I’ve fancied going to Rewind for years. Its reputation as a Retro Festival is massive and this year I got to experience Rewind North and I wasnt disappointed.
The line up this year included Billy Ocean, Squeeze, Kim Wilde, Tiffany, Peter Hook, Midge Ure, Nik Kershaw and many more.
When I arrived on Saturday, Studio 54 Live were playing on the Main Stage. I love fun bands like these who play past classics of the Disco Era. They all looked and sounded amazing. I really enjoyed watching them.
My second treat of the Saturday line up was Boyzlife, Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden. I’ve seen them before at another festival and they really do get the crowd going with Westlife and Boyzone hits, they weren’t really my kind of music but this is a Fun Retro Festival so was singing along to their hits such as No Matter What and With You Looking Like That. I wish I’d have aged like these two.
Through the day I was treated to Tiffany, Bad Manners and Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals. Banger after Banger of ‘I think Were Alone Now‘ ‘Lip Up Fatty‘ and ‘Johnny Come Home‘ had the very large crowd in full voice. I took a walk around the arena too to check out some of the epic costumes people were wearing from Captain Caveman to He Man and She Ra.
I’d never seen Gabrielle live before but was gobsmacked how good her voice is.
I’d totally forgotten a lot of her hits including Rise Again and Dreams. I’m glad I got back to the stage for her.
Katrina, Altered Images and Nik Kershaw warmed me up for the person I was looking forward too a lot, Kim Wilde!!!!
She still looks and sounds amazing. ‘Never Trust a Stranger‘ as always been my favourite. There were some sound issues at the beginning but after that she treated us to ‘Kids in America‘, ‘Cambodia‘ and ‘You Keep Me Hanging On‘. Made my weekend.
Finishing off the Saturday line up was Billy Ocean, this guy is an absolute legend. He brought back so many memories of my youth with ‘Get out of my Dreams‘, ‘Caribbean Queen‘ and ‘When the going gets tough‘.
During the day I visited the Pink Flamingo tent and was really impressed Whole Lotta DC. People who were leaving were being drawn into the tent. They were brilliant!!!
On Sunday I was looking forward to some more bangers.
On the menu today was Peter Hook and the Light, Midge Ure, Tony Hadley, Aswad and Squeeze. I already knew I wouldnt be able to stay for Squeeze due to time restraints getting home.
Peter Hook, formerly of New Order, Monaco and Joy Division is always high up on the list to see at festivals. His backlog of work is very impressive. ‘Regret’, ‘Blue Monday’, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart Again’ and ‘What Do You Want From Me?‘ were all served up with his distinctive Bass style.
Spandau Ballets Tony Hadley was also brilliant, his voice is exactly the same and powerful as 40 years ago. ‘Gold’, ‘True’ and ‘To Cut A Long Story Short‘ were my favourites.
The Doctor from ‘Doctor and the Medics’ treated us to ‘Spirit In The Sky‘ as we awaited Midge Ure.
I never knew that Midge Ure had written ‘Fade To Grey’, I enjoyed him playing it as well as ‘Vienna’ and ‘If I Was’. As I was leaving for home I stopped and listened to ‘Dancing With Tears In My Eyes‘ which as child I had as a single, my favourite Ultravox song by far, was fitting it was the last song I heard.
As a whole Rewind is a fantastic festival, very friendly and a hell of a lot of fun. The beer was nice too.
I highly recommend this festival, best I’ve been to in years. I will defo be there next year………can i request Simple Minds and Alison Moyet next year? If not can I demand? 😉
Thank you for the experience.
Words and Photos by Philip Goddard
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