Wednesday 3 September 2008

Music, Mud and Magic

What a fab weekend we had at Retrofest. To start there are two things I won't mention - pink Lycra and the toilets - enough said.

The weekend started for us on Friday night. We pitched our tent and enjoyed a few wines around our portable table then headed off to the stage to hear some live music. Four Good Men (a couple of which are from Aberfoyle I think) belted out some Simple Minds and Big Country anthems I haven't heard for ages, and my sister had her music craving satisfied by another act singing Kate Bush songs. The evening was balmy and we managed a dance in the disco tent which took us hurtling back in time to our old school discos.


Saturday started well with a civilised breakfast in the slightly muddy camp site, then it was off to the main stage at noon to see the start of the acts. Highlights on Saturday were the Christians, Nick Kershaw and 10CC. The best by far was Kim Wilde who shed her gardening persona to become a total rock chick, she also did a fantastic cover of 'Tainted Love'. Surprise of the day was Peter Andre who really got the crowd going (with a glimpse of Jordan and their daughter watching Nick Kershaw afterwards).


Big disappointment were The Bangles who headlined on Saturday night. They had a hard act to follow after Kim, but they left the crowd flat and we sloped back to our tent before their set was finished.

Sunday saw the mud deepen by at least six inches and there was a smattering of rain to really get your wellies stuck. Bucks Fizz started things off and woke us all up, they can still pull the moves even after nearly 30 years. Did you know they wrote 'Heart of Stone' which was a big hit for Cher?

Teenage crushes were satisfied when Paul Young took the stage and Kajagoogoo also did a great set.

My highlight of the day and the weekend was Midge Ure. I don't own any of his records and certainly wouldn't call myself a fan but his performance was fantastic - you could have heard a pin drop when he was singing 'Vienna'. He also performed 'Enjoy the Silence' which he wrote for Depeche Mode.


My friend Julie bought us all red ponchos which were put to good use on the Sunday and also got us up on the big screen as we stood out against the crowd (and the pink Lycra) - our 15mins of fame.

All in all wonderful weekend, I've never seen so many different styles of wellies!

On the making front I am frantically finishing things off for this weekends Wee Green Market, and posting a few Internet sales round the world. I have also been giving a lot of thought to my stall for the Country Living Fair, which is getting too close for comfort.

Back to normality next week when I come down from my festival high!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Well done you old trooper! Well, not old at all I'm sure, but a trooper none the less!
Good for you!
CX