Bman's Blues Report: Rewind Scotland - The 80s Festival reveals 2012 Line-up

Tickets on sale at 9am on Friday 20th January
For ticket info and prices, please visit: www.rewindfestival.com

Due to the outstanding success of the first “Rewind Scotland – The 80s Festival” in Perth during July 2011, the festival returns for the second year in a row. As with last year’s unforgettable concert performances and audience participation celebrations, this year’s Rewind Scotland boasts another massive live outdoor line-up of the crème de la crème of 80s recording artists/performers.

Rewind Scotland will take place from Friday 20th July until Sunday 22nd July at Scone Palace, Perthshire, Scotland (www.scone-palace.co.uk).

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9am on Friday 20th January. Full details on ticket outlets and prices are available from the website www.rewindfestival.com.

This year’s line-up is headlined by Ali Campbell’s UB40 and Holly Johnson. Other highlights include a rare appearance from Village People, Scottish icons Midge Ure, Jimmy Somerville, Altered Images and Average White Band, as well as the reformed original line-up of Five Star, Squeeze, Lightning Seeds, Marc Almond, Chesney Hawkes, Roland Gift and many more!

As in 2011, the organisers have announced that Rewind Scotland will once again take place at the historic setting of Scone Palace in Perthshire – the home of The Earls of Mansfield and the crowning palace of the Kings of Scotland.

The festival takes place on the weekend of the 20th-22nd July and, as well as the massive line-up of 80s artists, features loads of other festival fun from Silent Discos to Live Karaoke bars along with Camping and Glamping (Glamorous Camping) options.

Originally launched at Henley-on-Thames in 2009, Rewind The 80s Festival boasts the biggest line-up of 80s artists in the world, and in its first three years has featured such iconic 80s names as: Boy George, Tony Hadley, Rick Astley, Gloria Gaynor, Kim Wilde, ABC, Go West, Howard Jones, Nik Kershaw and many more.

2011 saw the first Rewind Festival take place north of the border and take Scotland by storm, and the festival in Henley-on-Thames sell out in advance for the very first time.

For an exclusive video preview of the artists, on Wednesday 18th January at 20:30, tune into "Fast Forward to Rewind Scotland" on Vintage TV (Sky 369 and Freesat 515).

Ali Campbell's UB40
As lead singer with the world renowned group UB40, Ali Campbell has sold over 60 million records worldwide. A whole generation has grown up listening to Ali’s infectious vocals on classics like “Kingston Town”, “Red Red Wine” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love”. In 2008 Ali departed UB40, with keyboard player Mickey Virtue following him to take a place in Ali’s new band. Ali continues to thrill audiences worldwide performing the band’s classic hits, as well as his own new material, inspired by his love of Reggae.

Average White Band
AWB are regarded as one of the top funk and soul bands in the history of music. Best known for their timeless instrumental mega-hit “Pick up the Pieces” they’ve had a career full of several gold selling albums and Grammy nominations. “Cut the Cake” and the 1980 UK top 20 hit “Let’s Go Round Again” attracted wider audiences to their ‘authentic’ R&B sound. The current band line-up continues to record and tour around the world, to on-going critical and audience acclaim.

Jimmy Somerville
Glaswegian Jimmy Somerville first shot to fame back in 1984 with groundbreaking band Bronski Beat. Their debut single "Smalltown Boy" introduced the world to Jimmy’s unusual “falsetto squeal” (his own words), making the top three in Britain as well as being a huge hit all over Europe. Having had several lively pop dance hits in ’84 and ’85 with the band, Jimmy left for a rest after the pressures of new found fame took its toll. Within months he was back forming the Communards with his old friend Richard Coles and enjoyed a string of hits with their mixture of good old fashioned "gay" disco and more bluesy, acoustic, political and social comment songs, including a hedonistic cover version of the Philly soul classic "Don't Leave Me This Way".

Midge Ure
One of Britain’s most prolific and well-respected songwriters, co-organiser of the Live Aid concerts and former member of such iconic groups as Visage and Thin Lizzy; Midge Ure is a man of many talents. True musical royalty, he received an OBE back in 2005 for services to music and charity. Midge achieved huge success in the 80s with the synthpop band Ultravox, with worldwide hits such as “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes” and “Vienna”, going on to have a successful solo career too. Having performed a reunion tour with Ultravox back in 2010, this summer he plays solo bringing his extraordinary back catalogue to Rewind.

Five Star
Dubbed “Britain’s answer to the Jackson Five” with their dynamic sound and fabulous dance routines, Five Star rocked the British and US pop charts in the 80s. Named and managed by their father Buster Pearson, the band scored a total of 16 top 40 singles, 6 of which went top ten, and achieved a multi-platinum selling UK no.1 album in 1986 with “Silk & Steel”. A formidable live act in the 80s, they sold out 6 nights at Wembley Arena to an audience of more than 60,000 in their 1987 UK tour. The five siblings make their Rewind Festival debut in 2012, celebrating their 25th anniversary in the music industry.

Go West
Celebrating 25 years together and as one of the greatest singer-songwriter duos to emerge in the eighties they had their first hit “We Close Our Eyes” in 1985, the first of many including “Tracks of My Tears”, “Call Me” and the opening song to the hugely successful film “Pretty Woman”, “King of Wishful Thinking”. Fantastic performers with a huge repertoire of hits, Go West are a real treat live.

Sinitta
American born Sinitta is a professional actress / singer who has lived in the United Kingdom for most of her career. Best known for her singing she began recording in 1983 and has had 14 international hit singles including “So Macho”, “Toy Boy”, “Cross My Broken Heart” and her cover of “Right Back Where We Started From”. More recently, Sinitta has appeared as a mentor on the ITV Talent Show “The X Factor”, discovering new artists such as Leona Lewis, Olly Murs and JLS and has also made appearances as a contestant on both “Dancing on Ice” and “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!”

Chesney Hawkes
After shooting to fame as the title character in the film ‘Buddy’s Song’ in 1990, Chesney Hawkes quickly became one of Britain’s best-loved stars. The following year, he released the single “The One and Only” (penned by Nik Kershaw) from the film’s soundtrack which went on to become the 20th biggest selling single of the 90s. Chesney has never been far from the spotlight since, with numerous TV appearances and new material, finding a whole new generation of fans who want to see him perform live.

Katrina (Ex-Katrina & The Waves)
The former lead singer of Katrina & The Waves, Katrina became an international pop star in the 80s with the massive hit “Walking on Sunshine”, which has remained a timeless summer anthem ever since. Following this success, the band received a Grammy nomination for “Best New Artist”. After a period of downtime the band surged back into the limelight in 1997, when Katrina & The Waves represented Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Love Shine a Light” and went on to win!

Limahl
One might think of Limahl in the same bracket as Boy George, Phil Oakey or Margaret Thatcher as having one of the defining bouffants of the era! But, the original duo tone spiky mullet man was oh, so much more than his legendary hair and the wave of sometimes dodgy imitation haircuts he inspired; Kajagoogoo, the band he fronted, so much more than their crazy name and angular posturings. Music mattered with a million selling debut album “White Feathers” and five chart hits over two years: - “Too Shy”(no 1) – “Ooh To Be Ahh” (no 7) – “Hang On Now” (no 13) – “Only For Love” (no 16) and “The Neverending Story” (no 4).

Right Said Fred
Brothers Richard and Fred Fairbrass are as recognisable now as they were back in 1992 when Right Said Fred became the first UK band since the Beatles to reach No.1 in the US with a debut single. That single – “I’m Too Sexy” – hit No.1 in thirty two countries and garnered an Ivor Novello Award before further hits like “Deeply Dippy” (another Ivor Novello) and “Stand Up For The Champions” contributed to the band’s overall haul of twenty million records worldwide.

Les McKeown's Legendary Bay City Rollers
When Les McKeown became lead singer of the Bay City Rollers just days after his 18th birthday, the addition of his voice and personality transformed the band from potential one hit wonders into an international super group, notching up nine UK top ten hits including two number ones. Their first two albums, ‘Rollin’’ and ‘Once Upon A Star’, stayed on the album charts for a total of 99 weeks and ‘Bye Bye Baby’, the Rollers’ first No. 1 single, was the UK's biggest selling single of 1975. Between 1974 and 1978 the Bay City Rollers achieved no 1s in pop charts across the world with such songs as “Saturday Night” and “I Only Want To Be With You”. Mass hysteria seemed to follow their every move; the screams of a generation of young girls could be heard across the nation and in every corner of the globe – the world had truly turned tartan!

Holly Johnson
One of the most recognisable and powerful voices from the eighties, we’re excited to announce that Holly Johnson will be making his Rewind Festival debut this year. As lead singer and lyricist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, he enjoyed phenomenal commercial success during the 1980s with hits including “Two Tribes”, “The Power of Love” and their controversial debut ‘Relax’. After Holly and the band split, he went on to have an equally successful solo career, with platinum selling album Blast reaching the top of the charts in 1989.

Village People
Recipients of a Star on the Hollywood walk of fame between Liberace and Betty Grable, Village People will be performing for you at this year’s festival. Well known for their on-stage costumes depicting American cultural stereotypes, how many can you name? Village People have sold upwards of 100 million records worldwide with their disco and dance hits, including their trademark "Macho Man", "Go West", "In the Navy", "Can't Stop the Music", and their biggest hit, "Y.M.C.A.", with its cult dance. We’ll be watching for all the correct moves!

Squeeze
Squeeze were formed in 1973 by teenage friends Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, the pair dubbed “The New Lennon and McCartney”. A fixture of the New Wave movement, they enjoyed great success with such classic hits as “Up The Junction” and “Cool For Cats” both in the UK and across the pond. The band disbanded in 1984, although the chemistry between Tilbrook and Difford did not keep them far apart for long. Reformed and over 35 years later, with their legacy intact and as vital as it has ever been, Squeeze are still touring and reminding fans worldwide just why they have left such an indelible impression on the UK’s music scene.

Lightning Seeds
Lightning Seeds were formed by Ian Broudie in 1989, after having been involved with numerous bands in post-punk Liverpool, including Big in Japan and Holly Johnson, he decided to go it alone. Lightning Seeds have been entertaining audiences for over 20 years, and it’s easy to see why when witnessing their unmissable live performance. Ian Broudie conceived the band and penned the majority of the critically acclaimed debut album Cloudcuckooland, featuring the hit single Pure. The band’s 1994 album, Jollification, saw the Lightning Seeds garner the attention they rightly deserved, spawning the hit singles Lucky You, Change, Perfect and Marvellous. In 2006 they released of The Very Best of the Lightning Seeds and in 2010 the band returned to the live arena with a full UK tour and studio album.

Marc Almond
With over thirty years in music, the iconic Marc Almond, a huge influence to a generation of musicians who came after him, has sold over 30 million records worldwide and remains one of Britain’s most unique and interesting pop stars. He first rose to fame in 1980 after forming Soft Cell, recording four albums and enjoying several Top 10 hits including the international classic and BRIT Award winning “Tainted Love”. After Soft Cell went their separate ways in 1984, Marc went on to have a diverse and acclaimed solo career, continuing to tour and record new music to this day.

ABC
Fronted by the dapper Martin Fry, their debut album The Lexicon of Love crashed straight into the charts at number one, showcasing a string of hits including “The Look of Love”, “Tears Are Not Enough” and “Poison Arrow”. After five further albums and a greatest hits, ABC bowed out of the spotlight in the early nineties, only to resurrect the name at the end of the decade much to the delight of their fans. Whether performing as a band or with an orchestra in the Albert Hall, Martin Fry is the consummate show man.

Roland Gift
At one time picked by People Magazine as one of their 50 most beautiful people, Roland Gift came to attention with the release of the first Fine Young Cannibals album. His high, soaring voice was immediately recognizable, his style being both on classic soul singers and modern techniques that provided him with an edge. It was with the second FYC album four years later, however, that the band began to break internationally, with "She Drives Me Crazy" being heard everywhere.

The Straits
Formed by former members of Dire Straits Alan Clark, Phil Palmer and Chris White, due to the substantial demand to hear the band’s much loved catalogue of great songs, The Straits includes three original members along with some of the top session players to form a great new combo. Terence Reis was handpicked as the front man for The Straits for his voice with elements of Mark Knopfler, JJ Cale and Steve Earle and his guitar technique that’s remarkably similar to Knopfler’s own. Listen out for such rock classics as “Sultans of Swing”, “Money for Nothing” and “Brothers in Arms”.

Wang Chung
Wang Chung came out of the post-punk, New Wave scene in the UK going on to achieve global success selling millions of records. Throughout their 30 year career they have released 5 albums and 2 Greatest Hits compilations. They have had 6 US Top 40 hits including a number 1 and international Top 40 hit, “Dance Hall Days”, achieved cult status with their soundtrack for William Friedkin’s movie “To Live and Die in LA”. In the process of all of this (and somewhat unintentionally), Wang Chung became part of the contemporary culture of North America. Their huge smash ‘Everybody Have Fun Tonight’, with its now famous line 'Everybody Wang Chung Tonight' saw the invention of a new US verb; 'to Wang Chung', the band being name-checked by everyone from Homer Simpson to Frasier Crane.

John Parr
Few musicians from England have made such a mark on America as John Parr has. He first found fame in America with the song he is probably best known for, “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion),” the popular 80s tune that he wrote and performed for the iconic film of the same name. Around that same time, he had another hit song that climbed the charts, called “Naughty, Naughty.” As a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, he has enjoyed a long and successful career, selling more than 10 million albums and working with a variety of top names including Tina Turner, Bryan Adams, Meatloaf, Journey and The Beach Boys.

Altered Images
Clare Grogan started her 30 year long career as a schoolgirl popstar in her band Altered Images; by day studying for her A Levels and at night touring and playing festivals alongside Siouxsie and The Banshees, Echo and The Bunnymen and U2 and recording sessions for John Peel. Clare never got to finish her exams as the band were signed to Epic Records in 1981, the same year she appeared in the BAFTA winning film Gregory’s Girl. Altered Images quickly had worldwide success, selling millions of records which topped the charts in several countries, including “I Could Be Happy”, “Don’t Talk To Me About Love” and “Happy Birthday”. After an eighteen-year gap in performing with Altered Images, in 2002 Clare was persuaded to sing their hits again and continues to play in front of huge and enthusiastic crowds.

The Christians
Described by The Sun as “arguably the best voice in pop” Garry Christian is both “the face” and “the voice” of THE CHRISTIANS .. another Liverpool success story emerging in the late 80s - renowned for their endless string of soul-inspired hits .. ”Forgotten Town”, “Born Again”, “When the Fingers Point”, “Ideal World”, “The Bottle”, ‘Father’, “Perfect Moment”, “What’s in a Word”, “Harvest for the World”, to name but a few .. often forgotten until you hear the songs and remember how much you loved them! THE CHRISTIANS are celebrating 25 years since the release of their iconic eponymous album this year with a re-release along with a brand new album.