Electric Paradise - The National Bowl in Milton Keynes.

I have not been to an open air concert/festival since the alternative closing ceremony in 2012 with New Order and Blur. It's true that I have had anxiety about crowds and that, along with a lot of other gig issues I have experienced over the years meant I had missed out on a lot. Since the pandemic, I do not go to gigs unless they are in seated venues with number on the seats (ie not unreserved seating). It has really impacted my mental wellbeing as I love music and gigs.

I live in Milton Keynes and can just about walk to the Bowl venue. It's an iconic venue for me as it was where I saw David Bowie for the first time. I have also seen Simple Minds, Robbie Williams and Green Day there amongst others. You would think I would have loved to be there last year for Forever Now but my anxiety got the better of me and I just couldn’t face it – anyway I had already seen Kraftwerk at the best venue ever (the Tate Modern) and also reviewed Billy Idol. So I told myself I was not missing out. But yesterday I remembered why I love gigs and what I was missing.

Yesterday, I attended Electric Paradise at The National Bowl in Milton Keynes.

Getting There: Anxiety, Chairs, and Small Victories

Before going, I emailed the organisers to ask about bringing a camping chair. With my back, standing for hours or sitting on hard ground is impossible. They said yes — and that small accommodation made the whole thing possible.

And honestly, I feel they named the festival wrong. It’s not “electric” music — it’s soul, disco, and feel‑good classics. Six stages, but with overlapping sets, and timings released far too late to plan properly, you just have to make educated guesses about who matters most.

I’d already decided the Big Love stage was my home base.

The Music: Legends, Voices, and Goosebumps

Odyssey

We arrived early and caught the end of Odyssey’s set. Hearing “Native New Yorker” drifting across the field was a perfect welcome. They were fantastic — polished, warm, and full of energy.

Gwen Dickey (Rose Royce)

Next up was Gwen Dickey of Rose Royce. For me, she was the standout act of the day. When she sang “Wishing on a Star” and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”, her voice genuinely gave me shivers. She’s in a wheelchair due to a spinal injury, but still sings like an angel. In her seventies and still delivering perfection. I adored her.

Gok Wan (DJ Set)

Gok Wan took us straight back to the 90s with an Ibiza‑style DJ set. Even my husband was up dancing when he dropped the New Order‑sampled mix — no surprise there!

Heather Small

Heather Small looked incredible and sounded even better. When she launched into “Proud” and “Moving On Up”, she delivered them with such passion and professionalism. She was the business. And yes — “What have you done today to make me feel proud?” felt very appropriate as I was in a big open concert for the first time in 14 years.

Jocelyn Brown

Jocelyn Brown arrived on a motorised scooter, but her voice? Sent from God. Hearing her sing “Somebody Else’s Guy” was a moment. She’s living her best life performing at her age, and I have so much admiration for her.

Cameo

Cameo aren’t really my thing, but they put on a brilliant performance and were certainly a crowd pleaser. “Word Up!” had the whole crowd moving.

Earth, Wind & Fire (Al McKay)

I was excited for this — I love disco. Hearing “September” and “Boogie Wonderland” is always a joy. Sadly, they had technical issues, which was gutting, and because of timings I had to choose between them and Candi Staton. I chose the latter and so glad I did this as Candi is 86 years old and when would I get another chance to see such a legend? I hope to catch Earth, Wind & Fire at another time.

Candi Staton

I love love love “Young Hearts Run Free” So we found a quiet spot at the top of the hill, away from the crowds and caught most of her set. Hearing her sing that song was everything. And of course, she finished with “You’ve Got the Love”, which is now 30 years old. I cannot believe she is 86. She is astonishing. I want to be her when I grow up!

Grace Jones

And then: Grace Jones. What can I say? She’s funny, unpredictable, and absolutely bonkers — in the best possible way. When she performed “Slave to the Rhythm” with that iconic hula hoop, and “Pull Up to the Bumper”, she gave us our money’s worth. Her headpieces? I want them all. But my personal favourite of the night was Nightclubbing. Still feels fresh today after all these years.

What I Have Missed Most About Gigs...

It isn’t just the music. It’s the atmosphere, the people, the outfits, the shared joy. I met lovely people, admired that people have gone to the trouble to wear their best festival gear (it was too hot for me to don my sequins) and told many people how fabulous they looked. But most of all, I felt part of something again. I felt I had not only overcome some anxiety but felt truly alive living my best life once more.

I also did 21k steps — walking an hour each way to the Bowl. My Fitbit loves me. My feet… not so much.

Would I Go Again?

Yes — if I can take a chair and stay in an area that isn’t too crowded. That’s the key. But now I know I can do it. I can start booking gigs again. And that makes me so excited.

Thank you, Electric Paradise, for making me feel twenty years younger. I saw legends yesterday. True iconic legends. You have to go!