Rewind South (Henley on Thames)

Rewind back in time

Are you one of those people constantly going on about how you were born in the wrong decade? Bored of the same old pop music which seems to dominate every chart show and radio station today? It’s a fact that the average reading age of song lyrics in 2015 has dropped to around 8 years old. Yep. No wonder you’re getting sick of it. Why not try a festival which could restore your hope in music, while at the same time, making you wish you were living in the 1980’s again, partying with the likes of Journey and the entire cast of Grease. Well, look no further. Rewind South (more or less) offers you this opportunity. From the 21st to the 23rd August 2015, Henley on Thames will transport back to the eighties, like Back to the Future (yes, that’s another eighties reference, get used to those) but with less dodgy live action and more amazing live music.

 

 

Line up

Rewind South spreads itself across multiple stages throughout Temple Island Meadows in Henley. On Saturday, some huge names will be performing, including the likes of Billy Ocean, OMD and Kim Wilde. On the Sunday, even more big names follow; The Selecter and Bananarama being just a couple. Forget the likes of Bieber and Kanye, this is a line up perfect for those eighties kids who are desperately trying to look for a way to rekindle a bit of their youth. If you’re reading this wondering who all of these acts are, perhaps you’re slightly too young for Rewind South. But if you’re one of those people who, at every family party, winds up having a few too many and singing “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” at the top of your voice, then Rewind is your ultimate nostalgia trip.

As well as these eighties throw backs, Rewind South also offers entertainment in the form of the British Electronic Foundation, a group which ‘showcases a variety of different musical artists performing classic songs with an electronic slant’. With an assortment of classic eighties and modern artists, the group will take to stage and bring some of the greatest hits of the eighties back to life with an electronic twist. This is a one off performance promised to be the highlight of the entire weekend – definitely not something to be missed.

Babies, booze or both?

Like most other festivals, Rewind South doesn’t stop at good music. There are many other activities and forms of entertainment on offer around the festival. Firework displays, a roller disco and a silent disco are just a few of the things on offer. If you’ve never attended a silent disco before, take my word for it and go. There is truly nothing funnier than that moment when you sneakily take off your headphones and gaze wide eyes at the hundreds of people around you, dancing and screaming their lungs off into the completely silent abyss. It’s a must see. As well as all of this, there’s even a kidzone with circus workshops and entertainment. Family friendly festival aren’t three words you hear together that often, with most being more about booze than babies these days, so make the most of this amazing opportunity!

Camping and Glamping

Glamping is a festival addition which Brits seem to be going crazy for lately. Why choose a pathetically limp and completely un-weatherproof tent as your temporary home for the weekend, when you could be living it up in a fully furnished, luxury tent instead. And, added bonus, you don’t even have to put it up yourself. Why spend all that time wrestling with tent poles and desperately trying to find that hammer that you probably left at home somewhere, when you could just stroll through the festival gates and straight into your pre-erected tent? Whether you’re a rugged traveller who wants to do the camping experience properly, or you’re more interested in doing as little hard work as possible, Rewind South offers you all of the options. Are you a glamper or a camper? The choice is entirely yours.

Henley culture

As well as all of the amazing elements of this festival which are listed above, Rewind South is in a festival location to die for. Yes, you’ll still get the muddy wellies, back to nature experience that festival goers know so well. But as well as this, you’ll get an experience of the beautiful sights of Henley, with the river Thames running adjacent to the festival grounds. For anybody looking for a bit of eighties nostalgia in a beautiful location, Rewind South is definitely the festival for you.

 

 

Not a Southerner, but still looking for your eighties fix? Don’t fret! Maybe give Rewind North or Rewind Scotland a try.

 

The last few tickets for Rewind South are still available here. Don’t miss out!

By Lauren Chassebi