Rochester Castle Concerts get the crowd singing and dancing

Pop fans turned up at Rochester Castle Gardens in their dancing shoes and boogied away the last few nights.

With the rain somehow staying away during all the performances, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra set the mood on Wednesday with a barnstorming boogie woogie breakdown. 

Steps followed up on Thursday, although technical problems with the mics meant a short break in proceedings. And they didn't do 5-6-7-8 either, which left some fans disappointed. More disappointed were other music fans in Medway, who felt that bringing Steps to the castle was an insult to all the local musicians here. 

When the group were announced, Facebook users were quick to criticise, with comments such as: "So much talent in Medway. What an insult this is" and "I would rather have my ears gouged out with rusty spoons." Having witnessed the adoration of fans there, many of whom were kids when Steps ruled the 90s, I think its fair to say that Medway pop fans thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. But what do you think?

More well received was news of the Soul Party, featuring the wondrous Billy Ocean, collecting his pension but still in fine voice. His energy is amazing, such a great performer - but a nightmare to photograph because he does not stand remotely still for a second! Caribbean Queen was his encore and the castle gardens swayed as one, no music required as they joined in. Alexander O'Neal was also on the bill, together with We Will Rock You's Brenda Edwards, a former X-Factor contestant made good.

Lasers, fireworks, canon fire, flags and waterfalls accompanied the rousing patriotic anthems at Saturday night's proms. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra were joined this year by the quartet Amore and the Hertfordshire Chorus, with an appreciative audience in fine voice for Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.

Galleries of the first two nights are on site now, with the Soul Party and Proms to follow.