Let's Rock

It was a Fantastic Day for 80s nostalgia when Let's Rock held its first ever concert in London.

And for many of the artists, it would also have been a first for them, playing at the Olympic Park, which is firmly establishing as a venue for established artists.

The sun shone down as a huge line-up of artists appeared, so many in fact that Go West's set had to be cut short to fit everyone in, much to everyone's dismay.

So ensued the booing, and chants of We Want More as Go West's Peter Cox and Richard Drummie were told to leave the stage.

Their well-received set had included such chart-busters as We Close Our Eyes and Call me, but just before their finale of The King of Wishful Thinking, organisers pulled them abruptly from the stage.

Luckily, despite a burst of unrest from the 80s gig-goers, the crowds were finally appeased as act after act triumphed on the stage, proving that the 80s are very much alive and kicking.

Among the highlights were synth-maestro Howard Jones with his renditions of What is Love and New Song, Brother Beyond's Nathan Moore as he jumped into the crowd to sing The Harder I Try, and the ever-energetic Nick Heyward with Fantastic Day and Love Plus One.

Rick Astley also surprised many with his pumped-up version of Uptown Funk, which has since had thousands of views on You Tube. His set, which also included Never Gonna Give You Up and Whenever You Need Somebody, would certainly have met the expectations of the many people wearing I Love Rick t-shirts.

Another 80s heartthrob, Jason Donovan, also got the ladies on their feet with songs such as Especially for You and Too Many Broken Hearts.

But the female acts were by no means overshadowed as Kim Wilde took it up a level with her family band, playing Kids in America and You Keep Me Hanging On.

Banarama kept the female flag flying high as they sang hit after hit in their own unadulterated style.
Living up to their girls-next-door image, Keren Woodward and Sarah Dallin laughed and joked as they played massive hits such as Venus, I Heard a Rumour, and Cruel Summer, not even put off their stride when Keren couldn't hear through her ear-piece.

With the heat and dust cranking up, festive-goers went to get a well-earned drink but ended up queuing for over an hour each time. Note to Let's Rock – more serving staff next year please!

On a positive note, Shalamar were on hand to serve some soul to the event, getting people grooving to A Night to Remember and There It is, whilst Sonia and Sinitta brought some fun and scantily-clad male dancers into the equation.

Topping the bill was Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins, whose real atmospheric set proved a great climax to the day. He treated the 80s fans to his synth-led hits such as Doctor Doctor and In the Name of Love, closing the night with a spine-tingling rendition of Hold Me Now.

As the music stopped, and the crowd sang on, it was truly a piece of 80s heaven....and as the crowds left the Olympic Park for the night, the words Hold Me Now lingered on.