Rewind North Festival happened at Macclesfield's Capesthorne Hall this weekend.

The 18th century country house welcomed all things 1980s, as the best performers of the era brought their biggest singles and their new material.

Over 22 acts from yesteryear came to Macc, on the three day event from Friday August 6 to Sunday August 8.

Music artists who stole the show included The Trevor Horn Band, featuring Trevor Horn of Video Killed the Radio Star fame, and Marc Almond of Soft Cell's smash-hit Tainted Love.

Cheshire music photographer Duncan Cowley took these amazing shots for Macclesfield Nub News. And we are delighted to share them with you!

It was the first live music event for many attendees, following almost two years away from gigs due to coronavirus.

Despite the heavy rain on Saturday, the sun crept out on Sunday to ironically keep Wet Wet Wet's set dry.

It was the Scottish rockers first weekend of shows in sixteen months, and came after the release of their July single Back to Memphis.

Billy Ocean, who had 12 UK Top 40's including the 1986 Number One When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going, was an early highlight.

He was the oldest performer at the event, and put in a spirited performance following the release of his acclaimed 2020 album One World.

Peter Hook and The Light would have been the favourite of many Maxonians, with him being closely associated to our town through Joy Division and New Order.

While Hook himself is from Salford, the latter bands have multiple members from our town.

His 14:55pm set on Sunday whizzed through New Order's biggest 80s hits.

A four-song punch of Blue Monday, Bizarre Love Triangle, True Faith, and Temptation, was followed by a rapturous rendition of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart.

It is the first of two Macc gigs for Peter Hook. The honorary Maxonian will perform at Christ Church this October.

It is part of Macclesfield in October Festival, for which you can secure tickets for here.

Back to Rewind, Katrina of Katrina and the Waves performed her first gig since March 14 2020.

The only American to have ever won Eurovision released her eighth solo album Hearts, Loves & Babys last year.

Glaswegian band Altered Images were delighted to perform, with singer Claire Grogan posting a glamorous red carpet shot backstage on social media.

Nottingham two-hit wonder John Parr also played on Sunday.

The 68-year-old holds the honour of being one of the few Brits to have a number one single in the states, but not in the UK. He topped Stateside with St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) in 1985.

Howard Jones also made an appearance in a stylish grey patterned cardigan.

Other acts not snapped by Macclesfield Nub News' photographer Duncan Cowley included Jimmy Sommerville and Pete Wylie of The Mighty Wah!

A groovy DJ set from Pat Sharp also got the crowd going by playing England's song of the summer, being Neil Diamond's 1969 song Sweet Caroline, following our nation adopting it during EURO 2020.

The local snapper Duncan Cowley had this to say on the weekend event:

"Saturday was a washout but Sunday was amazing with the Doctor back and the old Rewind Vibe."

"It was amazing and I even got on stage with Garry Christian to get a crowd shot - so chuffed with this."

Macclesfield Nub News thanks Duncan for his super snaps.

Rewind Festival has been running since 2009 across the UK, but only came to Macclesfield in 2016.

The 2019 event cancelled midway due to heavy rain, so it was the first Macc festival since 2018.

Bananarama were set to play in 2019, and had the longest wait of all acts to play in our town.

It is unknown currently how many attended this festival, however, 20,000 attended the last event.

In a statement, Rewind Festival had this to say about Rewind North 2021.

"Thank You Rewind North," they said.

"What an amazing, long overdue few days spent dancing to all our favourite 80s legends.

"We absolutely loved having you and seeing all your smiling faces in fancy dress."

The next music festival in Macclesfield is Macclesfield Family Festival on August 14 2021.

Celebrities making an appearance will include Bez and Rowetta of Madchester act Happy Mondays.

It will take place on Macclesfield's Rugby Club on Priory Lane.

Read our article about the upcoming Macclesfield music festival here.

Were you at Rewind Festival?

What did you think of the event?

Send us your best snaps via social media! Our accounts are linked below.

We think Rewind truly proved the claim to be the 'world's biggest 1980s music festival'.

You can view more of Duncan's work on Facebook.

Rewind Festival is set to come to Macclesfield again next year website.

They also have a Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

You can also listen to a Rewind North playlist here.

Love music in Macc? You may also like this similar article: 'Watch Me Break Apart' - anthemic album from Macclesfield musician Dead Nature out now.

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