After the recent success of Rewind – 80s Festival in England and Scotland, Australia is getting ready for some of the best loved music icons of the 80s to descend upon thebeautiful BlueScope Field in Kembla Grange from 28 to 30 October, 2011 for the inaugural Rewind Festival Australia, boasting the biggest live outdoor line-up of 80s recording artists and performers ever (Bananarama, Midge Ure, Tony Hadley, Nik Kershaw ABC, to name a few).
And now, an additional six international acts from yesteryear (but still going strong) have just been announced:
Dire Straits fans will have cause to celebrate, with addition of The Straits, featuring Alan Clark, Phil Palmer and Chris White from the legendary band that arguably was the biggest rock act of the 80s. The Straits’ frontman Terence Reis brings a fresh flavour to the band’s greatest hits. Also joining are Cutting Crew and T’pau.
And it’s not all about the 80s ….. Rewind will tour some of the best-loved artists from the 70s and 90s in The Real Thing, Candi Staton and Right Said Fred.
Originally launched at England’s Henley-on-Thames in 2009, the 80s Rewind Music Festival was the surprise success of the year attracting 30,000 people. In its second year at Henley-On-Thames (2010), the festival grew tocapacity at 40,000 people saw the biggest line-up of artists since Live Aid.
Now the organisers have announced that an Australian version of the Festival will be launched at the beautiful BlueScope Field on the New South Wales’ south coast and will feature a massive line-up of international and local 80s artists as well as loads of other festival fun from Silent Discos to Live Karaoke bars along with Camping and “Glamping” options, with more on all the additional festival extras, opening times, stalls etc to be announced.
THE STRAITS – Formed by former members of Dire Straits due to the substantial demand to hear the band’s much loved catalogue of great songs, The Straits includes three original members, Alan Clark, Phil Palmer and Chris White are joined by new recruits Steve Ferrone, Terence Reis, Mick Feat and Jamie Squire. Together the members of The Straits have a performing history that reads like a who’s who of the music industry having worked with the artists including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Sting, Roger Daltry, Mark Knopfler, The Average White Band, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Art Garfunkel, David Gilmour and Quincy Jones. The band features Terence Reis, who was handpicked as the front man for The Straits, not only for his voice with elements of Knopfler, JJ Cale and Steve Earle but also his guitar technique that’s remarkably similar to Knopfler’s own. Rewind Festival Australia will be the first time The Straits have ventured to the Southern Hemisphere and the fans won’t be disappointed.
Cutting Crew: Originally formed in 1985, this Grammy nominated Anglo-Canadian rock band will always be remembered for their classic songs “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” and “I’ve Been in Love Before”. Original singer and writer Nick van Eede performs every gig now with his amazing guitarist, Gareth Moulton. The past 2 years have brought festival headliners alongside Toto, Supertramp & Level 42. Their great live show that has reached the hearts of crowds across the world and now comes to Rewind
T’Pau: T’Pau burst onto the music scene in 1987 with “Heart and Soul”, enjoying success in both the UK and US before releasing the classic “China In Your Hand” which stayed at no. 1 in the UK for five weeks. With her mass of red hair, soulful voice and commanding stage presence Carol Decker continues to“rock out” T’pau’s greatest hits
The Real Thing: Liverpool “Afro-British” band The Real Thing have been one of the UK’s most prominent bands over the last 25 years. Since 1976 they have stormed the charts, with fifteen top 50 chart entries including “Can You Feel The Force”, “Can’t Get By Without You” and “You To Me Are Everything”. The Real Thing still feature the original members of the Amoo brothers and Dave Smith and the group is busier than ever.
Right Said Fred are as recognisable now as they were back in 1992 when they 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 and Stand Up For The Champions contributed to the band’s overall haul of twenty million records worldwide. Prior to Sexy and Deeply Dippy and Don’t Talk, Just Kiss, Right Said Fred had worked with Dylan, Bowie and Mick Jagger. With a new album release at the end of 2010, it firmly cements their place as a Great British Institution (together withMadness and the Kinks).
Candi Staton: Fresh from her Rewind Festival UK debut in August, the legendary First Lady of southern soul and erstwhile disco princess Candi Staton makes an appearance at this year’s Rewind Australia at a time when her iconic 1986 single “You’ve Got the Love” has been back in the spotlight thanks to the huge cover version by Florence and the Machine released in 2009. Prepare to indulge in a massive back catalogue of hits, including the classic “Young Hearts Run Free” which appeared in the 1997 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, and her popular versions of Elvis “Suspicious Minds” and Tammy Wynnette’s “Stand by Your Man”.
The complete REWIND FESTIVAL line up features:
Saturday
Kool and the Gang
Sister Sledge
The Straits formerly Dire Straits
Ross Wilson
Midge Ure (Ultravox)
Pseudo Echo
Cutting Crew
Tapau
The Real Thing
Nik Kershaw
Sunday
Human League
Bananarama
Candi Staton
Right Said Fred
John Paul Young
ABC
Go West
Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)
Mental as Anything
Tickets for Rewind Festival Australia go on sale NOW from Moshtix – www.moshtix.com.au and prices are (all inclusive of GST):
Adult Saturday Day Pass – $115.50
Child Saturday Day Pass – $66.00
Adult Weekend Pass – $217.90
Child Weekend Pass – $116.60
Adult Weekend Camping Pass – $66.00
Child Weekend Camping Pass – $32.20
Campervan Pass (up to 6m in length) – $172.90
Campervan Pass (over 6m in length) – $285.40
Saturday VIP Pass – $172.00
Sunday VIP pass – $172.90
Adult Sunday Pass – $115.50
Child Sunday Pass – $66.00
* Total cost per ticket is in AUD and includes all fees, charges and GST
**A limited number of VIP passes are available on a first come, first served basis for Saturday and Sunday; they allow access to the VIP bar and viewing garden and use the VIP toilets! VIP passes are valid ONLY in conjunction with festivaltickets.
