Let’s Rock The Moor returns to Cookham - eighties fans prepare for retro festival

Let’s Rock The Moor began in 2009 as a charity event attended by 1,200 people and headlined by Nick Heyward (who remains part of the Let’s Rock family).

In 2019, almost ten times that audience will be treated to non-stop entertainment and hits from many of the biggest names from the 80s including Erasure’s Andy Bell, Marc Almond, Shalamar, Jason Donovan, Go West and Nik Kershaw.

So what is it that keeps the stars of the eighties returning to the stage at Let’s Rock year after year?

“The Let’s Rock audiences are among the best we’ve ever played for”, said Peter Cox from Go West.

“They always make us feel so welcome and are full of enthusiasm and energy - we feel that onstage and it fires us up.”

“They are always such a warm hearted and generous audience. It’s all about having a great time and I love playing to them”, Marc Almond added.

And for Nik Kershaw? “Their boundless (and shameless) enthusiasm and their ability to clap whilst holding an umbrella”, he said.

And the eighties provided a string of great memories for the Let’s Rock performers - so it comes as no surprise they cannot wait to relive the fun.

For Jason Donovan it was “starting in Neighbours, having a number one single and album, coming to London for the first time, then moving from Australia to here eventually, appearing on Top of the Pops, going on tour. It was a heady time.”

And for Owen Paul it was the “chaos of it all”. He said: “From being a complete unknown to being on every TV show and in every tabloid within 24 hours changed everything for me.

“I couldn’t leave the house without security… but ‘My Favourite Waste of Time’ is a song that I’m very proud of and I cannot wait to sing it at all twelve Let’s Rock’s this year.”

For Nik it was “being accosted by Miles Davis at a gig in New York and him asking me to write something for him. Yes, that actually happened”.

Peter Cox added: “I have many great memories of the 80s! Having a hit with our very first single - travelling to the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, each for the first time. 

“Recording, performing and having a blast with a tight circle of friends - but winning the Brit Best Newcomer Award in 1986 was obviously a standout moment.”

And to get a taste of what to expect when the retro festival returns to Marsh Meadow on May 18 - what are the artists’ favourite songs to perform?

Nik said: “All the hits are fun to play in front of a friendly crowd but bashing out the opening guitar chords of ‘Wouldn’t it Be Good’ can still make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.”

For Dene Michael of Black Lace it’s Agadoo and for Limahl: “The two biggest hits because the audience reactions keep it fresh for me. ‘Too Shy’ and ‘Neverending Story’.”

Jason Donovan added: “They’re like my children so it’s hard to have a favourite. But if you make me choose, then it would be ‘Too Many Broken Hearts’, my first number one. That song changed my life.”

Let’s Rock The Moor is the first of the twelve Let’s Rock festivals this summer, which run through to Let’s Rock Essex on September 7, taking in locations all over the UK, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

A combined audience of over 150,000 people will be entertained by the biggest stars of the era, with different line-ups at all the festivals. 

As well as blasting out the eighties tunes, the festival helps to raise vital cash for well-deserving charities - including Child Bereavement UK. 

Let’s Rock organisers Nick Billinghurst and Matt Smith said: “We’re really proud of what we’ve created with Let’s Rock and its such a thrill to work with so many iconic artists. 

“What makes Let’s Rock truly special is our amazingly loyal and up-for-it audience, and every year we strive to improve their experience. Here’s to our best Let’s Rock summer yet.”

To buy tickets and find out more about this year’s Let’s Rock The Moor, go online to letsrockthemoor.com.