Rewind Scotland 2024: Relive the Glory Days of Music
By The Best Hits and Iconic Performances
As the Rewind Scotland Festival wraps up, we reminisce about the standout moments of an amazing weekend. Spanning three days, it began with Friday night offering a mellow introduction with a varied level of entertainment, from amusement rides to live performances at the intimate Harp Bar and the vibrant Pink Flamingo Club, taking revellers through to the early hours.
A hallmark of any retro festival is its stellar lineup, and Rewind Scotland did not disappoint, boasting an array of 80’s/90’s acts. The event was superbly hosted by Jenny Powell, whose witty and down to earth banter kept the crowd well entertained between acts.
Saturday commenced with a nostalgic blast from the past, as Studio 54’s disco classics reverberated through the crowd, rekindling memories of dance floor moves & grooves.
The legendary Bad Manners followed, saturating the atmosphere with their explosive ska beats. Buster Bloodvessel’s thunderous rendition of “My Girl Lollipop” had the entire audience on their feet, as always, these guys know how raise the temperature at any party.
Boyzlife, considered the young guns to this type of festival, a fusion of Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, they took the stage singing Westlife and Boyzone classics, their performance was nothing short of electrifying.
After the Earth Wind and Fire Experience we had some very quick-fire acts Katrina, Altered Images and Tiffany, all crowd pleasers with Tiffany putting in a particular powerful performance, while also spending some time chatting and taking selfies with the fans.
Despite the rain setting in, the crowd’s spirit remained unflagging. Hue and Cry, followed by the unmistakable vocals of Roland Gift, continued to enthral the audience.
The night concluded with Kim Wilde and Billy Ocean. Wilde’s “Kids in America” reverberated across Perth, while Ocean’s timeless hits, including “When the Going Gets Tough” and “Love Really Hurts Without You,” provided a fittingly magnificent end to Saturday’s festivities.
Sunday began with improved weather and the dynamic hosting of The Doc aka Dr Clive Jackson. While Jenny Powell could be deemed the Rewind goddess, The Doc embodied the Nutty professor, both with their own unique style of engaging the audience, with The Doc using an unconventional prop, a ladle to deliver amusing treats to the crowd.
Shakatak, as an opening act was somewhat subdued, but The Selectors’ Pauline Black soon invigorated the audience with ska classics like “On My Radio”, “Too Much Pressure” and “Three-minute Hero.”
Peter Hook and The Light provided a further kick up the backside to the audience by delivering a high-energy set with explosive renditions of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “Blue Monday,”
Gabrielle’s soulful performance, featuring hits like “Out of Reach” and “Dreams,” was met with resounding approval. She captivated the audience with her unique humbleness and witty chatter.
Following a brief respite, we once again had a rapid succession of acts including Living in a Box, Linx, and Heatwave preceded Heather Small’s stunning vocal showcase. Her renditions of “One Night in Heaven” and “Moving on Up” had the audience singing along as she danced across the stage.
Nik Kershaw, an 80’s icon, once again delivered a sterling performance before Scotland’s own Midge Ure, greeted by thunderous applause, delivered an evocative set featuring the iconic and heart rendering “Vienna.”
The festival’s climax saw headline act “The Boomtown Rats” bounding onto the stage with unparalleled zeal, delivering an electrifying set filled with classics like “Someone’s Looking at You”, “Rat Trap”, “I Don’t Like Mondays” while also including some new hits. Geldof’s dynamic presence whipped the crowd into a frenzy of noise and dance, this is how you end a festival, this is how Rewind does it….Just WOW!
Conclusion
Rewind Scotland transcends the typical music festival experience, offering a carnival atmosphere complete with funfair rides, bars, and various stalls, all it lacks is a swimming pool to make it the ultimate holiday destination!
The event’s facilities were more than sufficient, with ample rest areas and plenty of toilets, however increased seating for eating could enhance the experience. If you weren’t staying onsite the regular bus and taxi services from Perth made the festival easily accessible for day visitors.
In summary, our first experience at Rewind Scotland won’t be our last, it was nothing short of spectacular. Each day offered something unique, and the warm, friendly ambiance made it one of the best festivals we have attended.