More than 2,500 people enjoyed the annual ‘Audlem Party on the Park’ as revellers partied in true 80s style, writes Jonathan White.
Signal Radio presenter Dave Johnson returned as compere and introduced each band with his usual panache and witty humour.
He appeared in a variety of fancy dress outfits and was assisted by fellow Signal Radio presenters, who warmed up the audience with several party classics.
‘New Moon Fever’ was the first band on stage and got the crowd into a frenzy with their energetic rockabilly & rock and roll from the 1950s into the 1980s.
The four-piece band included local personality Billy Gibbons on lead vocals and guitar with Audlem’s own Jim Kirkpatrick on lead guitar.
Neil ‘Kegsy’ McCallum (drums, vocals) and Steve Kay (double bass, vocals) made up the quartet.
They even had an unexpected flypast from a World War II Soviet Yak aircraft!
The main act were Europe’s premier 1980s tribute band ’80s Mania’ who performed more than 30 smash hits.
Numbers included hits from Duran Duran, The Human League, Kim Wilde, Culture Club, Wham!, Dead or Alive, Madonna, Spandau Ballet, and Cyndi Lauper.
There were several costume changes along with impressively choreographed dancers and a fantastic laser and light show.
The act reached a crescendo with ‘Together in Electric Dreams’.
1980s clothing was encouraged with some audience members wearing day-glo outfits, day-glo jewellery, fright wigs, fake and real Mohican hair, tutus (men included), together with inflatable mobile phones and inflatable ghetto blasters.
Fancy dress included George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley from Wham!, Mr T from The A-Team, Village People, a Honey Monster, The Cat in the Hat, Nintendo’s Mario and Luigi, a Baywatch lifeguard, and Gladys from Hi-de-Hi.
There were also food and drink stalls and face painting.
The concert finished with a grand finale fireworks display by Blitz Fireworks.
‘Audlem Party on the Park’ was organised by ASET (Audlem Special Events Team).
The event was supported by Cheshire East Council and Audlem Parish Council.
Thanks were given to the ticket office at Williams Newsagents, Victor Vernon (fields), Robert Poole (storage), PET Hire (equipment & fencing), Garratt Skip Hire, Build Base Nantwich (materials), Eric Callwood (farmer, parking), Audlem Printers and all the volunteer stewards and stage crew.
(Words and pictures courtesy of Jonathan White)
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