IT'S a raucous celebration of the decade that fashion forgot and it's returning to Southampton Common next week starring Adam Ant, Billy Ocean, Tony Hadley and Belinda Carlisle. 

Expect big hair, neon, spandex, leg warmers and shoulder pads as far as the eye can see as retro festival Let's Rock Southampton returns to its usual slot on Saturday July 9.

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 crowd of all ages, most of them dressed in their 80s finest.

READ MORE: All the pictures from Let's Rock Southampton 2019

This year's event will be headlined by Adam Ant, the singer and musician who gained popularity as the lead singer of new wave group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring 10 UK top ten hits from 1980 to 1983, including three UK No. 1 singles. Expect to hear Prince Charming, Stand and Deliver and Friend or Foe. 

Grammy Award winner Billy Ocean, who has sold over 30 million records in his lifetime, will return to the Southampton stage to play hits like Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car, Caribbean Queen and Love Really Hurts Without You.

Brightly coloured revellers will also enjoy sets from Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins), Nick Heyward, Tony Hadley, Scritti Politti, Bad Manners, Belinda Carlisle, Roland Gift and more with timeless hits including Summer Rain, Gold, Hold Me Now and She Drives Me Crazy. 

Daily Echo:

The postponed 2021 event took place in August after government Covid restrictions were lifted.

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. 

Let's Rock has also raised hundreds of thousands for its official charity partner Child Bereavement UK over years of events as well as three virtual lockdown specials. 

Daily Echo:

Tickets are on sale now at letsrocksouthampton.com

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