William Crossley winds back musical time looking ahead to this weekend’s Rewind Festival, celebrating the sounds of the 1980s

The fashions and hairstyles of the 1980s may, mercifully, be long gone but the decade’s music lives on and some of the decade’s greatest hits can once again be enjoyed at this weekend’s Rewind festival in South Oxfordshire.

The event, held near Henley, is now in its eighth year and a firm fixture on the summer festival calendar, proving so popular that it has now spawned offshoots in the north of England and Scotland, plus overseas versions in Dubai, South Africa and Thailand.

About 40,000 people are expected to attend over the weekend to enjoy a diverse line-up featuring acts that formed the soundtrack to the adolescence of those of a certain age, myself included.

Friday night’s proceedings feature a Welcome Party with The Wurzels bringing their ‘scrumpy and western’ sounds to the Riverside stage.

A special feature of Saturday’s bill will be the appearance by singer Tony Hadley, who made his name with New Romantic act Spandau Ballet, performing at a festival with full orchestral backing for the first time with the Southbank Sinfonia.

And legendary music producer Trevor Horn, who founded The Buggles and wrote the hit Video Killed the Radio Star, which was the first video ever shown on MTV when it was launched in 1981, brings his band to the festival. Over the years he has produced albums for the likes of Paul McCartney, Cher, Tina Turner, Gary Barlow, Belle and Sebastian, Kylie Minogue, Marc Almond, Jeff Beck, Genesis, Tom Jones and Olly Murs.

Also on the bill for Saturday are Rick Astley, Andy Bell of Erasure, Jimmy Somerville, the one time- frontman of the Communards and Bronski Beat, Lloyd Cole, Leo Sayer, Toyah, dance music legends Snap!, who created the best-selling single Rhythm is a Dancer, The Belle Stars, Hazell Dean and soul act The Real Thing.

A highlight of the bill on Sunday will be a special segment featuring the British Electric Foundation, with Heaven 17’s musicians, plus a sequence of guest singers including Mari Wilson, Peter Hooton of the Farm, Jaki Graham, Claudia Brücken of German synthesiser outfit Propaganda and Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory.

The rest of the line-up is as diverse at Saturday’s fare, with vocalists including Heather Small of M People, Nik Kershaw, Marc Almond of Soft Cell, Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals and Adam Ant.

Groups on the bill range from ska revivalists The Beat and the jazz-soul of the Earth Wind and Fire Experience to pop-funk outfit Living in a Box and The Blockheads, for many years the backing band of the late Ian Dury.

As well as the headline acts, the festival’s Riverside Stage will feature the best of local live acts all weekend.

A festival spokesman said: “This year’s extravaganza features another outstanding line-up of iconic 80s recording artists and performers.

“And this year’s Rewind sees 14 new acts make their debut performances at the festival.

“In addition to non-stop 80s music, Rewind will also feature a number of additional highlights, including a silent disco, live karaoke bar, funfair and Kidzone, and there are plenty of camping options for anyone wanting to make a weekend of it.

“Rewind has sold out in advance for the past three years, so don’t dare miss it.”

Rewind 2016 takes place at Temple Island Meadows, Henley, from Friday to Sunday. A limited number of day tickets are still available for both Saturday and Sunday, along with weekend tickets and weekend camping tickets.

The festival site is on the south bank of the River Thames, with a signposted access route off the A4130 Henley to Maidenhead road. Car parking at the site is free. There will also be river taxis from Henley town centre or the walk along the Thames towpath is about a mile-and-a-half.

For full details of the festival line-up and to book tickets, go to rewindfestival.com