Words: Joy McKay. Photos: Bella Briscoe.
I’d never been to one of the Summer Sessions events before, starting in 2024 these are larger scale concerts which take place outside in Guildhall Square offering a capacity of 3000, nearly twice the indoor capacity of The Guildhall. We arrived as the gates opened at 6pm and despite joining a huge queue of fans it only took twenty minutes to get in. As you gain entry to the square, the large stage and accessible viewing platform, faces you (and the Guildhall steps) with several food concessions and loads of portaloos on either side. The building is open, providing slightly more civilised toilets (albeit with longer queues), 3 bars (where empty water bottles can be filled), band merch and a sober bar. The site has been carefully considered to offer plenty of what is needed. However there are the usual restrictions on what you are allowed to take in and absolutely no seating. So this should be considered if you your party struggle to stand for extended periods.
After a week of blistering heat, the breeze was welcome, even if the occasional dark clouds caused concern, but we were lucky and the rain held off. Singer and mutli-instrumentalist Devon opened the show. Although unknown to me he certainly had many fans in the audience whom he delighted with his enthusiastic performance. He was followed by Twin Atlantic, a band I did know, who herald from Glasgow. Sam McTrusty’s beautiful accent on lead vocals sounding more pronounced live as they performed a solid set with hints of King’s of Leon, Placebo and Del Amitri. It was obvious they were the main attraction for some, as their fans sang along to this three-piece’s brand of easy going alt-rock. Just before the main act came on the unexpected final stage of warm-up started as the speakers started blaring out rock classics. It felt like all 3000 of us sung along loudly to Bohemian Rhapsody and it was really quite wonderful as our impromptu choir continued into Livin’ on a Prayer and Y.M.C.A. the crowd buzzing as the McFly boys took to the stage.
McFly formed in 2002 but seem to have often been dismissed as a kid’s band, despite their pop-punk/surf-rock sound being quite similar to many of their US contemporaries. Although a little older I feel like I have grown up with these guys watching them age, get married, have kids. It’s a band I’ve always have a soft spot for and was really looking forward to seeing them live.
McFly did not disappoint, delivering ninety minutes of absolute bangers from their impressive 20+ year career. Performed with just the right mix of relaxed confidence, fun and professionalism, these friends were obviously just having ‘the best time’ up there. As the evening took hold and the sky darkened the stage really came alive; the lighting design and video wall really lifted the presentation of the band, but also of the environment.
We danced and sang along following Danny’s instructions as he lead the crowd with the skill you’d expect of the front man of a seven album, multi-stadium touring rock band. As the music stopped and the stage lights dimmed the encore ritual started, knowing they had left us wanting more the band returned to the stage finishing, to everyone’s delight, with their first (and first Number One) single ‘5 Colours in Her Hair’. Containing an incredible “Master of Puppets’ style guitar interlude from Tom Fletcher, this was the perfect end to a fantastic show.
Dismiss McFly no more, they may be more likely to read – or write – your kids a bedtime story than bite the head off a bat, but these men are talented rock stars and deserve recognition.
- In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton
