'Joyous celebration of all things 80s': Let's Rock Southampton 2022

NEARLY 15,000 neon-clad revellers were bathed in glorious sunshine as Let’s Rock Southampton returned to The Common this weekend.

Spandex and brightly-coloured sun visors were the order of the day as a host of top retro acts took to the stage.

PHOTOS: Let's Rock Southampton 2022

The Super Mario Brothers, Prince Charming carrying a cardboard cutout of Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, cheerleaders and a party-goer clad head to toe in gold in honour of Spandau Ballet were among the pick of the fancy dress outfits on display.

Former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley kicked off the celebration of the decade that fashion forgot with a hit-packed set including Through The Barricades, True and Gold.

Adam Ant performs at Let's Rock Southampton 2022

He was followed by a surprise appearance by Nathan Moore of Brother Beyond fame.

Later in the day, Belinda Carlisle impressed the packed crowd with renditions of her 80s classics Summer Rain, We Dream The Same Dream, Circle in the Sand and Heaven Is A Place On Earth.

Scritti Politti and Roland Gift also performed before Billy Ocean followed by Adam Ant closed the show as the sun went down on another glorious day of retro fun.

Freddie Mercury lookalikes, Pink Ladies from Grease, The A-Team’s Mr T and a John McEnroe dressed in Wimbledon whites were among the more imaginative fancy dress outfits on display.

READ MORE: Retro-loving revellers flock to Southampton for music festival

With Top Gun returning to the big screen this summer, there were also plenty of nods to Goose, Maverick et al.

A host of fairground rides, bouncy castles, trampolines, ice cream vans, cocktail bars and other concessions were also doing a roaring trade.

One of 13 events across the UK, this joyous annual celebration of all things 80s offers gloriously unpretentious fun with iconic names from pop playing hit after nostalgic hit being enjoyed by a fun-loving crowd of all ages.

Let’s Rock 2022 is the biggest series yet, taking in more locations than ever before and reaching a total audience of over 150,000. The event first graced Southampton in 2014 and has included sets from Rick Astley, Jason Donovan and The Human League over the years.

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