I had been quite laid back about the festival, looking
forward to hearing some great music in the wonderful sunshine, but got panicked
when there seemed to be a problem on the A1(M) and traffic was not moving. My
husband did not think we would get there in time. He was wrong. We arrived in
perfect time and queued to go in. Until this point I thought it was an outdoor
concert, but they had changed their minds last minute and unbeknown to us (we
brought sunscreen and a blanket with us) it was moved indoors.
We decided to sit on the raised part halfway back so we
would have a good view but still hear the sound quality of the music.
Katrina
First up was Katrina (from Katrina and the waves) Boy can
that girl sing. My husband commented on
how great she looked for her age (although neither of us know her age!). It is a shame her style of music is out of
favour currently (a rocky feel to it) but I loved her and thought she gave an
excellent performance. She stopped “Walking on Sunshine” as it was out of tune
and started the whole song again. I liked this. This is someone who really
wants to give a good performance. Well done Katrina.
Dr and the Medics
We all know they only had one famous hit which was a cover
version anyway, so I was not sure what to expect from the Doctor. It started
with a cyberman smashing a Dalek on stage. Yes you read that right! Doctor from
Dr and the Medics is totally mad and was good fun to watch. He sung a range of
80’s songs such as Dead or Alive’s “you spin me round”, Billy Idol’s “White
Wedding” and The Cult’s “sanctuary”, all of which suited his voice and really
gave an 80’s atmosphere. His young back-up singer was very energetic and
reminded me of Mimi from Rent (for those of you who know that musical). The Doctor, of course, did his version of “Spirit
in the sky”. He came out to sign and sell his CD afterwards, and part of me
thought that a bit sad, but there were many parting with their money to buy a
cover version CD.
Howard Jones
Howard Jones is more my husband’s taste than mine and he
really enjoyed him. I liked the songs I knew but found his microphone wasn’t
giving out a good sound (he had one of those head things). I thought “new song”
and “Like to get to know you well” went down really well with the audience and
my husband really thought Howard was great and was dancing away.
Heaven 17
I have to declare an interest here that this is the reason I
bought a ticket. I saw Heaven 17 in 2010 doing the Penthouse and Pavement album
and they were awesome. My only regret was not taking my camera out of my bag,
so I didn’t want to make the same mistake. I told my husband that I wanted to
be at the front as this was not a problem as in-between the acts everyone went
outside to enjoy the sunshine or have a cigarette break. We moved to the front
bar but 10 minutes later some very drunk man was shouting abuse at me for “taking
his space”. He obviously hasn’t been to a New Order gig! (Read my blog on the
Birmingham New Order gig to find out more). He was threatening to hit me and my
husband (who was standing behind me so not to take up too much room). I told
him I loved Heaven 17 and this is why I bought my ticket and he could have this
space back for ABC if he wanted. He was so abuse that his wife (who was also very
drunk) told him to go outside. I did not see him for the rest of the Heaven 17
session, but it was not a good start and I was a bit on edge.
Heaven 17 came in and did a really amazing set. It included “Fascist
groove thang”, “Penthouse and Pavement” (I LOVE both those tracks), Crushed by
the wheels of industry (not a fav but enjoyable), “Come live with me” (as the
drunk woman was standing next to me shouting it out). When Glenn said the next
song was going to be “Geisha boys and temple girls” I shouted out that I love
that song. He heard me and said he also loves it but it has a lot of words to
remember. (I remember thinking it was just as well he wasn’t going to sing “soul
warfare” then!). I sang along with him
to a song that not everyone in the audience would know. It was fantastic. At
the end of the song he pointed at me and asked my name. I told him and he told
the audience that I knew all the words to this song and then asked me if I
could come to all his gigs to remind him of the words to his songs! (The answer
is a definite YES!). I was so chuffed he
name checked me to the whole audience and it made all the aggravation with the
drunks worth the effort. This is why you need to be at the front people!!!
Glenn sang a fantastic version of “sign my name”the Terrance
Trent D’arby song that was originally produced by none other than our own Martyn
Ware (Did I mention Martyn Ware is a musical genius?! Well he is!!). This was such a great version and I think
this helped turn my husband into more of a fan (I am slowly converting him!).
They also did an amazing version of Temptation mixed it with
“love to love you baby” which was out of this world. The crowd were going
crazy!
I was gutted that they had to go, telling us we had been a
fab audience, when actually they had given us a fab performance.
After they left the stage, an American guy came over and
said I must be a true fan and I looked like I was having a great time. I told
him that Penthouse and Pavement is one of my five favourite albums of all time (H17
are in good company here alongside Bowie and Pink Floyd!). He then went on to tell me he met the band
outside and they reproduced the Penthouse cover and showed me the photos on his
camera. I was a bit gutted. How much I would love to have my photos taken with
them? (That is a rhetorical question as I would LOVE to!). I nipped outside for some fresh air (and to
hopefully “accidentally” bump into Heaven 17), but I couldn’t see them.
ABC
We came back in for ABC who did a good set including all
their famous tracks. I have seen ABC before (when they supported Robbie
Williams) but for me I had already seen what I had come to see (H17) so was
happy to move back towards the back of the venue where it was a bit
cooler. We sang and danced to “poison
arrow” “all of my heart” and “look of love”. Martyn Fry looked very smart in his suit.
I had a wonderful time at the Ultimate 80’s gig, but have
two unanswered questions. Firstly why do people pay to go to see a band and
then get so drunk that they can’t appreciate the effort the artists are making
and actually ruin other people’s enjoyment?
The second question is although I understand completely that
it was called Ultimate 80’s, why did some people feel the need to revisit some
of the dreadful 80’s clothes styles? I saw a lady with a neon orange see
through vest top, a lady with a black lace dress and bow in her hair (aka
Madonna) and many polka dot dresses and clashing jewellery. These were not
young people, but my peer group who remember it all the first time around. I
never liked polka dots and feel a bit old for leg-warmers!
This experience has prompted me to think about my own
ultimate 80’s gig. If I was going to arrange something that symbolised the 80’s
to me personally, who would I have? (Besides Heaven 17 of course!). I would
have to include Culture Club, Frankie goes to Hollywood, and a lot of high
energy music, and I suppose a bit of early Madonna, Duran Duran, soft cell and Wham. If
any of those bands fancy getting together I am happy to arrange it and find a
venue!!
I would NOT have Rick Astley. I consider the 80’s good before
1985. I hate Rick Astley’s “never gonna give you up” and consider that it
belongs along with those leg warmers and polka dots. Who would be in your
ultimate 80’s gig? It makes you think!!
To view my photos of this event, please visit my flickr account. www.flickr.com/jasminestormie
To view my photos of this event, please visit my flickr account. www.flickr.com/jasminestormie
