By Andrew Mosley
WHEN?: Friday 7 November, tour runs through 10 July 2026
It’s bouncing off the bumps of Yorkshire’s country roads in Richard Gostling’s VW Beatle while When Smokey Sings blasts from the cheap radio. It’s cringing in the pub as Phil Robinson quotes lyrics from the band’s songs as chat-up lines to what he sees as potential girlfriends.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
OUT: now
There’s always a sense of trepidation when a friend recommends a song they think you’ll like.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
OUT: 27/5
TRACKLIST: The Flames Of Desire; Viva Love; Ten Below Zero; Confessions Of A Fool; Singer Not The Song; The Ship Of The Seasick Sailor; Kiss Me Goodbye; I Believe In Love; The Love Inside The Love; Brighter Than The Sun; Viva Love reprise.
ABC’s orchestral pop was inescapable in 1982 and debut album The Lexicon Of Love‘s peerless run of hits (Tears Are Not Enough, Poison Arrow, The Look Of Love, All Of My Heart) proved impossible to repeat.
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.
