AH the 80s.

There has never been a decade quite like it. It was the era of ridiculous hair and even more ridiculous tight leather trousers.

Dirty Dancing, Cocktail, The A-Team and Top Gun ruled the big screen, everyone wanted to live in Southfork, the Dallas home of the Ewing family, and the white suits in Miami Vice were the epitome of cool.

If only I'd known that those shell suits, hair crimpers and Global Hypercolour t-shirts would have come in handy in 2016. My childhood wardrobe could have pretty much provided the entire crowd at Saturday's fabulous Let 's Rock Southampton with some item of neon tat, had I had the foresight to hoard it for 30 years.

Events like Let's Rock, which was returning for a marvellous hat-trick on the Common, are an absolute joy to cover for the Echo because everyone is there for a laugh and doesn't take themselves too seriously.

That goes for the acts as well as the punters.

It was like a Who's Who of the 80s backstage, but the atmosphere was very relaxed from a group of artists who had seen it all.

I arrived shortly before The Selecter kicked off the day's entertainment at midday and enjoyed a spot of people watching as the artists began to arrive in their droves.

The three remaining members of Bucks Fizz, who were car sharing, were busy chatting to anyone and everyone and Sonia arrived in her family saloon, accompanied by her husband, daughter and a giant Care Bear.

Jason Donovan, who is taken more seriously in musical theatre circles, looked nervous as his throwback set got under way, but soon started enjoying himself as the same girls that have followed his career since the Ten Good Reasons days sang every word right back at him.

And even Rick Astley, currently enjoying a renaissance with his new big birthday celebration album 50, was terribly normal. He wouldn't get recognised when getting petrol on his drive home later that night he promised me.

More dodgy outfits and less dodgy behaviour makes me happy - there are many current acts who could learn a thing or two from these masters of retro.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here