Newmarket Nights 2023: McFly

McFly:

Being a band for 20 years can often lead to one of two outcomes; you either have "creative differences" and implode, or you become a nostalgia trip that dines out on the old tricks without trying to push for anything new. Tonight's gig marked McFly's first since the bands 20th anniversary and it is clearer than ever that the above will never apply to them. The fourpiece are as united as ever, still looking like they are having the time of their lives on stage. This, combined with a setlist featuring multiple songs from new album 'Power to Play' (which features some of the band's best- ever work), shows McFly are in the form of their life and show no signs of slowing down.

Opening their set with the new album's first single 'Where Did All the Guitars Go?' McFly instantly had the crowd in the palm of their hands and refused to let go for their entire 90-minute set. The opening riff to 'Where Did All the Guitars Go?' could rival the best alt-rock riffs, and instantly set the tone for the night...pop-rock brilliance.

This was followed by Land of the Bees', one of Power to Play's best songs, featuring a catchy chorus that meant even those who didn't know the song were soon fully engrossed in it. One for the Radio' was next, one of McFly's most singalong inducing songs, providing one of many opportunities for them to flex their guitar- backed musical brilliance,
Star Girl still sounds as fresh as it did upon its release 17 years ago, sending the already energized crowd into a frenzy of dance, being followed by 'God of Rock & Roll' which provided even more proof (not that it was needed by this point) that McFly's new music fits seamlessly amongst their biggest hits.

'Lies' came next, showing the effortless showmanship from all involved. Tom and Danny's vocals were at their best, with Dougie and Harry pitching in with the expecting brilliant harmonies, as each member played their instrument to perfection. Dougie being on backing vocals did not last for long as he took centre stage to lead McFly through one of their most underrated songs, the epic Transylvania'. The almost operatic ballad shows McFly at their very best, harmonic vocals backed with a heavy-pop style where each member can show their individuality in a way that somehow still sounds fully united

The middle portion of the concert was a combination of incredible sounding old and new. Some of the band's biggest hits like 'Lies', 'Room on the 3rd Floor' and 'Obviously' were intertwined amongst more recent tunes like 'Forever's Not Enough' and 'Happiness'. 'Room on the 3rd Floor' provided one of the moments of the night as Danny, in his best rock n' roll voice comedically screamed "Here come the Nah Nahs' before the sing-along section. Another brilliant moment from this section was the band's cover of "Danny's dad" Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark', a cover that rivalled the Boss himself. The main set was closed in the most perfect way with brilliant renditions of 'Honey I'm Home' and "Shine a Light'. 

The tongue-in-cheek humour of the band shone through as Danny first showed appreciation for the crowd shouting "Give it up for you", quickly following it with "Now, Make some noise for us!". The encore started, not with a song, but with a few minutes of what felt like improv comedy between a friendship group. Tom kicked it off by asking "the question on everyone's lips... Is Dougie naked under the dungarees". This led to the band to then talk about their outfits with Dougie saying he was dressed as a stable boy. Danny then joked Tom was dressed as Rick Astley, and if he was a horse, he'd be called Rick Fastley. Dougie tried to set Danny up to tell a horse joke he told earlier; however, a slightly confused Danny told a joke about fish.. 

Once this brilliantly confusing back and forth was finished the band closed their set with the ever anthemic 'All About You' and '5 Colours in Her Hair', before taking in the rapturous applause from the appreciative crowd, who rightly loved every second