THE stage was lit only by a string of spotlights when The Jacksons made their entrance at Hardwick Live Garden Party in Sedgefield on Saturday night.

As an all-consuming bass note reached its crescendo, the crowd was shown footage of the Jackson family’s rise to fame and when the silhouettes of Tito, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon Jackson finally appeared amidst the theatrical smoke, the audience went wild. And then they were off, with bright lights, psychedelic colours, amazing dance moves and the songs we know and love transforming the ground of Hardwick Hall Hotel into a giant disco.

“Can you feel it?” shouted Jermaine as the unmistakable opening of the brothers’ 1981 track of the same name blasted out around him.

This was not the only classic the band performed. Blame it on the Boogie, ABC, I Want You Back, Shake Your Body Down and the balled I’ll be There were all lapped up by the audience, who were singing, dancing and clapping along throughout the set.

The band also sang a selection of their late brother Michael Jackson’s hit songs, including Rock With You, Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough and Wanna Be Startin’ Something.

There is always a worry that a band as famous as The Jacksons will fail to live up to the hype, especially in the absence of an integral member. However, at Hardwick Live, the group proved they are a still a force to be reckoned with.

Now in their late 50s and early 60s, the brothers’ performed the high vocals and slick dance routines from their youth with ease. The energy radiating from the stage was infectious and the crowd loved every minute of it.

More than 8,000 music fans of all ages attended the two-day music festival, which is now in its second year.

Friday night (September 12), saw Glaswegian band Simple Minds and pop rockers Scouting for Girls kick start the festival with electrifying sets.

The following day, the fun began again at noon with performances from up-and-coming North-East bands, fun fair rides and a host of other attractions keeping people entertained until the headline acts hit the stage.

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel set the tone for what was to come with an upbeat set, which culminated in the band’s biggest hit, Make Me Smile.

Dressed as a pirate, the flamboyant Adam Ant, meanwhile, got the audience dancing and singing along to tracks including Stand and Deliver, Prince Charming, Goody Two Shoes and a cover of Get it On by T-Rex.

But it was four brothers from Gary, Indiana, in the United States, who stole show and, as The Jacksons left the stage to a firework finale, the audience was hungry for more.