The Hair Rock Experience to perform at Retro Rocks II in Real Time Live, Chesterfield

If you were around in the 1980s, the soundtrack to your youth was likely to have featured stadium rock bands. You know, the swaggering, pouting, long-haired, guitar-swinging,

spandex-wearing groups that delivered high octane riffs and power ballads.

From Sheffield’s Def Leppard to New Jersey’s Bon Jovi, the charts were crammed with metal-turned-mainstream musicians, spawning a generation of kids who loved to dress up and party hard.

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Last October, a themed night called ‘Retro Rocks’ was born at Chesterfield’s Real Time Live, with one simple aim – to relive those heady days once again.

Around 200 revellers flocked to Marsden Street, where a mix of DJ and live music saw them entertained with a night full of the rock songs of yesteryear. The band, a tribute to pretty boys Poison, played all the hits including ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorn’ and ‘Unskinny Bop’, with inflatable guitars used to full effect by the cheering crowd.

Dancing continued into the early hours, featuring tunes from bands as diverse as Metallica to Whitesnake – all from the same era, and bringing back many memories.

The night was such a success that it’s happening again on Saturday, March 28, at Real Time Live.

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Retro Rocks II promises to be even bigger and better than the original.

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The headline act is changed for each event, to keep things fresh. This time around, The Hair Rock Experience, a 7-piece band with male and female singers, will provide the live music.

You’ll hear fist-pumping tracks from Guns n Roses, Heart, Aerosmith, Journey and many more – and with a great stage show, giant beach balls and head-banging actively

encouraged, Retro Rocks II is all about FUN!

Promoter Sue Davenport explains the concept of Retro Rocks:“I started going to rock clubs in the late 1980s and absolutely loved it; everyone was there to have a good time and there was no pretentiousness, no hassle - just great music and dancing. It struck me that there were lots of people my age that missed those days, and wanted the chance to relive them, just for a night, with a mix of rock music from the late 80s and early 90s – so the idea of Retro Rocks was born.”

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“I was amazed at the number of people who travelled a long way to attend the first event – we had people arriving from Derby, Alfreton, Bakewell, Manchester, Rotherham, Lancaster, Kent – and a minibus-full from Sheffield. It was a great chance for people to get together and catch up; there were many reunions that night, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.”

Niki Stephenson, co-owner of Real Time Live, continues: “The last event exceeded all our expectations. Sue persuaded us to try out the idea, and it was a fantastic night. The Real Time team really got into the spirit, with spandex and guyliner out in full force, and the place was buzzing – we couldn’t wait to book another couple of Retro Rocks events in for this year.

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“DJ Muzz will be returning, and song requests are positively welcomed (get them in early on the Real Time Live Facebook page). We’re all looking forward to another great night, and this time we’re staying open until 2am so you can make a full night of it!”

If you can’t make the March event, don’t worry – there’s another planned for September.

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Tickets are £7 advance or £9 on the door – but get yours quickly as it’s expected to be a sell-out. Tickets are available online or from the Real Time Music Shop.

For more details see the Real Time Live website at www.realtimelive.co.uk or ‘Like’ their Facebook page.

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