Never Gonna Give Him Up - Rick Astley Proves He's Far More Than an '80s Icon at Forest Live Westonbirt
- Sam Holt
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Forest Live, Westonbirt Arboretum – Saturday 27th June 2026
WORDS / IMAGES SAM HOLT
Some artists spend their whole career trying to escape one hit. Rick Astley simply embraced his.
Yes, Never Gonna Give You Up remains one of the defining pop songs of the 1980s—and perhaps the most famous internet meme ever created—but to reduce Rick Astley to one song is to miss the point entirely. Over the past four decades he has quietly built a career rooted in his genuine love of soul, gospel and rhythm & blues, proving there's far more substance behind that unmistakable voice than many people ever gave him credit for.
As the fourth night of Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum got underway, Astley arrived with a band determined to demonstrate exactly that.
Opening the evening were London quartet Deco, whose short but energetic set immediately won over the early arrivals. Built around shimmering synths, punchy rhythms and irresistibly catchy hooks, their sound nodded affectionately towards the 1980s without feeling trapped by nostalgia. Having previously gained attention through inventive mash-ups combining artists as diverse as Oasis, Marvin Gaye and the Spice Girls—and earning praise from Liam Gallagher and Nile Rodgers along the way—tonight they concentrated on their own material. It was confident, polished and the perfect way to begin the evening.
Next came The Lottery Winners, and if anyone still thinks indie bands take themselves too seriously, they've clearly never seen Thom Rylance in full flight.
The Leigh outfit have become one of Britain's most entertaining live acts, and from the moment Thom bounded onstage demanding everyone imagine he was Freddie Mercury, complete with microphone stand poses and exaggerated rock-star swagger, the audience was in the palm of his hand.
Joined by lifelong friend Rob on guitar, Kate on bass and Joe behind the drums, the band mixed infectious indie-pop with a relentless stream of comedy. Looking out across the sea of picnic blankets and camping chairs, Thom laughed, "Look at you lot out there in your deckchairs."
Yet beneath the humour lies genuine heart. He made a point of thanking the sign-language interpreters working beside the stage, praising the festival's inclusivity before attempting—with limited success—to confuse them during one of his rambling stories about sunstroke. It was classic Thom: funny, chaotic and unexpectedly sincere. Songs including Letter to Myself and a triumphant Burning House, from Anxiety Replacement Therapy, confirmed why the band continue to gather such a loyal following.
Then came the evening's headliner.
Rick Astley strode onstage and immediately unveiled Lights Out, a brand-new song from his forthcoming album Red Book. It was an inspired opener before the unmistakable groove of Together Forever transported Westonbirt straight back to the Stock Aitken Waterman years.
Addressing the audience, Astley admitted there would be "plenty of '80s stuff" alongside newer songs and a handful of covers simply because he enjoys performing them. That's become one of his greatest strengths as a performer. He's no longer interested in trading solely on nostalgia; instead, he celebrates every part of his musical journey.
The newer songs, including Dippin My Feet, Waiting On You and Never Gonna Stop, sat comfortably alongside the classics, proving just how naturally his soul influences have become part of his songwriting. She Wants to Dance With Me and Hold Me in Your Arms delighted longtime fans, while Keep Singing, one of the standout tracks from his later catalogue, carried a heartfelt message of resilience that resonated across the arboretum.
One of the evening's highlights was a beautifully understated version of RAYE's Where Is My Husband!, featuring sublime harmonies from backing vocalists Lauren and Dawn. Astley joked that clever stagecraft allows his band to do plenty of the hard work while he conserves energy, but in truth it's the chemistry between the musicians that elevates the entire show.
That became even more apparent during Cry for Help, where Lauren, Dawn and Ryan transformed the soulful hit into something approaching gospel. The layered vocals gave the song remarkable warmth and emotional depth.
As always, Astley proved an engaging storyteller between songs. Reflecting on life's regrets, he revealed he'd once turned down the opportunity to record Oh, Pretty Woman for the Pretty Woman soundtrack—something he now considers one of his biggest career mistakes. Pulling on a pair of dark sunglasses, he delivered Roy Orbison's classic with obvious affection.
But perhaps the biggest surprise of the night came courtesy of AC/DC.
Launching into Highway to Hell, Astley reminded everyone that before becoming one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, he was a drummer. Mid-song he climbed behind the kit, attacking the drums with genuine power and obvious delight. The audience loved every second of it.
As he laughed afterwards, "It's my show—I choose what I play."
Exactly.
The closing run was beautifully judged. Take Me to Your Heart, Angels on My Side and, finally, Never Gonna Give You Up brought the evening to a joyous conclusion. Astley barely needed to sing the opening verse of his signature hit as thousands of voices took over, while archive footage of a fresh-faced Rick from 1987 rolled across the giant screens behind him.
It wasn't simply nostalgia. It was celebration.
Before taking his final bow, Astley introduced every member of the band individually—a small gesture that perfectly reflected the warmth and humility that have become his trademark.
Another glorious evening at Forest Live came to a close beneath the trees and, as Astley himself joked, in nothing more glamorous than "a Cotswold field."
Sometimes that's all you need.
SET LIST
Lights Out
Together Forever
Dippin My Feet
Waiting On You
She Wants to Dance With Me
Where Is My Husband! (RAYE cover)
Hold Me in Your Arms
Cry for Help
Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison cover)
Raindrops
Never Gonna Stop
Keep Singing
Whenever You Need Somebody (O'Chi Brown cover)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
Take Me to Your Heart
Angels on My Side
Never Gonna Give You Up
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