Go crazy for 80s pop idol Rick Astley at the Virgin Atlantic 80s Rewind Festival in Cape Town. Photo courtesy feiticeira_org

If you were a neon-colour T-shirt, shoulder-padded jacket, leg warmer-wearing teenager in the 1980s, chances are you swooned every time pop idol Rick Astley sang Never Gonna Give You Up.

On Wednesday, October 31 and Thursday, November 1, 2012, Astley, along with icons Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Nik Kershaw, Imagination and more will be at the Grand West Casino and Entertainment World’s mega entertainment venue, the Grand Arena, for the Virgin Atlantic 80s Rewind Festival.

Brought to the Mother City by airline giant Virgin Atlantic, the festival promises two evenings of retro fun. Like its London counterpart and the Durban event, which attracted 20 000 fans, the Cape Town show will feature only the best of the decade’s talent and a nostalgic trip back in time.

It’s time to dig deep into your closet and find those stonewashed jeans, off-shoulder shirts, head bows and leather pants because you don’t want to miss out on the big prizes for the best-dressed festival goers. Another highlight is the Big Sing, a mass sing-along session.

I managed to snag a few minutes of Rick Astley's time to ask a few questions:

What was your most beloved clothing item in the 80s and can we expect to see it at the Rewind Festival?

My raincoat… I was at a Radio Road show back in the 80s and I handed it to someone who I thought was part of the crew, he wasn’t and promptly legged it [ran away] with my Mac, so you won’t see it in Cape Town.

What inspires you musically?

Lots of things, like everyone, it’s all to do with moods. I like a great voice but it could also be a melody or energy.

Where to from here, in terms of your career?

Who knows?

Who was your secret 80s icon crush?

Kylie Minogue and Debbie Gibson who by the way are still both in great nick [look great]!

And your millennium crush, besides your gorgeous wife?

I just saw a girl at the garage buying ice cream… wow!

Which Cape Town meal are you most excited to taste while here?

A vienna, which I have been promised by the concert promoter.

Which one of your songs would best describe Cape Town?

Wonderful You

Tickets for the Virgin Atlantic 80s Rewind Festival on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at the Grand Arena were available via Computicket.

Grab your hairbrush, find a large mirror, bust out your best 80s dance moves and sing along to Astley’s hit single, Never Gonna Give You Up below: