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Hundreds turn out for Let's Rock Kent festival in Mote Park, Maidstone, with 80s bands Wet Wet Wet and Bananarama

20:17, 04 September 2022

updated: 20:19, 04 September 2022

Hundreds of people dressed up in rainbow colours, tutus and leg warmers for the return of 80s music festival Let's Rock Kent.

The outdoor concert, which boasted a headline performance from Wet Wet Wet, turned back the clock at Maidstone’s Mote Park on Saturday.

There were acts from the 80s and 90s. Picture: Rachel Evans
There were acts from the 80s and 90s. Picture: Rachel Evans
Hundreds came out for the festival. Picture: Rachel Evans
Hundreds came out for the festival. Picture: Rachel Evans
Guests were loving the music. Picture: Rachel Evans
Guests were loving the music. Picture: Rachel Evans

The one-day retro festival saw a number of top artists from the ‘80s and ‘90s perform their biggest hits to fans from all over the county.

Topping the bill was Wet Wet Wet, who spent 15 weeks at No.1 in 1994 for their cover of The Troggs’ Love Is All Around. The track featured heavily in the blockbuster film Four Weddings and a Funeral and, in later years, also appeared in a second Hugh Grant film, Love Actually.

Since forming in 1982, the Scottish group have seen success with singles such as Sweet Little Mystery, Angel Eyes (Home and Away) and Goodnight Girl.

Retro festival Let’s Rock Kent 2022 in Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Rachel Evans
Retro festival Let’s Rock Kent 2022 in Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Rachel Evans
Leg warmers made a comeback for the day. Picture: Rachel Evans
Leg warmers made a comeback for the day. Picture: Rachel Evans
Tutu's also made a return. Picture: Rachel Evans
Tutu's also made a return. Picture: Rachel Evans

Original frontman Marti Pellow left the group - for a second time - in 2017 and has since been replaced by Liberty X singer and The Voice winner Kevin Simm.

Wet Wet Wet was joined by pop girl group Bananarama. The former trio have been performing their smash hit singles, including Venus and Shy Boy, as a two-piece since the ‘90s.

Let’s Rock Kent returned to Mote Park on Saturday. Picture: Rachel Evans
Let’s Rock Kent returned to Mote Park on Saturday. Picture: Rachel Evans
Many dressed up in bright colours and prints. Picture: Rachel Evans
Many dressed up in bright colours and prints. Picture: Rachel Evans
Most people were pictured dancing and singing along. Picture: Rachel Evans
Most people were pictured dancing and singing along. Picture: Rachel Evans

Also hitting the Let’s Rock Kent stage was Sheffield-based band ABC, disco legends Sister Sledge, pop duo Go West, the One and Only singer Chesney Hawkes, pop rock group T’Pau and BRIT Award-winner Sonique, among many others.

Pictures from the event show hundreds of people – many of whom were dressed up in 80s themed fashion – gathering around the main stage to sing along to the old school bangers.

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