“Let’s Rock” 2025
from the UK stages to South Africa
Let’s start with the question, what is “Let’s Rock”?
“Let’s Rock” is an annual music festival held throughout the United Kingdom since 2009, featuring iconic music from the 1980s. This festival has grown immensely in popularity to become one of the biggest gatherings for retro music enthusiasts in the UK, known for its stellar lineups and vibrant 80s atmosphere.
Breakout Events is bringing “Let’s Rock” to South Africa in 2025 for your dosage of 80s nostalgia in Johannesburg and Durban, featuring a mix of international legends and local icons!
Johannesburg
• Date: Saturday, 15 February 2025
• Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Venue: Marks Park, Emmarentia
• Tickets: Available through Howler
Durban
• Date: Sunday, 16 February 2025
• Time: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Venue: Durban Botanic Gardens
• Tickets: Available through Webtickets
Headlining the festival are 80s music icons Tom Bailey and Midge Ure whom will perform their timeless hits.
• Tom Bailey
Tom Bailey is an English musician, singer and songwriter whom is best known as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the iconic band “Thompson Twins”, founded in 1977. Initially part of the UK’s new wave and synth-pop movement, Thompson Twins gained international fame with hits like “Hold Me Now”, “Doctor! Doctor!”, “You Take Me Up” and “Love On Your Side”.
After Thompson Twins disbanded in the early 1990s, Bailey explored various musical projects, including world and ambient music under the moniker International Observer. In 2014, he returned to performing Thompson Twins classics live, embarking on solo tours and releasing new music, including his 2018 album “Science Fiction.” South Africa will have the fantastic opportunity to see Bailey perform live with his all-female line-up featuring Charlotte Raven (vocals and keyboards), Vicky Warwick (bass, vocals and keyboards) and Paulina Szczepaniak (electronic drums).
Tom Bailey remains an influential figure in pop music, known for his distinctive voice, melodic songwriting, and contributions to the 1980s synth-pop era.
• Midge Ure
Multiple award-winning, platinum-selling artist Midge Ure is a Scottish musician, singer, songwriter and producer best known as the frontman of the iconic synth-pop band “Ultravox”.
Ure first gained recognition in the late 1970s as a member of “Slik” (R&B) and “Rich Kids” (New Wave) before joining “Visage”, where he played a key role in the creation of the New Romantic movement. However, it was with Ultravox that he achieved mainstream success. Taking over as lead vocalist and guitarist in 1979, Ure helped shape the band’s signature sound, blending electronic music with dramatic, orchestral elements. Under his leadership, Ultravox released influential albums such as Vienna (1980), which featured the timeless hit “Vienna”, Rage in Eden (1981) with the ever powerful “The Voice”, and who can forget the classic “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes” from Lament (1984).
Beyond Ultravox, Midge Ure was a key figure in the Live Aid movement, co-writing and producing “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in 1984 alongside Bob Geldof. The song became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
As a solo artist, Midge Ure released several albums, including The Gift (1985), which featured the hit single “If I Was”. His contributions to music have earned him two Ivor Novello Awards and an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his charity work. That’s just a start.
Midge Ure continues to tour and perform, celebrating his legacy as a pioneer of electronic and new wave music.
The finest musical talent from South Africa will be supporting these two global stars:
• Steve Louw’s Big Sky: Celebrated South African award winning rock band. (“Strange Room”)
• Just Jinjer: One of the top-selling rock bands from South Africa. (“Shallow Waters”)
• PJ Powers: Beloved for the anthem “Jabulani”.
• Cindy Alter (Clout): Known for the hit “Substitute”.
• John Ellis (Tree63): Recognized for “A Million Lights”.
• James Stewart (The Usual): Known for “Like a Vision”.
• Brent Harris and Thee Jam: Renowned South African musicians.
Let’s Rock guarantees an energetic celebration of music from the past and present, making it the ultimate retro event you won’t want to miss!
This is your chance to relive the 80s magic with your whole family!
