Rick Astley: The King of the Rickroll Delivers at Latitude
Rick Astley’s Latitude 2024 set was less a concert and more a communal sing-along, a joyous celebration of a career that has defied all expectations. Once the poster boy for pop’s disposable culture, Astley has reinvented himself as a bona fide festival headliner, and his performance was a masterclass in crowd engagement.
The Suffolk skies were bathed in a warm glow as Astley took to the stage. His voice, still rich and powerful, carried effortlessly over the thousands gathered. The setlist was a perfect blend of old and new, with classic hits like ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ sitting comfortably alongside tracks from his recent albums.
But it wasn’t just the music that made the show so special. Astley’s charm and wit are legendary, and he used them to full effect. His banter with the crowd was effortless, and he had everyone in stitches with his self-deprecating humor. He even managed to pull off a surprise cover of a contemporary hit, demonstrating his versatility and willingness to embrace new music.
Of course, the inevitable happened. ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ was the grand finale, and the crowd went absolutely wild. But it was the moments before the iconic chorus that truly defined the performance. The anticipation in the air was palpable, and when those first notes hit, the entire field erupted in a collective roar.
Astley’s Latitude set was a reminder of the enduring power of pop music. It was a show that brought together people of all ages, united by a shared love of a timeless song. In a world of fleeting trends, Rick Astley is a constant, a reminder that sometimes the simplest things are the most enduring.
Photos: Sara-Louise Bowrey
