Stars roll back the years

It may well be the decade that fashion forgot but the music from the 80s is still striking a chord with fans. The Here and Now tour stopped off at the NEC in Birmingham, giving thousands a trip down memory lane.

From the giant trenchcoat and even bigger quiff of Rick Astley, the bright lipstick of Bananarama, to the hats favoured by Curiosity's Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, this was a decade of excess in every way. And on Saturday they re-created the magic in front of thousands of fans, many who opted to don leg-warmers and ra-ra skirts.

Twenty years ago Astley was, famously, a teaboy plucked by music moguls Stock, Aitken and Waterman straight from their offices and into the charts. Now 42, this tour has come at a strange time, his most famous hit Never Gonna Give You Up becoming something of an internet phenomenon.

An estimated 25 million Internet users were tricked into watching the video for the song by posting it under the name of other popular video titles, a trick which is now known as Rickrolling. The headliner, he kicked off with Together Forever, Cry For Help as well as a cover of When I Fall In Love, the Nat King Cole classic which he released as a double A side.

Bananarama, now with just two original members Sara Dallin, 46, and Keren Woodward, 47, were performing in their first Here and Now tour, kicking off their spot with the song that launched them, Really Saying Something.

Their set included a few SAW hits, Venus, Love in the First Degree and I Want You Back, taking them back to the days when they were the biggest girl group on the planet, having stormed the US.

Surprisingly, Paul Young, 52, neglected to play his most famous hit. Wherever I Lay My Hat That's My Home was conspicuous by its absence. The audience was, however, treated to Everytime You Go Away and Sena La Donna, a duet with Zucchero.

ABC, with lead singer Martin Fry, 50, were also a big hit with a performance of Shoot That Poison Arrow.