MUSIC fans took a trip back in time last weekend as they headed to Rewind Festival at Henley-on-Thames.
The sun shone down on the Temple Island Meadows site on Saturday as fans clad in neon leg-warmers, lycra leggings and fancy dress turned out to watch the likes of Village People, Gloria Gaynor and Level 42 take to the main stage.
Lycra-clad exercise guru Mr Motivator took to the stage first thing, getting the crowd warmed up for the action ahead.
The breakfast television icon, who is based in Jamaica, said: “I have been invited to take part in the Rewind Festivals many times over the years, but it has always coincided with some other plans, so I am so glad I was able to get involved this year. It’s a fabulous crowd, the atmosphere is tremendous, I’ve seen people sitting in deck chairs getting up and throwing their arms around, it’s a great place to be.
“Most people in the UK over the age of 30 grew up with me, and I am honoured that they still turn up and applaud me.
“There are so many acts that I’m excited to see, people like The Sugar Hill Gang and Nik Kershaw were all part of my youth so I’m looking forward to that.”
Teen heartthrob Nick Heyward was a big hit with the ladies, while Nik Kershaw performed his hit ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ just as the sun was setting over the riverside venue.
He told The Wokingham Paper: “I’ve done this four or five times now, and you see some sights, but you do blank quite a lot out, you’ve got your own little world going on and trying not to forget the words! But then there’s a man there ina gorilla suit!
“I’ve been playing these songs for 30 years, you don’t always have the same amount of times, sometimes I’ve had as little as 20 minutes, sometimes I’ve had 45 minutes which makes a big difference.
“I’ve just caught a bit of Level 42, there’s some great acts this evening, Village People is going to be a good show.
“Thanks to the people of Henley for supporting Rewind for the last nine years, the people who keep coming out and having a great time.”
Disco favourites Village People were one of the highlights of the evening, encouraging the 40,000-strong crowd to dance along to the iconic ‘Y.M.C.A’.
Sunday opened on another strong day, with 80s favourites Kim Appleby, who performed her hit ‘Respectable’ for the first time in over 20 years; punks Jilted John and former Sex Pistols member Glen Matlock; Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware, Rozalla, Owen Paul, all performed as The British Electric Foundation, paying tribute to George Michael who passed away at Christmas.
Liverpool-singer Sonia kept the crowds smiling as the heavens opened, before Belinda Carlisle, Kim Wilde and Midge Ure took to the stage.
Midge said: “Open-air concerts in the UK are synonymous with rain!
“This festival in particular is great, the whole layout of the site is great, they do it so well. It’s a great chance for us old 80s guys to get together with friends and do a bit of socialising backstage!”
Rock legends Status Quo closed the festival in the pouring rain, with hits including Whatever you Want, Rockin All Over the World and Paper Plane.
The band return to the area later this year when they play The Hexagon, Reading, on November 30.
Check out our gallery of all the best bits from the weekend.
All photos by Dijana Capan/DVision-Images for The Wokingham Paper.
