"It's just joyous from start to finish - if you haven't had the Rewind experience, it's something you really need to do. It really is a great festival."

A man who recorded several of the 80s' most-loved pop tunes, Nik Kershaw's enthusiasm for the annual 80s music festival, held in Henley's Temple Island Meadows each August, is readily apparent. According to Nik, he's not the only artist who enjoys performing at the event: "All of the other artists love doing Rewind; not only are we well looked after but, since the crowd are so well looked after as well, you're playing to a happy crowd, which is a great thing."

Speaking of the many other acts that will be at the festival in August, The Guide asked Nik whether there might be any jostling for position on the bill - something he clearly felt was unlikely: "I don't think any of the artists give a monkey's, to be honest! There might be a few managers flying about and trying to justify their existence but I've never experienced any ego clashes between the acts. From my own point of view, I'm just happy to be there and they can put me on whenever they like." And whenever it is that he goes on, what can we expect to hear? "I haven't made up my mind how many songs I'll play but I've got half an hour. It depends what I can squeeze into that but obviously people want to hear the hits - and that's what they'll hear. It's great having all the old songs; they're like old friends I can wheel out and share."

The Guide was also unsurprised to find out which song from Nik's back catalogue was his favourite. "You get bored with playing some songs so you tinker with them, change them around to make them interesting again but Wouldn't It Be Good... I've never messed too much with that one."

The Guide was, however, surprised to hear his perspective on another classic, I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - which saw him perform before the backdrop of a spectacular sunset, no less, at 2011's Henley Rewind festival. "Originally, it was written for an acoustic guitar as more of a folksy protest song rather than a pop anthem. It just turned a bit cheesy for my liking. Then again, if it hadn't it might not have been a hit so I can't really moan too much about that. Playing it live though is a completely different - and a really great - experience."

Kershaw is a spectator as well as a performer. "I like to experience the event from both sides of the stage. I've been out among the crowds before to watch some of the performers and it's a great atmosphere."

When asked how he avoids getting noticed and mobbed by the festival-going faithful, he jokes "I'm a master of disguise - I keep my head down and wear a hat!"

Nik Kershaw will be performing on Saturday, August 17, at Rewind festival at Temple Island Meadows, Henley-on-Thames. The event runs Friday, August 16, through to Sunday, August 18, and features classic acts from the 1980s. Tickets start from �100 for adult weekend tickets and �55 for adult day tickets from www.rewindfestival.com