eonmusic: music for life.
  • Home
  • News
  • Interviews
  • Video
  • Reviews
  • Features

Rewind Festival 2022 Brings the ‘80s & ‘90s Roaring Back to Henley.

22/8/2022

0 Comments

 
The music, icons, and memories of a bygone era came flooding back this past weekend (Fri 19th – Sun 21st August, 2022), as Rewind Festival’s celebration of all things 1980s and 1990s returned to Henley-Upon-Thames. Taking place as it has done since 2009 at Temple Island Meadows, the weekend saw the final Rewind of the summer, following events in Scotland and the north of England.
Picture
Photo: Eamon O'Neill.
Featuring a host of big names from the loudest decades in music, Rewind South featured sets from headliners The Human League and Holly Johnson, as well as the likes of Kim Wilde, Belinda Carlisle, and Heather Small. Compared by The Doctor from Doctor and the Medics, and Mr. Fun House himself, Pat Sharp, the festival proved the perfect pop package for those of a certain vintage.

With attendees gathering in their thousands to bask in the glorious sunshine, the annual festival easily lived up to its reputation as the most fun event of the summer. With many making the effort to dress up as icons from the era, the site was awash with colour, with the likes of Ivor the Engine, the Three Amigos, Freddie Mercury in his various guises, Captain Caveman, Yogi Bear, and E.T. brought to life once more.

While the crowd provided a feast for the eyes and a great source of retro amusement, the soundtrack was supplied by some of the era’s most recognisable names.

Kicking off on Saturday (20th August) following a welcome party featuring the ska and two-tone sounds of Neville Staple the night before, ABBA tribute Bjorn Again opened things up before rockabilly luminaire Slim Jim Phantom brought things right back to the start, with his 1950s’ rock ‘n’ roll show. Playing his own hits as well as those by Eddie Cochran – including a rousing ‘Summertime Blues’ and others, the the Stray Cats man thanked those who turned up early for his set and for; “forty years of taking me in over here!”
​

Gathering one of the biggest crowds of the weekend, Level 42’s afternoon slot easily proved one of the most popular of the weekend. Blasting through a number of their staples including an uproariously singalong ‘Running in the Family’ and ‘Lessons in Love’, band leader Mark King quipped; “you look fantastic Henley. We should pay to see YOU guys!”
Picture
Photo: Eamon O'Neill.
Following a short sets from electro pioneers Blamanche, soul stars Odyssey, and sophisti-pop favourites Johnny Hates Jazz, Belinda Carlisle proved exactly why she’s still one of Rewind’s favourite acts. Opening with the anthemic ‘Live Your Life Be Free’, she touched on all her biggest hits; from the dreamy ‘Circle in the Sand’ to 1987 U.K. number one smash ‘Heaven is a Place on Earth’.

More usually seen these days with her gardening gloves on, Kim Wilde quipped; “I’m so happy to be here tonight. Got me off the allotment!”, before firing through her catalogue, which concluded with a particularly nostalgia-inducing ‘Kids in America’.
​
With the night coming to a close, Holly Johnson played his solo hits including 1989 top 5 singles ‘Americanos’ and ‘Love Train’, as well as a few choice covers including a not so subtle take on Sylvester’s ‘Do You Want to Funk’. However it was of course the Frankie Goes to Hollywood songs that most had come to hear, and the closing trio of ‘Relax’, ‘Two Tribes’, and “my favourite song”, the epic ‘The Power of Love’ brought Rewind South, day one to a euphoric, and emotional end.
Picture
Photo: Gerry Driver @ Photogroupie.com.
With Sunday (21st August) continuing the glorious sunshine, Ireland’s Hothouse Flowers were the perfect band to ensure the good vibes continued. Getting the party going with their Irish melodies, catchy tunes, and deft showmanship of frontman Liam Ó Maonlaí, it was an energetic start to the day.

With the two-tone sounds of The Selecter delivering the perfect afternoon playlist, The Real Thing brought back the disco era before Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey delivered a set of pure pop perfection. “I think we’re gonna have fun this afternoon”, declared Bailey, before delving into the tracks that earned his former outfit a place on the Live Aid bill in 1985 including ‘Doctor Doctor’ and the always incredible ‘Hold Me Now’.

Going forward into 1990s’ territory, Tunde from The Lighthouse Family’s easy listening vibes soundtracked the sunset before the sassy Heather Small performed the M People and solo hits that made her name.
Picture
Photo: Eamon O'Neill.
Pop royalty thanks to his involvement in not only Ultravox, Visage and Thin Lizzy, but being the co-mastermind behind Band Aid, Midge Ure delivered a tight set of his greatest collaborations. With a dramatic ‘Fade to Grey’ ringing out over the festival site, only the emotive ‘Vienna’ proved more powerful.

And so it fell to Sheffield’s finest electro-pop outfit to bring down the curtain on another incredible Rewind. “We're the Human League, nice to see you!”, declared a relaxed Phil Oaky following the opening ‘The Sound of the Crowd’.
Going on to cover all the classic tracks from across their career including the synth-pop staples ‘Love Action (I Believe in Love)’ and ‘Keep Feeling Fascination’, and the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-produced ‘Human’, it was a night simply packed with hits.
​
Celebrating over four decades together, singer Susan Ann Sulley said; “we couldn't do this without you lot. The only reason why we’re here is because of you, so from the bottom of our hearts thank you very much”.
Picture
Photo: Gerry Driver @ Photogroupie.com.
Closing, the band saved perhaps the ultimate 80s’ anthem until last, with Oakey and Giorgio Moroder track ‘Together in Electric Dreams’. With its evocative chorus that perfectly encapsulates the Rewind ethos, it was the perfect end to the night, and the event.

Rewind Festival returns in 2023, with events in Perth, Scotland, Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield, and Henley-Upon-Thames. For tickets, info, and more, visit the official Rewind site.

Stay tuned for our interviews with Chesney Hawkes, Tom Bailey, Johnny Hates Jazz, The Selecter and more from Rewind 2022.


With thanks to our friends at Photogroupie for the shots. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    EXCLUSIVE: Rex Brown on Pantera's Rise and Fall, & Why Their Glam Years Will Remain Buried.
    Picture
    His love of U2, and Anthrax's "Big" plans for 2021: We Talk 'Silver Linings' with Charlie Benante.
    Picture
    WORLD EXCLUSIVE: "There will definitely be no more Sabbath – it’s done", says Geezer Butler.
    Picture
    EXCLUSIVE: David Coverdale's Plans to Remix Whitesnake's Works, & His Pride and Joy in Coverdale Page.
    Picture
    Steve Lukather on the end of Toto, and the loss of Eddie Van Halen.
    Picture
    EXCLUSIVE: Trey Spruance Charts the Return of Mr. Bungle.
    Picture
    Rory Gallagher Remembered; 25 Years Gone.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    September 2015

© 2016 - 2025 eonmusic.co.uk

Contact: [email protected]
ABOUT
  • Home
  • News
  • Interviews
  • Video
  • Reviews
  • Features