Byline Festival brings back the 80s!

Relive the 80’s, but this time in a forest. At Byline Festival 23-26 August.

The Blow Monkeys, Suggs (from Madness), Matt Bianco, Jerry Dammers (Founder of The Specials), Don Letts (Big Audio Dynamite), Kevin Rowlands, Chris Sullivan (Blue Rondo a la Turk) and the famous 80’s WAG Club are all descending on Pippingford Park in Ashdown Forest to bring the 80’s to Byline Festival.

Whether you missed 80s entirely, or need reminding of the good old days, we’re bringing the 80’s back. Byline Festival is your chance to see and enjoy many of the leading hits, musicians, DJs and Clubs from the time, all recreated in the forest.

Don’t worry if you don’t have your 80’s gear with you, our festival vintage clothing stall will stock a full range of pirate jackets, black suede boots and big shoulder pads.

Chris Sullivan is recreating the WAG club that he co-founded in 1982 for one night only on Saturday with the original DJs.

The WAG was the place to be in the 80s and was where David Bowie shot his Blue Jeans video and Sade, Fine Young Cannibals, Curiosity Killed The Cat, the Pasadenas and Swing Out Sisters were all signed after shows at the WAG.

Reggae was also a large part of the 80s – we’re proud to announce Greensleeves Record Label is partnering with Byline Festival to create a Reggae and Dance Hall night with their DJs.

If your tastes are more up to date the line-up also includes: Lowkey, Pussy Riot, the Priscillas, Frankie Forman, PowerDress, Dan G Sells from The Feeling, Billy Lunn from Subways and Tokyo Taboo. Also, there is comedy with Jo Scanlan and Hardeep Singh Kohli as well as immersive experiences, workshops, talks and activism with the Rebel Rebel Extinction Rebellion Stage.