This is the second year of the Retrospective Festival. What is it you may ask? Well if you liked artists from the 80s and 90s then this is the place you want to be. Last year I could not find my way in, this year went much smoother! I set off early with it being a Friday and the motorway was at a standstill so I took all the back roads to get there.
In the press tent
A warm welcome this year from the gentleman at the security gate, who told me where I could park, and then I went to get my pass from the box office. These days I feel out of my comfort zone when attending big outdoor events that I am not familiar with, so the friendly and helpful staff make it less stressful for me.
I am taken over to the press tent, adorned with large hanging mirror balls (I would love these at my house!) and a pretty flowery background. Very impressive. I do not stay in this area long as once the concert starts it is a quick turnover of the acts so I stay in the backstage area ready to go in the pit.
The concert is held in a massive open sided marquee that holds the 10,000 people that are here to party! They are dressed in shell suits (which I am told are coming back into fashion) and fluorescent outfits, or just regular outfits – everyone is welcome.
There is one person I really want to see tonight – Pete Waterman. What he has done for pop music and the artists is incredible and given the public great songs to enjoy. He is a legend.
Sybil starts the line-up, then Pete Waterman comes on
First on stage is Sybil. I have to admit that I have forgotten her songs. Sybil IIona Lynch is an American R&B and pop singer. She is the cousin of En Vogue singer Maxine Jones! She began recording in 1986. ‘Falling In Love’, Don’t Make Me Over’, ‘Walk On By’ – the latter two Dionne Warwick songs. In January 1993 her cover of ‘The Love I Lost’ peaked at number 3 in the Uk charts. ‘When I’m Good And Ready’ peaked at number 5. During this time she was working with PWL Records, who were Stock, Aitken and Waterman.
Suddenly Pete Waterman comes on stage and hugs Sybil. The crowd start chanting, Pete, Pete, Pete. I can see he is very emotional. As you get older you do get more emotional and it is harder to hide your feelings! He tells the crowd what a wonderful person Sybil is and how he loved working with her.
Carol Decker, and next The Fizz
Carol Decker of T’Pau is the next act. Remember ‘China In Your Hand’ – five weeks at number one in the UK charts. ‘Heart And Soul’ – which reached number 4 in the US Billboard chart after featuring on a Pepe Jeans advert! ‘Valentine’, ‘Secret Garden’, ‘Whenever You Need Me’. Carol sings them all with emotion.
The Fizz are next. You and me know them as Bucks Fizz. The line up now is Cheryl Baker, Jay Aston, Matthew Pateman and Nikk Mager. They look sparkly. There are a few problems with sound and microphones have been mixed up, but once that is sorted the hits flow. The ‘Land Of Make Believe’ is the song everyone knows but then we remember all the others – ‘Heart Of Stone’. ‘Rules Of The Game’, ‘When We Were Young’, ‘London Town’, ‘Talking In Your Sleep’, ‘Golden Days’, ‘I Hear Talk’. ‘You And Your Heart So Blue’, ‘Magical’, ’New Beginning’, ‘Love The One You’re With’, ‘Keep Each Other Warm’. The crowd go crazy for them.
Time for a DJ set with Pat Sharp. This crowd are here to dance and they don’t stop during his one hour set. Pat tells the audience he is 65 and known best for his children’s tv programme ‘Fun House’ – they roar with approval. They obviously enjoyed watching it.
Nadine Coyle, what a performance!
Nadine Coyle (Girls Aloud) is next. The atmosphere is charged. I am looking forward to seeing her perform as I used to take photos of Girls Aloud from when they first started and they were so young. Over the years they looked more polished, obviously had the best stylists and make-up artists. I always knew I would get a great picture of them. Nadine is wearing black leather shorts, black top and a jacket that is far too big for her. Her hair is slicked back in a ponytail. She has hardly any make up on and looks very different from how I used to see her. She looks young and smiles at faces she recognises. For the first three songs the microphone stand is in the way most of the time! I need a good shot but can’t get full length as the monitors are all across the front of the stage. ’Sound Of The Underground’, ‘Love Machine’, ‘Biology’, ’Something Kinda Ooooh’, ‘Call The Shots’, ‘The Promise’ – we know them all. Now that was a pop star performance.
Pete Waterman plays some of the hits he has written and produced
Pete Waterman is next with his DJ set. This man is 79 and still entertaining us! He plays many of the hits he has written and produced – at least 22 UK number one singles for artists Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Dead Or Alive’, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Steps, Mel and Kim, Donna Summer, Sinitta, Cliff Richard. 500 million sales worldwide. I admire the man for what he has achieved. Pete brought us pop music in a big way. Now he is more interested in miniature model railway sets and railways. He founded the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust which owns several steam and diesel locomotives. That might come as a surprise to quite a few of you. How does he have the energy for a DJ set? The crowd love him.
B*Witched almost at the end of the evening
B*Witched are next. Bouncy, pop that puts us all in a good mood. They wear co-ordinating colours. Adele and Keavy Lynch, Lindsay Armaou, Sinead O’Carroll.
‘C’est La Vie’, ‘Rollercoaster’, ’To You I Belong’, ‘Blame It On The Weatherman’. You can’t help but feel happy and sing along.
Heather Small (M People) ends the evening. What a voice. ‘Moving On Up’, ‘Proud’, ‘Perfect Day’ – so many songs that bring back memories.
What a great night of music and entertainment.
All pictures © Deborah Law
National Inclusion Week
Bylines network has signed up for National Inclusion Week. Progress doesn’t happen in perfect conditions. Listen, adapt and take action
Build trust. Navigate change.
