ShareFlashback to the 80’s at Clumber Park on Saturday 22nd August 2015, featuring Soul II Soul, Toyah Wilcox, 5 Star, Jason Donovan, Marc Almond and The Human League.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
It was the rain that dominated the second day of pop nostalgia at the 80’s Flashback Festival at Clumber Park, but whilst this packed crowd donned waterproofs and brollies, their enthusiasm for good 80’s music was not in any way dampened. The regular compere for the Saturday night slot, Clive Jackson, the Doctor from Doctor & The Medics was unfortunately unable to attend. Toyah Wilcox took up the mantle and did a great job keeping the party going.
Soul II Soul hogged the sunshine and had the crowd on their feet with their hits including, Keep On Movin’ and Back To Life before handing the stage over to Toyah for her set. With a huge back catalogue of hits, she did not disappoint with old tracks such as Good Morning Universe and I Want To Be Free. Covers included a sterling performance of Guns ‘n’ Roses Sweet Child Of Mine, before finishing with It’s A Mystery.
Next up was 5 Star, now just a foursome. Their loyal fan base was there at the front to sing along to classics such as System Addict, Rain Or Shine and Can’t Wait Another Minute and with their slick choreography it was easy to see why they were originally marketed as the British Jackson 5.
With the rain pouring down, Jason Donovan tried very hard to bring some Aussie sunshine to the proceedings. Reminding us just why he was an 80’s heartthrob, his cover of Don’t Leave Me This Way, had the crowd up on their feet. His other numbers included Any Dream Will Do and Sealed With A Kiss, before finishing his set with Especially For You.
Marc Almond brought class to the Festival as he effortlessly delivered a fantastic version of Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart, together with his all sing along hits like Tainted Love and Say Hello, Wave Goodbye.
Closing this weekend of music was The Human League whose popular synth music made this audience forget about the rain. With fancy dress costumes soaked through and make up running down their faces, this audience sang their hearts out to numbers such Love Action (I Believe In Love), Mirror Man and Don’t You Want Me.
With the awful weather already a forgotten memory, it was the music that had saved the day. It was surprising to recall just how good some 80’s music was, and like a bottle of red wine, it seems to get better with age.
