Pop fans party at retro festival

THOUSANDS of retro pop fans filled Temple Island Meadows at the weekend to enjoy the 14th Rewind South festival.

Twenty-two acts performed on Saturday and Sunday, including Squeeze, UB40, ABC, Toyah, Marc Almond, Tony Hadley, Nik Kershaw, Nick Heyward, China Crisis Big Country and Go West.

A mock Hollywood sign overlooked the meadows, which were filled with picnic blankets, camping chairs and decorative flags.

Revellers wore neon tutus, Choose Life George Michael
T-shirts, brightly coloured wigs and Boy George hats.

Boats lined the banks of the Thames with the people on board soaking up the atmosphere.

There were also groups of picnickers outside of the festival gates enjoying the warm weather and throwback music.

The main stage on Saturday was headlined by ABC, UB40 and and a below-par Andy Bell of Erasure fame. The Birmingham reggae band played their hits including Red Red Wine from 1983, which even younger members of the audience recognised.

They ended their set with a cover of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love.

After Bell’s performance, Martin Kemp gave a DJ set comprising Eighties classics.

Members of the audience stood on the picnic tables dancing as the former Spandau Ballet star mixed hits including Bryan Adams’s Summer of 69 and Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ Come On Eileen.

When the main stage music finished at 10pm the crowd spilled into the silent disco tent and the Pink Flamingo Club.

Sunday’s headliners were by Squeeze, Tony Hadley and Marc Almond. Hadley was wearing a blue blazer and jeans and performed from a pink bar stool because his was leg in a brace.

His set comprised Spandau Ballet’s To Cut a Long Story Short, Only When You Leave and True.

The night ended with a Rewind debut performance by Squeeze.

The group played songs from their Argybargy and Cool for Cats albums and finished with Black Coffee in Bed from their Sweets From a Stranger.

Other attractions included an inflatable church where festival goers could have a “marriage ceremony”.

They were dressed and made up by actresses and went into the church followed by a full congregation of revellers to be greeted by a DJ who was also “a vicar”.

Children took part in circus-themed activities, including tightrope walking and juggling.

Rewind regular Amelia Maude, of St Mark’s Road, Henley, said: “There’s just a great party atmosphere. It’s all just a bit bonkers, which is what I really like about it, something a bit different, particularly with everyone dressing up.

“Henley has an amazing life throughout the summer with so many amazing events. Rewind is just great fun.”

Lucy Isaac, from Sonning Common, said: “I love it. There’s a great atmosphere and it is one of the nicest festivals in my opinion.”

Nicki Allen, also from Sonning Common. said: “The amount of people dressed up is really nice — I feel very underdressed.”

Mark Hart, from Peppard, said: “It has a different feel to other festivals — everyone’s very relaxed, chilled and happy.”

Maria Loring of Hart street, Henley, said: “We come every year — we absolutely love it. Nick Kershaw singing as the sun goes down is just great.”

Natalie Lloyd, from Lewknor, got “married” in the inflatable church with two friends. She said: “This is our first year here and I think the inflatable church has to be our favourite part. We’ve had a great time.”

Simon Toulson-Clerk, a member of the pop group Red Box, performed at the festival with his daughter Katie Joy.

He said: “She has got to know the band and be comfortable around them over the years and I taught her a few chords on the guitar.

“Her godfather is the drummer and her best older buddy is our bass player.

“It was inevitable that when she wrote a song during covid we all went, ‘Well, you play, we’ll sing it. She’s really good and you’re definitely going to hear of her.”

Katie added: “I probably inherited my music taste a lot from my dad. There were always musicians around the house when I was a kid.”

Following the night’s festivities, many of the attendees continued celebrating the night in bars and pubs around Henley. Rewind producer Steve Porter said: “What a way to finish the Rewind season — a packed field in Henley. When we come to Henley we always feel like we are coming home as this is where the festival started and to be blessed with the weather was wonderful.

“There is nothing better than seeing a field full of Rewind fans singing along to their favourite classics and reliving the best of times to the best artists from a brilliant era.

“I would like to give a big shout-out to all our partners, McVities, Greatest Hits Radio and, of course, the Henley Standard, and to all the staff and crew who work so hard to make it happen.

“Plus, of course, all the fans who come along to be entertained every year. It really is one big family and we couldn’t do it without each other but it’s what makes Rewind the best.

“We can’t wait to be back in Henley with everyone next year.”