JADAR

★★★★☆

Brit Fest was back with a bang for its sophomore season, with three fun-filled family-friendly days at Ashley Hall Showground in Altrincham.

This year, there was just the one stage, as well as a busking stand by the entrance. The main loos were by the entrance, with some other loos (and urinals) at the other corner – both quite a trek from the stage. Sadly, there were no portable sinks, which isn’t very Cheshire, but each portaloo had hand gel (not the urinals though).

There were far fewer food options this year and not so much choice for those with allergens (I’m gluten intolerant) but plenty of vegetarian and even vegan options. A highlight had to be the slush shop, with an extensive variety of juicy flavours. There was even a pick ‘n’ mix store. Closer to the stage, there was a nice variety of funky shops, from a bohemian emporium to a weekly bouquet service (now that’s Cheshire).

There were a few rides, and they were excellent, though the waltzer was perhaps a bit too intense. I have never been been on a waltzer that spins so quickly, and the smoke and lighting made it feel like a techno club. I absolutely loved it but Katie almost passed out and Leah almost threw up. It probably did not help that we went on three rides back to back!

Brit Fest is very much a throwback festival with its lineup consisting largely of 80s acts – especially the Saturday. Last year’s lineup, especially the Saturday, was fantastic; it was filled with iconic artists with songs that are universally known – even if you don’t know the artist, you’ll know a song or two. That’s what you need for a family festival. This year’s lineup, however, though consisting of some big names, does not have the same generational appeal. Katie and I love old music, and whilst we knew the names of all of the Saturday acts, we were unfamiliar with most of the songs. This year’s lineup, then, lacked the anthemic feel of last year’s.

Another issue with this year’s lineup is it consisted almost entirely of old White men. Sinitta was to be the lone person of colour (excluding the Black men in Ali Campbell’s lineup of UB40) but she dropped out. The only women were Katrina (of Katrina and the Waves) and the two women of Buck’s Fizz who are now members of The Fizz (both acts are British Eurovision winners!).

The first few acts – Blancmange, Cutting Crew and Hue and Cry – were perfect for the mid afternoon. Things really got going with Katrina, whose voice has aged wonderfully. Her set included her Eurovision-winning song, ‘Love Shine a Kight’ (our most recent winner) and, of course, her signature song, ‘Walking on Sunshine.’

The most memorable set came from special guests Blacklace, who were not originally on the lineup (Go West were moved to Sunday), who sang a mix of their hits and other classic novelty songs. They had the entire audience doing the conga and we even broke the record for the biggest ever Hokey Cokey (I was also part of the biggest ever Macarena when I saw Los Del Rio at 90’s Baby POP!).

The Fizz were one member down as Matthew Pateman, who joined the band last year, had laryngitis, but Nikk Mager, who also joined last year, held his own. They ended their meaty set with their Eurovision-winning song (our penultimate win), ‘Making Your Mind Up’ – complete with the iconic skirt rip.

Midge Ure’s set might have been the most popular with the crowd; he sang not only his own stuff but also some Ultravox songs.

Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey was a fun penultimate act but not as good as last year’s: Kim Wilde.

The worst act of the night was, ironically, the headliner: UB40 featuring Ali Campbell. His voice is still alright but he had little charisma or stage presence; his band members were much more entertaining.

His set dragged on for an hour and a half. There were plenty of hits in there, but not songs that everybody knows. He strangely performed lots of album tracks – that’s something you can do at a concert but should never do at a festival. Last year’s headliner, Bonnie Tyler, also song lots of little-known songs, but that’s because she only actually had like four hits – all of which she sang. She also has the personality to make it work. Ali only spoke to us briefly.

As if the set had not already gone on long enough, he did an encore, which he opened with another random song, before finally singing ‘Red Red Wine’, which one of his band members then decided to restart because the audience weren’t ready. I don’t know what he meant by that. Were we not lively enough? It’s ’cause they’d tired us out.

They then just walked off stage without even saying goodbye. Perhaps the set was cut short because they reached the curfew, which also happened last year with Bonnie Tyler, so she skipped a little-known song to end with a hit. Looking at some of UB40’s other sets, it looks like they sometimes follow ‘Red Red Wine’ with their second biggest hit, ‘Kingston Town’, and then an Elvis cover. It’s disappointing that we had to sit through loads of random songs that sounded the same but never got ‘Kingston Town’.

All in all, Brit Fest 2025 provides fun for all the family, but some improvements could be made next year: more throwback artists that younger people are familiar with; more diversity (women and people of colour); and a stronger headliner with a better setlist.

Brit Fest returns to Ashley Hall Showground from July 2 to 5 2025.

Photo: Jay Darcy @ JaDar