular gathering point for live music and community events. Visit Roanoke lists the park’s main contact as (540) 853-2000.
Plan Your Night
Doors open at 6pm on Thursday, July 30th. Arrive early to claim a spot on the terraced lawn and settle in before the first song kicks off. For the latest details on tickets, parking access, and any updated event logistics, visit the official listing through the City of Roanoke or call Elmwood Park at (540) 853-2000. Bring a blanket, bring your friends, and get ready for two hours of the decade that refused to stay quiet.