Review Rewind North Festival, Capesthorne Hall, August 30 and 31

FROM the start to the finish, Rewind’s first festival in the north was a weekend to remember.

The tribute to the 1980s featured 24 blasts from the past watched by around 20,000 fans.

And as you entered the magnificent grounds of Capesthorne Hall you had to admire the crowd for their effort in leg warmers, fancy dress, wigs and shell suits.

The show held on a big stage with the hall in the background, began with The Real Thing on Saturday afternoon taking the fans back in time for a trip down memory lane.

The line-up on both days was like a vintage wine getting better with age.

The artists performed a selection of their most popular hits of that era.

Despite the weather on Saturday people’s spirits were never dampened and the jubilant crowd danced and sang all weekend.

Sunday carried on with a colourful crowd appearing more flamboyant in the warm Cheshire sunshine.

With a line-up to be proud of, Clive Jackson from Doctor and the Medics was the perfect compere keeping the crowds entertained between sets.

The event drew to a close with Holly Johnson singing his personal favourite The Power of Love followed by a spectacular firework display bringing the fantastic weekend to an explosive finale.

The whole event was not be missed but if pressed for a favourite it had to be Jimmy Somerville or Tony Hadley – don’t make me choose!

Level 42, Mike & The Mechanics, Go West, Rick Astley and Billy Ocean were also up there with the best.

It was also brilliant to see Tony Hadley, Nick Heyward and Sonia spend so much time with the fans.

Rewind North is a must for all 80s music lovers and I already can’t wait for the 2015 date to be announced.