22nd June 2025

I haven’t visited Milton Keynes Bowl for a music event for many years. It went through a period where it was not being used for music events, I think it may have become a training ground for football. Anyway, in recent years it is back as an outdoor music site, and I had bought a ticket to see Kraftwerk. Kraftwerk was on my must-see list. Even more years ago I had bought a ticket to see Kraftwerk in London, but they had cancelled. For some reason they have never appeared at Glastonbury. I would have thought they would have been a great match.

For this mini festival they had three stages, the main stage called the Forever Now Stage, was in the Bowl. The Other Stage and the Echo Chamber were outside the Bowl. Now looking at the running schedule, there were some bands I should have gone to see outside the Bowl, but I was totally focused on seeing Kraftwerk.

Parking was easy, though expensive at over £30. (Getting away at the end of the gig was slow but I was away in the car after 30 minutes.) The walk from the carpark to the Bowl is not very far. On entry to the Bowl, I was given a wristband, this was to gain access to a standing area in front of the stage, some nearer loos and a bar. To be fair, you could have stood near the front of the stage without the band. I expect the guys who ran the event expected a lot more people to be there. The whole reason for coming was to see Kraftwerk, and any other bands were a bonus. So it was good to see Billy Idol, seen him here years ago. With each of the other bands, there was always at least one memorable hit single which jogged the brain cells.

• UK Decay (Not seen)
• Berlin
• The Chameleons
• The Psychedelic Furs
• Johnny Marr
• Billy Idol
• The The
• Kraftwerk

Berlin, of course played their hit single, Take My Breath Away, from Top Gun

On the Other Stage there were some good bands, some of whom I regret not seeing.

• Theatre of Hate
• John McKay
• The Models
• She Wants Revenge
• Public Image Ltd
• Happy Mondays
• The Damned
• The Jesus and Mary Chain
• Death Cult

The Echo Chamber Stage had a few bands as well, though none I recognised, so not missed anything there.

• Richard Jobson
• Kirk Brandon and Stan Stammers
• Terri Nunn
• Jim Reid
• Vox (Mark Burgess)
• Marth Davis

There was food and seating outside the arena, and I ate an Indian dish. Beer was a tad expensive, but some nice, canned craft IPAs. Back in the arena I suddenly realised I was standing next to Mark and Emma. This is happening far too often, they spot me on TV, we bump into each other at Glastonbury, and here I was, standing right next to them yet again! They must be stalking me!!!!

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