Bow Wow Wow – A New Wave Invasion at the Tuscany’s Copa Room!

Bow Wow Wow played the Copa Room at the Tuscany Hotel and Casino on Friday, January 16, 2026.

In the 80s, there were floods of post-punk/new wave bands. While a handful of them ascended to superstardom, many were condemned to the dreaded one-hit wonder status. Bow Wow Wow is one such band. Fronted by the charismatic Annabella Lwin and managed by the infamous Malcolm McLaren, the group had everything going for them but was largely lost in the shuffle, with their single biggest hit being a cover of “I Want Candy,” which had been a hit for the Strangeloves back in the 1960s.

Most of the concerts I attend are classic rock/hard rock/heavy metal gigs, so Bow Wow Wow is definitely a bit out of my usual wheelhouse! My familiarity with the group is admittedly limited, but I’m always looking to broaden my musical horizons. When I was give the last-minute opportunity to attend the gig at Tuscany, I decided to go for it; this was my first concert of 2026.

The Copa Room at the Tuscany (not to be confused with the similarly named venue at the Bootlegger bar/restaurant on South Las Vegas Blvd.) has really stepped up their game in recent months, following the closure of Count’s Vamp’d last June, taking on many of the shows that may have otherwise played at Danny Koker’s former venue. The staff here are great folks who take care of their patrons and concertgoers, as well as the performers. Some shows admittedly start and run a bit too late (much of this can be attributed to sharing the room with other events, including an ongoing Rat Pack tribute show), but I was delighted to hear this show would open doors around 7, and start around 8. This seriously needs to become the norm in this town when it comes to live entertainment!

I admittedly had to do some research on Bow Wow Wow prior to this gig; my knowledge of the band was limited to their cover of “I Want Candy.” Like many bands out there due to legal disputes and the like, there are multiple versions of the band. One with classic bassist Leigh Gorman (this incarnation also includes Vegas-based musicians Zachary Throne and Les Warner), and one with Annabella Lwin and additional musicians. The group playing Tuscany on this evening was the Lwin version. Going in relatively blind, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Thankfully, what I got was a pretty good time.

Obviously, Lwin is going to be the most noticeable attraction and highlight of any Bow Wow Wow show. This woman (who will turn 60 this year!) has a style on her own, both of terms of fashion and vocals alike. She owns any stage she’s on, and unlike many of her contemporaries, still has vocals that are quite strong. Between songs, she entertained the audience with stories of her past band members, more humorous moments, and preached message of positivity and togetherness. The fact that she did the latter without getting political was much appreciated. This music fan was also pleased to see that the venue was quite full, proving that Tuscany’s Copa Room can certainly attract and book more than just rock tributes.

Lwin’s additional musicians were more than capable of the task of bringing these tunes back to life. Bow Wow Wow’s influences have always been all over the place, and it showed in nearly every song, from the band’s originals, to an unexpected (but certainly excellent!) Peggy Lee cover. One thing that truly surprised me was the drum sounds, which sounded more like something out of a surf rock band or a tribe. That Lwin and company were only known for a single song back in the day (a cover no less) is criminal. Though despite that, as I expected, they closed the evening with “I Want Candy,” to an enthusiastic crowd. The show started around 8:00 PM, and was done around 9:00 PM, giving the audience an hour of great post-punk/new wave/rock sounds that started and ended at an earlier hour than is often the norm in the venue, which was much appreciated.

I always enjoy a good evening of music at the Tuscany’s Copa Room, and this gig from Bow Wow Wow, while definitely off the beaten path of my normal musical exploits, was no less excellent. Annabella Lwin still knows how to own a stage, and she’s recruited some damn fine musicians to keep her sounds alive. Even if your knowledge is as limited as mine and “I Want Candy” is the only song you’ve heard, you owe it to yourself to check out Bow Wow Wow live. You may be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.