Tim Hughes finds out why the popular nostalgiathon known as Rewind has proven to be such a big draw with music lovers

DIG out those lurid legwarmers, ra-ra skirts or acid-washed jeans, because, for one weekend only, the 1980s are back.

Yes, the decade that taste forgot is being relived in all its shoulder-padded glory at Rewind – it is the world’s biggest ’80s festival and takes place this weekend beside the Thames at Henley.

Attracting 40,000 festival-goers and more than 25 bands, Rewind pulls in a mixed bunch of fun-seekers who snap up every last weekend ticket well in advance. And this year is no different.

Festival director David Heartfield said this year’s gathering would be the best yet. “As with previous star-studded festivals, this year’s Rewind features another stellar line-up of the crème de la crème of ’80s recording artists and performers,” he said.

Two major draws at this year’s event will be an exclusive UK festival performance from iconic party pop band The B-52s, followed by a rare appearance from American R&B pop divas The Pointer Sisters.

The B-52s sold 20 million albums over their 35-year career. Anthems include the irresistible Rock Lobster and chart-topping hits Love Shack, Roam and Deadbeat Club. But their appeal also lies in their showmanship.

Other big name performers include Kim Wilde, The Sugarhill Gang, Nik Kershaw, Belinda Carlisle, Blancmange, Sonia, The Blow Monkeys, Cutting Crew, Heaven 17, Then Jerico, Billy Ocean, ABC, Paul Carrack, Matt Bianco, Aswad and Imagination. Bending the rules slightly are ’70s star Steve Harley and The One and Only singer Chesney Hawkes – whose big hit was in the ‘90s.

Now in its fifth year, the event has always been a magnet for retro-pop stars. Boy George, Village People, The Human League, Gloria Gaynor, Kool & The Gang, Holly Johnson and Bananarama have all graced its main stage. Indeed, so successful is its formula of sing-along charts pop that it has spawned sister festivals at Scone Palace in Perth and in South Africa. Events are also planned for Dubai and Bangkok later this year.

David, who is also managing director of Henley-based Impresario Festivals, said the event was the result of a suggestion from T’Pau frontwoman Carol Decker. “It came about by accident really,” he recalls.

“We were looking at doing something different and Carol suggested getting an ’80s show together. We did it and it was an enormous success, so we did it again, and those concerts grew into Rewind at Henley – and now around the world.”

And why does the music of the ‘80s endure today? “It is difficult to pin down,” he admits. “It’s partly nostalgia but the music also resonates with people. Like now, we were not in the best economic times in the 1980s, but this is a feelgood event that is all about escapism.

“I don’t think any other decade has such a strong identity. It was a time when music was well-written but before it got too worthy.”

And the music is diverse. “We have everything from The Sugarhill Gang playing hip-hop to Aswad performing reggae and Kim Wilde singing pop.”

Indeed, hip-hop pioneers The Sugarhill Gang are set to be a festival highlight. Famous for their debut Rapper’s Delight, the New Yorkers helped make hip-hop radio-friendly and commercial.

At the opposite end of the ‘cool’ spectrum, but equally likely to draw a crowd, are The Flying Pickets.

Formed in 1982 by members of a socialist fringe theatre group, the a cappella singers were signed to Virgin Records, in 1983 releasing the hit Only You. The cover of a song by Yazoo went straight to Number One in the charts and stayed there for five weeks over Christmas. Since then there have been more than 25 members of the band and they have released 11 albums in 30 years.

Another group renowned for their vocal talent, The Pointer Sisters are infrequent visitors to our shores and Rewind presents one of the few chances to see the group playing live. Beginning their formal vocal training in their father’s church in California, Ruth Anika and Sadako have achieved worldwide success and a place in pop history. The brassy, up-tempo girls are at their best on debut album Break Out. They headline on Sunday, bringing the festival to a suitably anthemic conclusion.

So what kind of people are Rewinders? “They are a very mixed bunch,” says David. “Most of the audience are 30 and 40-somethings, though some would have been very young in the ’80s and many people too young to have heard this music first time around. We also have an enormous number of hen parties and lots of people who like to dress-up and have a good time.

“The music is like a giant conveyor belt of pop, and there is a host of other things to do, from karaoke, to themed bars, a bandstand and an inflatable church. It’s lots of fun.”

  • LIVE: Rewind runs from tomorrow to Sunday at Temple Island Meadows, Henley-on-Thames. Weekend tickets have sold out. Sunday tickets may still be available ( £55 adults, £27.50 children) from rewindfestival.com