By Leigh Adams and Sue Archer

It must be a very special festival indeed when you get the artists looking just as nostalgic and emotional as the festival goers themselves.

This year more than any other saw a whole host of 80s singers and bands at the weekend's Rewind Festival visibly moved on the big screen as the 40,000 strong crowd showed their enduring appreciation.

And it's not surprising, considering all the elements that make this such a special festival – from the idyllic riverside backdrop, to the diverse acts recreating their smash hits and what must surely be the world's most colourful and fun audience.

Despite a washout predicted for Sunday, 80s fans at the Henley-on-Thames festival found themselves walking on sunshine by the end of another unforgettable weekend.

There was the usual eclectic mix of music from that diverse era, ranging from two tone and soul to jazz, synthesized sounds and a whole host of chart-busting pop sensations.

It was the synthesizer, a sound which epitomises the 80s, that was given top billing on both nights, with OMD and Human League being chosen as the headline acts.

And they didn't disappoint, with a spectacular performance against an equally eye-catching video backdrop.

OMD's haunting song Enola Gay had a special resonance this year, it being the 70th anniversary of the aircraft Enola Gay dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

But so infectious is Andy McClusky's energy and toe-stomping enthusiasm throughout their other songs, such as Joan of Arc and Locomotion, it didn't damper the spirit of the thousands of fans.

Human League were just as well-received with the crowd going wild as they performed hit after hit from the poignant Lebanon to their smash hits Don't You Want Me and Electric Dreams.

The vocal and musical prowess of both these bands made it difficult to believe that 30 odd years had passed since these songs had first aired.

And it was just the same for the many other acts as one by one they captivated the crowd with the tunes to which most of the festival-goers grew up.

There were the fun pop acts such as Kid Creole and his ever-youthful Coconuts, the girls next door Banarama, and Clare Grogan's Altered Images who got the audience clapping, jumping and even congo-ing around the site.

Niche bands such as Selector had a dedicated following in the crowd, standing out in black and white two tone attire. On the opposite side of the spectrum, there was something for the Rockerbillies in the shape of Slim Jim Phantom from the Stray Cats.

There was also a collaboration of several 80s artists under the name of British Electric Foundation, which included Eddi Reader, Peter Hook, M, Glenn Gregory and Thomas Dolby. This previously untested formula at Rewind turned out to be a resounding hit with the crowd which was treated to an unforgettable mix of hits such as Gary Numan's Cars.

Always a hit with 80s Rewinders are Nik Kershaw, ABC, Midge Ure and Kim Wilde, who once again proved why they were so successful back in the day.

I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me was belted out by Nik and the crowd in unison, as the sun resolutely stayed in the sky.

And Midge Ure's poignant rendition of Vienna stopped the audience in its tracks, as it clapped in harmony to the thumping beats of the legendary hit.

Always proving to be a favourite at the 80s music weekend are Billy Ocean and Go West who retained their popular status with Rewinders.

The crowd surged to the front as both acts played in the sweltering mini heatwave. Caribbean Queen never seemed so appropriate!

And Hollywood and Julia Roberts were evoked as Go West ended their set with the smash hit King of Wishful Thinking from the blockbusting movie Pretty Woman.

Perhaps the most unexpected release of the whole festival was not a new hit song, but a new baby! The 80s excitement proved to be too exciting for a baby boy who made his appearance on an adjoining field, and has since been given the middle name of Henley.

Not everyone gets to be born next to a field full of smurfs and human whoopie cushions!