5. Kim Wilde

The 30,000 tickets for 80s festival Rewind South at Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, 21-23/8 sold out this month. We’ve picked our favourites from the 27 acts performing and in at number 5 is the turn no train journey would be complete without. This YouTube clip of Kim Wilde returning home from a party performing Kids In America and Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree went viral. Performing on Saturday we hope she also plays You Came and You Keep Me Hangin’ On. Train optional.

4. Nik Kershaw

monstagigz passed its English Language O-Level after submitting a project about Nik’s lyrics so we’ve more than just snoods and fingerless gloves to thank him for. Performing Sunday we’ve everything crossed for The Riddle (YouTube clip above), Wouldn’t It Be Good and I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. We’re still none the wiser about what The Riddle was all about.

3. ABC

Performing Saturday Sheffield’s ABC were one of the 80s most underrated bands. Everyone remembers The Lexicon of Love but for us there was much which followed which was more groundbreaking. They were even the subject of some of the first letters we had published in the sadly now no more Record Mirror. We’ve seen them live more recently at Shepherd’s Bush Empire and would hope for When Smokey Sings (You Tube clip above), How To Be A Millionaire and Be Near Me.

2. Human League

We first saw Sheffield’s Human League at what is now the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith in 1987. We’ve seen them much more recently at the Royal Festival Hall and in Brighton where they recently headlined the city’s Pride celebrations this month. They’re always astonishing live and it’s only really in that context you remember how many brilliant songs they have. The amazing Soundtrack To A Generation (above) is unlikely to be played Sunday but we’d bet on Don’t You Want Me, Fascination and Tell Me When.

1. Bananarama

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iiy5HO4VKEA

We first saw the Nanas live in their imperial phase at the old Wembley Arena in 1989. Always entertaining live we’ve caught them numerous times since at venues all across London including a Pride event in Hyde Park, G-A-Y and at Clapham Grand. Love In the First Degree (above) is the one we all want to hear but, again, we’re spoilt for choice. I Heard A Rumour, I Want You Back, Cruel Summer and It Ain’t What You Do Sunday please. Surprise appearances from Funboy Three and Siobhan would top it off nicely.