80s retro came to Liverpool on Saturday in the form of the hugely successful national 80s-themed music festival ‘Let’s Rock’.

Let’s rock is a festival that puts on 80s themed shows all sound the UK and Ireland every year, usually, in the summer they bring you some of the biggest names in music who all dominated the UK and international charts around the world during the 1980s.

Liverpool’s show was set to be something to remember with a stellar lineup of iconic artists like Pig Bag, Bad Manners, Chesney Hawkes, Belinda Carlisle, The Farm,  Leval 42, Billy Ocean, The Human League and many more. It was set to be an amazing day that would project a lot of the audience back to their childhood and teenage years of the 1980s.

NSG photographers Warren Millar, Billy Vitch and new boy to the team, Michael Edwards were there to bring you all the action. 

Now Britsh weather has always been a little unpredictable at best and yesterday was no exception. The weatherman said rain and so I went with that! Feeling a little disappointed with the forecast I packed my wellies, raincoat and camera gear and made my way to the meeting point for the press at ‘Lets Rock’ Liverpool’ in Wavertree’s ‘Mystery” Park, the Mystery park is an expansive public green space, the 104-acre park was given to Liverpool Corporation in 1895 by an anonymous city well-wisher — the reason why it is affectionately known as ‘The Mystery’. Later, it was discovered the mystery donor was Philip H. Holt a local shipping tycoon. Due to its proximity to Wavertree Sports Park (Aquatics, Tennis and Athletics Centre), it is a popular venue for cross-country running and other sporting events.

Arriving at the venue I noticed immediately how well organised it was set up from the free onsite parking to the orderly fashion the main entrance was with plenty of well informed security and venue staff. We were greeted by one of these lovely staff who gave us each a VIP wrist band which also gave us a complimentary drink and meal and made our way to the main stage to collect our press passes. I was a bit worried at the prospect of being stood in the rain at side stage for what was to be 12 hours (11am till 11pm) but to my surprise, we were ushered through a gate to the backstage hospitality and artist chill out area and greeted by one of wonderful Lets Rocks staff who gave us our passes and told us we were welcome to use the large backstage area and crew hospitality tent throughout the day.

After pitching up backstage and having a coffee I was starting to feel excited about the day ahead, it’s definitely a lot more relaxed being able to chill out backstage away from the crowd, a place to store your gear and get away from the forecasted rain for a while. Fortunately for most of the day, the rain gods were on our side and aside from the odd light shower, the weather was overcast yet warm until the rain came in the late evening in a fine drizzle but by then most people were that merry from a few drinks or a lot of drinks lol, to really care lol! The show starts with compere Pat Sharp, who some will remember as the blonde mullet-wearing children’s tv presenter who hosted the kid’s tv gameshow “Fun House’ in the 1980s and early 1990s giving the crowd a rundown of what to expect from the day ahead, he is then joined onstage by another iconic British kids tv presenter “David Benson Philips’  from the same era of kids tv as they proceed with the days itinerary whilst making jokes with each outer and having a good old laugh!

The live music kicks off with Post-Punk band ‘Pigbag’ whose debut album ‘Dr Heckle and Mr Jive‘ that they released in 1982, reached No.18 on the UK national charts and No.1 on the UK independent chart. It was a nice start to the day and although people were still arriving or settling into their chosen part of the field with their picnic blankets, unpacking food and drink etc, most stopped to listen to this amazing band! It’s not easy to be the first act to open any festival, let alone one on this level that sees more than 10.000 people attend, but these guys, experts in their craft, nailed it!

(Bad Manner_Credit: Billy Vitch)

Next up we have a band that we will all remember well, ‘Bad Manners’ who spent 111 weeks in the UK Singles Chart between 1980 and 1983, an English two-tone and ska band led by frontman Buster Bloodvessel. Early appearances included Top of the Pops and the live film documentary, Dance Craze. As they enter the stage the compere tells us that Buster who is their frontman is now 60 years of age, but it doesn’t seem like his age is a problem at all as he belts out some of their best hits and he totally owns the stage dressed in trainers, basketball shorts and a big colourful puffer jacket. We now have a little break and then we are treated to a fantastic set from ‘Scritti Politti’ who then lead us on to a super cool set from Lets Rocks house band playing whilst the audience uses the time to really settle in and get their drinks and food.

The festival is really filling up now and we start to see people in all kinds of fancy dress, mostly dressed as iconic artists from the 1980s or as tv characters from their favourite tv shows, shows like Baywatch and knight Rider. I’m really impressed with the whole festival set up, from the tons of food stalls, fairground rides, and many and vary clean toilets. In all honesty, it is one of the best well planned and organised festivals I have ever attended.

We then have an exciting set from a collection of artists under the banner of LR Hit factory which includes performances from Dangerzone, Tenpole Tudor, Red box, Sydney Youngblood and Urban Cookie Collective. We have a little break now so I head backstage to relax for a little bit before the next act.

Walking back to the hospitality tent I spot someone who may or not remember me, I shout his name and he spins round with a look of confusion on his face but then he recognises me and runs at me, arms open and gives me a big hug! Well, you may be wondering who that person was?  It was non other than the iconic ‘Mr Chesney Hawkes‘ himself! I did an interview with him a few months ago on zoom and he remembered me which was lovely! We have a little chat, and he tells me how excited he is about his set, which is next! (Click this to read our interview with him)

Back at the main stage, we are greeted by ‘Chesney Hawkes’ who was one of the biggest names of the late 80s and early 90s with his hit song “The One and Only“, a song that has been permanently cemented in an entire generation’s psyche, it is clear to see how much of an impact his music had on this generation by the roar of the crowd as he appears onstage! Now 50 years old, this man hasn’t aged in the slightest and neither has his voice! He sails through his 20-minute set singing all of his greatest hits with the energy of a 20 year old. His beautiful rendition of Prince’s “Purple rain” is a highlight of his set and I hear that some local people have taken to social media to say that they could hear it from their houses and thought it was amazing! It is clear that the audience adores him as they sing along to every song. As his set finishes, he throws his guitar high up in the air and catches it, a trade mark of any Chesney show as many will know.

(Chesney Hawkes_Credit Billy Vitch)

We now go straight into another memorable set from the ever amazing ‘Johnny Hates Jazz’ which the crowd love and it’s beautiful to see so many people of all ages enjoying the show at this family inclusive event. 

The next real treat for me is ‘Belinda Carlisle‘ who is one of the most iconic female artists ever in my humble opinion!  Belinda Carlisle is considered rock and roll royalty to many but she doesn’t behave so. A delicate, sensitive, beautiful soul who backstage comes across as humble, kind, considerate and caring as I notice her engage with crew asking one or two if they are ok.

To those who may not know of her pedigree, here’s a bit more about her. Belinda Jo Carlisle born August 17, 1958) is an American singer. She gained fame as the lead singer of the Go-Go’s, the most successful all-female rock band of all time, and went on to have a prolific career as a solo artist. Raised in Southern California, Carlisle became the lead singer of the Go-Go’s after the band’s formation in 1978. With their chart-topping debut release Beauty and the Beat in 1981, the group helped popularize new wave music in the United States. The Go-Go’s were the first (and to date only) all-female band in history who wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to achieve a No. 1 album. The Go-Go’s have sold over seven million records worldwide. Her solo career projected her to superstardom in the 80s and 90s with hit songs like “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” and “Leave The Light On“. Her 1992 greatest hits album ‘The Best of Belinda, Volume 1‘ reached No.1 and was certified double platinum in the UK and platinum in Australia.  In 1999, Carlisle was ranked #76 with the Go-Go’s in VH1‘s 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll. Citation from her Wikipedia page.

(Belinda Carlise_Credit: Warren Millar)

Entering the stage it is clear from the crowd’s excitement that the adoration for this lady is unquestionable as she belts out some of her greatest hits. Her beauty at the age of 62 has not dissipated one bit and I doubt I would be alone in saying she may even be more beautiful now than she ever was. Her energy during her set is infectious and we see everyone including grown men singing along at the top of their voices with tears in their eyes, me included. A truly emotional trip down memory lane that invoked in me so many deep feelings as I was transported back to my childhood, buying her first album and plastering my bedroom wall with her posters.

The next act needs little introduction in the city of Liverpool, ‘The Farm’ a band who became one of the best known bands of this era with hits such as “All Together Now‘ and “Groovey Train” entertain us with their scouse charm, the crowd love these guys and it shows! frontman ‘Peter Hooton’ and the boys are on form and better than ever as they sail through their set. Peter talks with the crowd and mentions his support for the people on the current transport strikes. It’s lovely to see an artist share their support with people who are really struggling. 

After The Farm were treated to two fantastic performances from legends, ‘Nick Hayward’ and ‘Tom Bailey’ of the ‘Thompson Twins‘ and the crowd love it! The vibe they both create on stage is magical and a perfect set of acts to lead us to the last three performances of the night. If these two guys were the last acts to perform today it would have been more than enough for anyone, the day has been absolutely amazing but we have more, and it just gets better! 

As the evening commences we are graced with the presence on stage of rock and roll big hitters Level 42! 

Level 42 where one of the most prolific bands of the 80s and 90s! Level 42 are a jazz-funk band that formed on the Isle of Wight in 1979. They had a number of UK and worldwide hits during the 1980s and 1990s. Their highest-charting single in the UK was “Lessons in Love“, which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, and number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, upon its release in 1986. An earlier single, “Something About You“, was their most successful chart-wise in the United States, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The set from start to finish is high octane and its easy to see how they became so big when their live shows are so dynamic and energetic, even now I believe there are not many new bands, a lot younger, who could own a stage like this and give as an energetic performance as they do! True masters of their craft!

(Level42_ Credit: Warren Millar)

As darkness falls over the magical pasture that is Wavertree’s ‘Mystery park’ and the rain starts to drizzle, the stage lights turn up and out of a mist of smoke and dry ice a beautiful gentleman and true British icon that is “MBE Billy Ocean“, emerges from the clouds dressed in a dapper white suit and tie, “reminding me of actor Morgen Freeman when he played the character of God in the film “Evan Almighty” leaving me feeling like I have just witnessed the coming of a messiah! Majestic is all I have to describe his presence as he introduces himself to the excited audience and I feel that I am in the presence of true greatness! The Trinidadian star was one of the best-selling R&B British artists of the 1980s and 90s with hits such as “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” that reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 in the US. In 1985, Ocean won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his worldwide hit “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run” and in 1987 was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male Artist.

On stage, he looks the picture of health with his long and now white dreadlocks flowing down his back, this man sings his songs with such a powerful vocal range it seems unbelievable to comprehend that he is now 72 years of age! His ability to switch effortlessly through several vocal ranges is impressive and with a stage presence that makes you feel as if he is just singing for you and nobody else, it’s easy to see why he became one of the all-time greats! He is adored and rightly so! A truly magical performance with so many beautiful moments of interaction between him and the crowd that makes for a truly beautiful experience.

(Billy Ocean_Credit: Billy Vitch)

After such an amazing day it is hard to believe that this event can get any better, but it can! It’s 10pm at night and we are about to be treated to one of the biggest acts of the 80s/90s, the massive English synth-pop band The Human League! The stage is set with a huge digital screen as the backdrop projecting an array of flashing images, directly in front of it is an electric drum kit… The intro music starts and two men dressed in black suits appear on stage playing ax edge keytars slung over their shoulders. Eventually, we are greeted by The Human League, the band now consists of Susan Ann Sulley, Philip Oakey and Joanne Catherall and they get right into their set as the rain pours on the crowd but no one seems to care as Philip treats us with his unique presence as he sings through some of their best known songs like “Don’t You Want Me” “Mirror Man“, “(Keep Feeling) Fascination“, “The Lebanon“, “Human“. This lineup just works, with Joanne and Susan adding so much style and flair with their stunning looks and unique backing vocals!

I am a little too young (42), to know much about the band but I do vividly remember all of their songs from my childhood, a soundtrack to an entire generation from a band that has managed to transcend time with their music by gaining new fans through every decade since they first became active all the way back in 1977. As their set comes to an end and they say goodbye we see people hugging, singing along and dancing in the rain, it has been truly magical!

(The Human League_Credit: Warren Millar)

A perfect end to a perfect day, Lets rock Liverpool really pulled out all the stops on this show and hands down it has been one of the best set up and organised festivals I have ever attended, the staff from security, pit staff, photographers, management, the bars, food stalls, backstage and artists have been some of the most thoughtful and caring I have come across whilst working shows and it was a pleasure to spend the day with them, a big thank you from us all at NSG to all involved and for treating us so well, we felt like royalty!

Review by Billy Vitch

Photography by Warren Millar, Billy Vitch and new boy to the team, Michael Edwards

Let’s Rock have a lot more shows coming up this year so have a look at their website link below!

(LET’S ROCK SHOWS)

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