Fans get kick up the ’80s!

Think back to the days when shoulder pads were the height of fashion, Dynasty and Dallas were essential viewing and Rubix Cubes were on every child’s Christmas list.

That’s what thousands of 30- to 40-somethings were doing last night when they relived the greatest hits of the 1980s at the Here and Now Christmas Party.
Although only half full, the Hallam Fm Arena was soon buzzing to the tunes which had accompanied the crowd’s teenage years with a few die-hard fans frantically waving their original supporters’ scarves.
Songs from the now depleted Five Star (only three members are on tour) proved some of the stars of yesteryear can still put on a highly polished show – although sets from Visage, Dollar, The Belle Stars and Altered Images were more reminiscent of bad karaoke at a wedding reception.
Gardening guru Kim Wilde battled a cold to give adoring fans thunderous renditions of favourites You Came, You Keep Me Hanging On and Kids in America with the help of bald brother Ricky. The 42-year-old mother-of-two even reverted to her raunchy bottle-blonde image for the show.

Energetic

Finally, after a restless second interval when the stage backdrop was unnecessarily changed from black to white, Phil Oakey belted out the unmistakable hits of the Human League.
After an energetic performance of Don’t You Want Me Baby, their 1981 Number One smash, the show was over and the crowd reluctantly adjusted back into the 21st century with smiles on their faces.
Everyone will surely be back to see Kool and the Gang and T’Pau next year.