The Human League, Bananarama, and Level 42 enjoy Colchester gig

Thousands of Colchester residents and music lovers turned out for the 80s Calling Festival on Saturday, August 3, which was organised by LHG Events.

The festival line up was comprised of The Christians, The Farm, Hue and Cry, Level 42, Bananarama, and the headlining act, The Human League.

On song - Gary Christian, leader singer of The Christians (Image: Jon Sturdy Photography)

Throughout the festival, The Gazette was able to speak exclusively with some of the acts on the day.

English Jazz-funk band, Level 42,  put on a thrilling performance that featured slap bass guitar from Mark King, who previously spoke to The Gazette prior to the concert, a brass ensemble, grooving drums, and more.

Siblings - Greg and Pat Kane from Hue and Cry (Image: Jon Sturdy Photography)

After their set, Level 42’s keyboardist and vocalist Mike Lindup shared his thoughts on the band’s performance in Colchester.

He said: “It was great, I can’t remember the last time we played here.

Band - The Farm on stage in Castle Park (Image: Jon Sturdy Photography)

“But the audience was really fantastic, they seemed to really enjoy it, especially given the problems with the payment system at the beer tents.

“We had a great time as we always do and it’s nice doing festivals because you have to come on and do a fairly concise show. It’s sort of hit it and quit.

“We’re fortunate that we have songs that people still want to hear and so we really enjoyed ourselves, the weather turned out, all was good.”

Music - Level 42 performing (Image: Jon Sturdy Photography)

The chart-topping group Bananarama is comprised of talented vocalists Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin.

The pair have received widespread acclaim since their formation in 1980 and their set was fun, vibrant, and engaging.

Duo - Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin from Bananarama (Image: Jon Sturdy Photography)

Bannanarama performed big hits like Venus, Robert De Niro’s Waiting, and even a cover of Dead Or Alive’s You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).

Although Bananarama had to slightly start their set later than 8pm due to some technical difficulties, their set was a hit with the crowd.

Icons - Human League members Philip Oakey and Susan Ann Sulley (Image: Jon Sturdy Photography)

Keren said: “It was amazing.”

Sara continued: “Yeah, such an amazing audience, we absolutely loved it.”

Keren replied: “We were very silly today, we had fun.”

Sara said: “We had fun because you kind of feed off the audience, audiences are always great, but this was a really good one, so I loved it.

“We had a ball actually, we were dancing in the dressing room before we even went on” Keren continued.

Sara said: “It did not disappoint.”

Performer - Mark King from Level 42 (Image: Jon Sturdy Photography)

Keren said: “They were fabulous, we were a bit late on due to some technical stuff but then we overran, so we still did the set, the crowd was incredible.

“And driving though the area…”

“It’s only 45 minutes from home for me” Sara replied.

Keren said: “Not so much for me, I live in Cornwall, we’ll be driving back tomorrow.”

The pioneering electronic-pop band, The Human League, performed an array of big songs like Don’t You Want Me, Love Action (I Believe In Love), and Together In Electric Dreams.

Singing - Pat Kane of Hue and Cry (Image: Jon Sturdy Photography)

Philip Oakey, the founder and frontperson of the widely influential 80s group quickly spoke to The Gazette straight after concluding the group’s headline slot.

As he was being rushed off, he briefly but succinctly summed up how it felt to perform in Colchester’s Lower Castle Park.

He said: “It was good.”