Last year saw the likes of Jools Holland and his big band, Beverley Knight and Lemar grace the stage, this year it was Katie Mellua’s turn and with the Here and Now 2008 tour rolling in to town tonight, the stage would be graced by 80’s legends such as Rick Astley, Midge Ure, Nick Heyward, Heaven 17 and Shrewsbury’s own Carol Decker.

The weather report said sunny with showers, so wellies donned, fleece on and waterproof jacket at the ready, together with the biggest golfing umbrella I could find. The trek to the venue was uphill, a task in its self with wellies on that are a size too big, and with a picnic and chairs in tow it felt like an unwelcome army yomp! Sweat dripping from the brow and gasping for a drink, it was obvious I’d put too many layers on! The venue is amazing for outdoor shows, set in The Quarry, which is a park in the middle of Shrewsbury town, very lush and green with all the shrubbery and trees surrounding it.

The crowd went on as far as the eye could see, all the way up the embankment. Hot pants, illuminous leggings, legwarmers and black plimsoles, People came out in all their 80’s regalia, I even saw a guy dressed as Freddie Mercury!!

Picnic hampers galore, made me hungry just looking, everything was on display, enough food to feed an army, sandwiches, crisps, sausage rolls, dips, definitely a family atmosphere, it was superb and highly recommended.
I was a teenager when the 80’s were here originally so this gig was very nostalgic to say the least. The age range was quite varied Moms and Dads had bought their kids along to enjoy the ride.

The show was split in to two halves: Toyah, Carol Decker, Heaven 17 and Nick Heyward followed by: Midge Ure, Bananarama and Rick Astley.
Toyah was first on stage, bounding around like a teenager, the crowd were in absolute ore. The set was very short, but had the desired effect the crowd wanting more and more. Singing classics such as ‘Echo Beach’ and ‘It’s a Mystery’ and then rounding it off with a fabulous rendition of the Guns and Roses classic ‘Sweet Child of mine’, the audience mouthing the lyrics at every opportunity.

Next up Shrewsbury’s own Carol Decker. Carol’s outfit didn’t leave a lot to the imagination, a flowing black top, which came to a few inches above the knee’s, apparently Carol had forgotten her trousers and in true style showed that the show must go on. Opening with Rock stomper ‘Sex Talk’, followed up with the two T’Pau classics ‘Heart ‘n’ Soul’ and ‘China in your hand’ , to which she dedicated to her son and daughter in the audience. Her voice was still amazing and her set was filled with so much passion and vitality, the crowd warmed to her and loved every minute of the set . Enough vocal talent to wipe the floor with the rest of the acts, I have always thought that Carol Decker is an amazing vocalist and her writing talents along with Ron Rogers were very underestimated to say the least. One of the most amazing female voices of the 80’s and her set tonight highlighted that.


click the image to see all the pictures

Heaven 17 were next up, can’t even remember any of their material, only Temptation and it seemed the rest of the audience were with me. An absolutely cracking rendition of Temptation, I was even up on my feet, had actually forgotten how good this track was.

Nick Heyward – ex haircut 100, I have to admit at this point I used to swoon over him when I was in my teens, playing the cassette of Pelican West to death, much to the disgust of my parents. Knowing each lyric intently, and with posters gracing every space on my bedroom wall.

I was a bit shocked when he came on stage, he was quite geeky looking with Buddy holly style glasses on and a fluorescent bib, looked quite scruffy, like a workman who’d been working on the motorway doing road works. His set was quite long in comparison to the other acts, belting out five songs in total, the best ones obviously from his Haircut 100 days, ‘Love plus 1’, ‘Boy meets girl’ and ‘Fantastic Day’.

I must admit I was slightly disappointed in the running order to say the least, Carol Decker, with her vocal prowess and exuberance should be further up the bill, especially outshining everyone else that was on the bill this particular evening, we wanted to see what was in the ‘Secret Garden’ and listen to classics like ‘Road to our dream’ and ‘Whenever you need me’, we only saw the tip of the iceberg.

The show was very enjoyable and a must for anyone that wanted to step back in to the 80’s and reminisce their teenage years, I know I did!
The evening was celebrated by an extravagant fireworks display, everyone seemed contented and full of food and drink and enough chatter to whisk you off to your car.

A thoroughly enjoyable night had by all, I look forward to next years extravanganza.

Michelle Owen