2025's Rewind South has taken place in its home of sixteen years, Henley-On-Thames, with a bill that saw the return of some of the retro festival's favourite acts, as well as some first timer old timers! Happening from 15th - 17th August at Temple Island Meadows, the event proved, as usual, a feast of fun for attendees and the acts.
Nostalgia is a powerful thing, and Rewind is positively abuzz with it. With the crowd ging back to their youth and fully embracing the retro ethos with fancy dress, it's likely that you'll bump into Mr. Blobby, Freddie Mercury in his many guises, or the Ghostbusters walking the towpath from the picturesque Henley-On-Thames to Templet Island Meadows, the event's spiritual home for the last decade and a half.
Music may be only part of the picture, but very good party needs a soundtrack, and over the next two days, Rewinders will be treated to an indecent amount of '80s and '90s hits, for the most fun event of the year.
Kicking off on Saturday (16th August), it fell to The Sugarhill Gang to press play on Rewind. The NYC originators hip hop and rap, with added MCs The Furious Five were the perfect act to get things going with, of course 'Rappers Delight' raising the loudest cheers.
Irish boyband survivors Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden followed, raiding the Boyzone and Westlife catalogues, under the banner of Boyzlife, while The South featuring former Beautiful South member Alison Wheeler did the same to the Paul Heaton songbook with hits including 'Carry on Regardless' and 'Perfect Ten'. While McFadden left following their set to catch a flight to Dublin to see Oasis, Wheeler enthused about the festival backstage, telling eonmusic; "this is one of my favourite festivals of the year; it's full of joy".
Making his Rewind debut, Junior seemed genuinely delighted to be on the Henley stage. "This is my first time, people!" he exclaimed ahead of signature song 'Mama Used to Say'; "It's lovely to see you out there!"
Cutting Crew chose to cover REM's 'The One I Love', as well as playing their own hits including a moving 'Berlin in Winter' - with singer Nick Van Eege draped in a Ukrainian flag - and contender for moment-of-the-weekend, in an incredible '(I Just) Died in your Arms.
Go West too dropped in a choice cover in Sam Sparro's 'Black and Gold', as well as their own earworms 'We Close Our Eyes' and 'King of Wishful Thinking', going down an absolute storm, as they always do.
ABC however, stole the show as Friday's band of the day. With a set that focused on their 1982 soul pop classic 'The Lexicon of Love', Martin Fry and co went over a storm with the Rewind faithful. Recalling the first ever Henley happening back in 2009 which also featured the band on the bill, the singer reminisced; "can it really be sixteen years since the first Rewind?! What an honour it is to come back and play!"
It was synth pop pioneers Soft Cell who brought the curtain down on day one. "Hello Rewinders!", proclaimed excited Rewind favourite Marc Almond as the duo - completed by instrumentalist David Bell - took to the stage. Fittingly bathed in dayglow pink and blue, the pair weaved their way through four decades of music, abetted by some stunning visuals including a late night stroll through an eerily deserted Soho. Despite some of the material being unfamiliar to a portion of the crowd who are more used to a hits-heavy set, the killer pairing of 'Tainted Love' and 'Say Hello Wave Goodbye' which closed out the night proved a just rewarded for those who had patience.
As Sunday (17th August) arrived and the weather finally broke at a sweltering 27c, it was ironic that Roachford chose to play 'Ain't No Sunshine'. The man sure has the soulful pipes, so who are we to argue? It was however, his own 'Cuddly Toy' that raised the roof for the earliest arrivals.
In between acts, with The Doctor from Doctor & The Medics comparing in his usual off-kilter style, he took time to remember a fallen music icon; "we lost a national treasure", he said; "let hear it for Ozzy Osbourne!", before spinning Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid'.
With the music continuing, The Selector's two-town sounds were perfect in the afternoon sunshine, with lead singer Pauline Black thanking the faithful for sticking by the band; "for 45 years we have stood on the front line", she said; "and you have stood here with us!"
With Henley favourites Nick Heyward and Haircut 100 proving their usual sunshine selves, former Bros idol Matt Goss made his Rewind debut, mixing up material from his former outfit along with some inspired covers. Bringing a touch of his long running Las Vegas residency to his performance, gone were the '80s production affections and sampled sounds, and in their place a seven-piece soul band. And while this approach really worked for 'Drop the Boy', opener 'I Owe You Nothing' and closer 'When will I be Famous' were barely recognisable from the originals. Matt should be commended meanwhile, for spending so much time meeting fans and posing for selfies with fans after his set.
Local Carol Decker and T'Pau then wowed with a passionate 'Heart and Soul', and epic 'China in your Hand', while a rabble-rousing Tenpole Tudor got the feet stomping and hands clapping with 'Swords of a Thousand Men'.
Chesney Hawkes - abetted by son Casey George Hawkes on guitar - meanwhile, proved that he still is the one and only, while the always dependable Heaven 17 reminded why they're still firm favourites with a blistering 'Temptation'.
It was Rewind virgins Blue however, who were the surprise hit of the day with the crowd, who really lapped up their 90s sounds.
However if one act's catalogue could sum up the Rewind vibe, its surely Midge Ure's. With a staggering amount of hits as both a performer and producer, the one-time Thin Lizzy player owned day two. From his own 'If I Was', to Visage's 'Fade the Grey', to Ultravox's 'Vienna', his performance was like an '80s festival bill within a festival. Despite recent undisclosed health issues, Ure proved simply stunning.
It was the star quality Holly Johnson which stole the show however. Belied by his utterly unassuming between-song banter - "there's so many of you here. I thought you'd be going home to avoid the crowds!" - the Frankie Goes to Hollywood icon powered his way through a mesmerising 'Welcome to the Pleasure Dome', a timely 'Two Tribes', and a juggernaut 'Relax'. Dedicating closer 'The Power of Love' to late partner of four decades, Wolfgang Kuhle the night ended on the most moving of moments.
Bringing together a vibrant mix of nostalgia, music, and festival spirit, Rewind South 2025 once again delivered a weekend to remember. With its riverside setting, an up-for-it crowd full of energy, and performances from performers that helped shape pop history, the festival remains remains one of the most fun events of the summer.
Returning to various locations including Henley-On-Thames, Rewind will be back in 2026. For the latest info, visit the official Rewind site.
Music may be only part of the picture, but very good party needs a soundtrack, and over the next two days, Rewinders will be treated to an indecent amount of '80s and '90s hits, for the most fun event of the year.
Kicking off on Saturday (16th August), it fell to The Sugarhill Gang to press play on Rewind. The NYC originators hip hop and rap, with added MCs The Furious Five were the perfect act to get things going with, of course 'Rappers Delight' raising the loudest cheers.
Irish boyband survivors Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden followed, raiding the Boyzone and Westlife catalogues, under the banner of Boyzlife, while The South featuring former Beautiful South member Alison Wheeler did the same to the Paul Heaton songbook with hits including 'Carry on Regardless' and 'Perfect Ten'. While McFadden left following their set to catch a flight to Dublin to see Oasis, Wheeler enthused about the festival backstage, telling eonmusic; "this is one of my favourite festivals of the year; it's full of joy".
Making his Rewind debut, Junior seemed genuinely delighted to be on the Henley stage. "This is my first time, people!" he exclaimed ahead of signature song 'Mama Used to Say'; "It's lovely to see you out there!"
Cutting Crew chose to cover REM's 'The One I Love', as well as playing their own hits including a moving 'Berlin in Winter' - with singer Nick Van Eege draped in a Ukrainian flag - and contender for moment-of-the-weekend, in an incredible '(I Just) Died in your Arms.
Go West too dropped in a choice cover in Sam Sparro's 'Black and Gold', as well as their own earworms 'We Close Our Eyes' and 'King of Wishful Thinking', going down an absolute storm, as they always do.
ABC however, stole the show as Friday's band of the day. With a set that focused on their 1982 soul pop classic 'The Lexicon of Love', Martin Fry and co went over a storm with the Rewind faithful. Recalling the first ever Henley happening back in 2009 which also featured the band on the bill, the singer reminisced; "can it really be sixteen years since the first Rewind?! What an honour it is to come back and play!"
It was synth pop pioneers Soft Cell who brought the curtain down on day one. "Hello Rewinders!", proclaimed excited Rewind favourite Marc Almond as the duo - completed by instrumentalist David Bell - took to the stage. Fittingly bathed in dayglow pink and blue, the pair weaved their way through four decades of music, abetted by some stunning visuals including a late night stroll through an eerily deserted Soho. Despite some of the material being unfamiliar to a portion of the crowd who are more used to a hits-heavy set, the killer pairing of 'Tainted Love' and 'Say Hello Wave Goodbye' which closed out the night proved a just rewarded for those who had patience.
As Sunday (17th August) arrived and the weather finally broke at a sweltering 27c, it was ironic that Roachford chose to play 'Ain't No Sunshine'. The man sure has the soulful pipes, so who are we to argue? It was however, his own 'Cuddly Toy' that raised the roof for the earliest arrivals.
In between acts, with The Doctor from Doctor & The Medics comparing in his usual off-kilter style, he took time to remember a fallen music icon; "we lost a national treasure", he said; "let hear it for Ozzy Osbourne!", before spinning Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid'.
With the music continuing, The Selector's two-town sounds were perfect in the afternoon sunshine, with lead singer Pauline Black thanking the faithful for sticking by the band; "for 45 years we have stood on the front line", she said; "and you have stood here with us!"
With Henley favourites Nick Heyward and Haircut 100 proving their usual sunshine selves, former Bros idol Matt Goss made his Rewind debut, mixing up material from his former outfit along with some inspired covers. Bringing a touch of his long running Las Vegas residency to his performance, gone were the '80s production affections and sampled sounds, and in their place a seven-piece soul band. And while this approach really worked for 'Drop the Boy', opener 'I Owe You Nothing' and closer 'When will I be Famous' were barely recognisable from the originals. Matt should be commended meanwhile, for spending so much time meeting fans and posing for selfies with fans after his set.
Local Carol Decker and T'Pau then wowed with a passionate 'Heart and Soul', and epic 'China in your Hand', while a rabble-rousing Tenpole Tudor got the feet stomping and hands clapping with 'Swords of a Thousand Men'.
Chesney Hawkes - abetted by son Casey George Hawkes on guitar - meanwhile, proved that he still is the one and only, while the always dependable Heaven 17 reminded why they're still firm favourites with a blistering 'Temptation'.
It was Rewind virgins Blue however, who were the surprise hit of the day with the crowd, who really lapped up their 90s sounds.
However if one act's catalogue could sum up the Rewind vibe, its surely Midge Ure's. With a staggering amount of hits as both a performer and producer, the one-time Thin Lizzy player owned day two. From his own 'If I Was', to Visage's 'Fade the Grey', to Ultravox's 'Vienna', his performance was like an '80s festival bill within a festival. Despite recent undisclosed health issues, Ure proved simply stunning.
It was the star quality Holly Johnson which stole the show however. Belied by his utterly unassuming between-song banter - "there's so many of you here. I thought you'd be going home to avoid the crowds!" - the Frankie Goes to Hollywood icon powered his way through a mesmerising 'Welcome to the Pleasure Dome', a timely 'Two Tribes', and a juggernaut 'Relax'. Dedicating closer 'The Power of Love' to late partner of four decades, Wolfgang Kuhle the night ended on the most moving of moments.
Bringing together a vibrant mix of nostalgia, music, and festival spirit, Rewind South 2025 once again delivered a weekend to remember. With its riverside setting, an up-for-it crowd full of energy, and performances from performers that helped shape pop history, the festival remains remains one of the most fun events of the summer.
Returning to various locations including Henley-On-Thames, Rewind will be back in 2026. For the latest info, visit the official Rewind site.