Rewind 2019 (North) lineup revealed

Rewind is the hugely successful annual festival that celebrates the finest eighties pop stars.

The line-up for the north weekend has just been announced and as you can see, there are a few familiar names.  Hosted by The Doctor (from Doctor and the Medics) and Toyah, you can expect to see:

• Gloria Gaynor
• UB40 Feat Ali Campbell and Astro
• Cutting Crew
• Level 42
• Bananarama
• Heaven 17
• Thin Lizzy
• Tiffany
• The Selecter
• Heather Small
• Cutting Crew
• Hazel O'Connor
• The Undertones
• The Primitives
• Neville Staple
• Joyce Sims
• Black Box
• Martin Kemp (DJ set)
• Bjorn Again
• The Dire Straits Experience

I bet you can see some of your favourites in that list. I'm particularly excited about Joyce Sims and The Primitives.

You can find out more here.

Pet Shop Boys - Inner Sanctum

Blu-ray/ DVD/ 2CD package of Pet Shop Boys breath-taking show 'Inner Sanctum', filmed at London's Royal Opera House during a sold-out run in 2018 summer.

The iconic duo's acclaimed production, first presented at the Royal Opera House in 2016 over four sold-out shows, was reprised at the venue for a further four nights in July 2018 as part of their 'Super' tour. Staged by long-term PSB designer Es Devlin and choreographer/director Lynne Page, the show was filmed by director David Barnard. Filmed on 27 and 28 July 2018, the full-length film on DVD and Blu-ray is accompanied by two CDs of the complete audio of the live show plus a bonus feature of PSB live at Rock in Rio, which was recorded on 17 September 2017 at the Brazilian festival.

 The 'Inner Sanctum' production won rave reviews for a musical and visual extravaganza which brought lasers, dazzling choreography and immersive visuals and stage design to the ornate surroundings of the Royal Opera House for an electrifying show. The set-list featured contemporary PSB material from their last two albums 'Super' and 'Electric' mixed with many PSB's classic hits from their peerless back catalogue including 'Love comes quickly', 'West End girls', 'It's a sin', 'Go West' and 'Always on my mind'.

Bananarama: Dance Music (Live at The Observatory in San Deigo)

Whooooooop! Thanks Davearama for your camera work.

Sitting in the back row

The thrill of seeing an artist perform on a large scale.  The pyrotechnics. The large screens. Lasers. A troop of 20 dancers. An array of extravagant costumes.  It all sounds so amazing, doesn't it?  Unless you're the one who is sitting at the back of the arena.

I ask myself, is there any point going to a gig if I'm not as close to the stage as possible?

Many years ago, I went to Madonna in concert... and of course she was amazing, I assume - because some of the stage was obscured by the overhang of a balcony.

Then recently, I went to see Kylie Minogue and the VIP area was so enormous (and not very full) that the positioning wasn't anywhere near as good as it perhaps should've been, despite the lengthy queuing.

When the Olympics came to London, I was at a party at my friends house.  They had just purchased an enormous HD television and there was a particularly exciting event on - but it was the sheer quality and enormity of those images that brought it home to me.  Why would you bother going to see an event when you can watch everything in amazing detail on your television screen, in the comfort of your home?  You'll never get to experience the view from multiple angles in a sports arena.  You won't be able to pop the kettle on for a cup of tea during the boring parts.

I think I've just aged before my time - but seriously, I can't be alone with these thoughts, surely?

Bananarama: Live at the London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo

Seeing the original Bananarama line-up deliver a tour was such an unexpected and incredible moment.  

Having lived and breathed Bananarama since my youth and experiencing the dramatic devastation of the split (I blame my hormones), nobody ever thought this would happen - but it did and it was one of the single most joyful moments of my life.

I bought the merch.  I stood shaking with excitement with my friends.  I danced until my legs fell off.  I looked in awe at the incredible screen graphics.  I was blown away by the new production and the makeover of those hits.  It ticked all of the boxes.

This tour didn't just live up to our expectations, it blew them away.  To look around the venues and see the faces of happy audience members was unexpectedly emotional.  It wasn't just middle aged gay men and wives.  There was a diverse collection of people of all ages and most importantly, they knew the songs ...and many of them also knew all of the camp arm movements too.  It was a genuinely endearing moment to see so many people experiencing utterly, blissful, unabashed pure joy. 

We were all so thankful that we got to experience that joy again with the Live album in various versions, including a DVD and bluray.  Many people don't realise that it's also available on iTunes, see link below.  It was Blue Monday yesterday and I can't think of a better way to wash those blues away than watch one of the worlds greatest pop groups back together again.

Bananarama Live album on vinyl on sale!

Just shy of £16. Be quick! Link: Click here

Boston!

Bananarama hit Boston last night for the second gig of their US tour.

Photo source: @siemienas on Twitter

Fan @JamesDerekDwyer was so thrilled to be pulled up on stage, "I can now say I was a Bananarama back up dancer #lifecomplete"

After the show, the Banana's were interviewed by @BylliCrayone , an eighties fanatic and apparently a dance artist too.  His website is:  http://byllicrayone.com/ 

Bylli clearly has the magic touch (or he's a hypnotist?) as he has interviewed so many celebs on his website http://www.80sinyourface.com/ including The Bangles, Gloria Estefan and Run DMC.  Pretty amazing.  Whilst I can't really say that I'm a fan of his music, you can't help but admire his ambition.  His new single features Tiffany.  YES, that Tiffany!  I'd wish him luck, but I don't need to.  He's clearly having a blast!  How many people do you know that record their own music and meet their idols?  Not many? I thought you'd say that.

Bylli posted this photo earlier today.

 



Mr Crayone also got his collection signed by the ladies... which included the 12" vinyl of Bananarama's last single 'Love Don't Live Here'.

Surely it was Sara that drew the moustache on Keren's face. Tut tut (Ha!)

New York New York!!!!

Last nights Bananarama gig at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, New York was a knock out success!


Photo source: carlogomez on Instgram

As you know, aside from celebrating 30 Years of Bananarama,  this tour benefits cancer charities and this specific date was the launch of the Hard Rock's  2012 'Pinktober' campaign.



Photo source: carlogomez on Instgram

Prior to the gig, the ladies did a few media interviews and photos.  Keren wore a stunning electric pink number and Sara wore a fabulous black gown (which I believe was designed by the amazing Vivienne Westwood).



Photo source: carlogomez on Instgram

The Banana's posed for the cameras with the Pinktober merchandise and at one point they were selling some to customers!  Well, it is for charity, dahlings!

Photo source: @HRCAruba on Twitter

The setlist was a nice mix of old and new songs.  Of course, the most memorable hits were played to please the huge crowd of fans.

Photo source: @JohnWilliams73 on Twitter

So, what did the fans think?

@Bergaliciousss Still buzzing from seeing Bananarama. It was so much fun & finally hearing those songs performed live made me so happy!! ^_^

@CarlosMeVa OMG @VivaBananarama were flawless! I am a bit sad that "Only Your Love" wasn't played but yay at "I Want You Back"! :D

@banram88 #Bananarama concert was a blast! Have NO voice left from screaming so much! Keren & Sara put on a phenominal show! 13 songs/90 minutes!

@weirdonyc I'm dying!!!

@skevin10065 @vivabananarama @hardrock @hardrockcafenyc Such a fun show! I woke up with the songs still in my head!

@patrickbutman The @VivaBananarama ladies are so amazing live that I turned into @BravoAndy during their show last night.

@DANNYECHI @hardrock @hardrockcafenyc BA NA NA RAMMA HEY HEY HEY GOODBYE but please don't wait another 10 years to come back to NewYork

Photo source: @HardRockCafeNYC on Twitter

Banner-narama

Promotion for Pinktober!

Bananarama at the Singapore Grand Prix!

Last night Bananarama performed at the Singapore Grand Prix to an enthusiatic crowd.  According to the Straits Times , Keren was her usual cheeky self, flirting with the dancers and even playfully slapping Sara's bottom at one point during their set.

Another website recalls Keren joking about how one of their dancers was only 19 years old, and that for him, it was like he was “dancing with his mums”!

Apparently the setlist was:

1. Nathan Jones
2. Really Saying Something
3. Move In My Direction
4. Cruel Summer
5. I Want You Back
6. La La Love (New song!)
7. Robert de Niro’s Waiting
8. Look On The Floor
9. I Heard A Rumour
10. Now Or Never (New song!)
11. Love In The First Degree
12. Venus
13. Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye

World Tour Clip

1989 Tour Poster Manilla

Media Watch

Any sensible SAW / Bananarama fan will already be aware of the greatest pop event in history.  Hit Factory Live takes place on July 11th 2012 in Hype Park, London.  There was a bit of a media frenzy a few weeks ago.  Pete Watermelon was understandably proud of SAW's achievements and he was accompanied by a newly reformed Steps and spooky/fabulous Pete Burns from Dead or Alive at a press call. 

Here is the bio:

Live Nation are excited to announce the Hit Factory Live, a once-in-a-lifetime spectacular taking place in London’s Hyde Park on 11 July 2012. For the first time ever, the classic artists from the PWL Hit Factory will perform together on one bill. This unmissable show celebrates the legendary Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting and production team, the phenomenal success of Pete Waterman’s PWL label and, above all, the irresistible pop that came to define an era in British music history. Once called ‘The Sound of a Bright Young Britain’, it undoubtedly now stands as the soundtrack to a generation, with sales of over 500 million units worldwide. Acts so far include: Steps, Jason Donovan, Bananarama, Rick Astley, Dead or Alive and many more!

I'm not sure why the Mirror website posted this photo, taken from the pre-SAW era, and with a caption that reads "Bananarama: sulking because they knew they could never have Rick Astley's jacket".  I despise journo's that don't know their Banana facts.  The real reason they were sulking is because Boy George had stolen Siobhan's ciggies. 

Bananarama at the HardRockCafe in Dubai

Just a couple of hours ago, Bananarama performed at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe in Dubai @HardRockCafeDxb

Some Banana fans were concerned about whether their performance would go ahead after @VivaBananarama announced to the Twitter world that Keren had caught her arm in a sun lounger.  However, they still took to the stage and by all accounts it was a huge success. Below photo taken by @siemienas  One fan said that "Bananarama have still got it".  I think he was referring to the sun lounger, which I'd imagine had to be surgically removed from Keren.

This act of clumsyness is not suprising when you consider that Keren once told a story about stepping onto some glass and smearing a trail of blood up some stairs.  Infact, it was the very steps that feature on the cover of the 'Drama' album (see below).

When Bananarama supported The Jam

The year was 1981.

Pinktober: Women Of Rock

Here & Now Tour 2008

Hit Factory Live

Are you going?

The World Tour