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80s superstars come out in force as thousands flock to new UK music festival

Electric Paradise officially kicked off on Saturday, with a host of famous faces from across the decades performing their biggest tunes for thousands of music lovers

Thousands of disco kings and queens flocked to The National Bowl in Milton Keynes on Saturday (August 8) to soak in some of the most danceable tunes in recorded history. New festival Electric Paradise hosted a whopping 45 acts from the dance, soul and club scene across six stages.

The one-day saw 35,000 attendees flock to the event which kicked off with DJs on every stage, including former Channel 4 star Gok Wan. Then, Sister Sledge opened up the live music with hits "He's the Greatest Dancer" and "We Are Family" until the whole crowd were Lost in Music .

The stars came thick and fast after that with Kool and the Gang belting out "Celebration" and Candi Staton treating us to "Young Hearts, Run Free". UB40 later took to the main stage as plenty of white, ros and Red, Red Wine was enjoyed.

[Gok Wan]

How to Look Good Naked presenter Gok Wan was behind the decks getting the crowd going(Image: Electric Paradise/Facebok)

Over at the "Glitterbox" platform, a string of DJs had Buckinghamshire feeling more like Ibiza as hordes of clubbers danced in the sunshine. Brooklyn Beckham's wedding turntablist, Fat Tony, played a set warming the crowd up for a blistering hour and a half of '90s and 2000s dance club classics.

Partygoers were able to throw shapes to major floorfillers thanks to Fat Tony, with songs from Arman Van Helden including "You Don't Know Me," "Barbra Streisand" and his collab with Dizzee Rascal "Bonkers." But he was not the only one to get people on their feet dancing.

[Pat and Andy]

It was the ultimate summer day out

Meanwhile '80s legends Cameo had thousands doing the world famous electric slide to endlessly catchy "Candy" and singing along to much-covered mega-hit "Word Up!" on the Big Love Stage. The Earth, Wind and Fire Experience, a world class 13-piece band put together by six-time Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Al McKay, came next.

The gifted group stormed through all the big Earth, Wind and Fire hits including the breathless "Boogie Wonderland," "Let's Groove" and the timeless "September." Shalamar shimmied onto the stage to keep the good vibes going as the crowd clapped, danced and sang along to "I Can Make You Feel Good" and the sensational "A Night To Remember."

[Al McKay]

Al McKay played some of Earth, Wind and Fire's biggest hits in his gig(Image: Electric Paradise/Facebok)

But the main event was "Disco Queen" Grace Jones who closed out the festival in spectacular fashion - quite literally! The hyperactive 78-year-old superstar strutted the catwalk into the crowd, changing stylish sequined outfits between songs, bantering with the audience and cheekily flashing them a peek of her bum.

[Pat and Andy]

We had a brilliant time at the festival

Fans were given quite the eyeful from Grace as she moved around the stage singing some of her hit tracks like "Love is the Drug", "My Jamaican Guy" and "The Key". But she did slow things down halfway through her set as she performed a heartwarming rendition of "Amazing Grace".

As a finale, the former Bond villain boldly straddled the shoulders of a security guard as she sang number one hit "Pull Up to the Bumper". She went out with a bang, hula hooping to "Slave to the Rhythm" as an encore.

Electric Paradise will return in 2027 and tickets go on sale Friday.

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