Summer concerts don’t get much more picturesque than a sold-out show at Cardiff Castle, but when the sun is shining and fans from all generations join together for a sell-out show, you know that it’s going to be a hell of a performance!
The first act of the night was the unforgettable English girl band Remember Monday. After performing on The Voice UK in 2019 and representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025, these ladies are one of the UK’s exciting rising acts. Remember Monday opening the warm summer evening would go down in history. Despite the heat, the trio performed effortlessly, setting the tone for the rest of the night without being overshadowed by what was to come.
Next up were Scottish band Twin Atlantic, who wasted no time in delivering an unmistakable performance. Frontman Sam McTrusty was in exceptional form, delivering relentless energy with the band’s trademark blend of riffs and choruses. As far as support acts go, this was perfect. Twin Atlantic delivered a festival-worthy performance that got the crowd swept up in their performance and warmed up the audience ready for McFly; even those who were less familiar with the band’s work couldn’t help but be drawn to the band.
As the final act was nearly ready, the anticipation from the crowd was pouring over the barriers. It intensified as Mcfly’s unofficial traditional playlist was blasted throughout Cardiff Castle. If you have experienced Mcfly shows before, this is usually the queue that the band are nearly ready and always consists of Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Believin’, Livin’ On A Prayer & Y.M.C.A.
As the final notes of Y.M.C.A echoed around Cardiff Castle, thousands of fans danced and sang at the top of their lungs, which slowly erupted into cheers and chanting as they knew what was coming next. As the lights dropped and the song silenced, the screams from the crowd were deafening, and McFly exploded onto the stage as the first chords of Where Did All The Guitars Go? rang out.
Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter & Harry Judd looked completely at home on the stage, feeding off each other’s energy and demonstrating the effortless chemistry that has kept the band together for over 20 years. As the temperatures cooled slightly, the heat coming from the band did not waver; their interaction with the audience made the large venue feel surprisingly intimate. As daylight faded, the castle became illuminated, enhancing the rare moments where the venue and performance enhanced each other, and it was breathtaking.
The only brief technical issue on an otherwise flawless evening came during I’ll Be Ok, when sound was dropping from certain parts of the PA system and only reaching certain areas of the venue, but fans did what Mcfly fans do best – they sound louder! Thousands of voices sang louder back at the band, turning an awkward interruption in the performance into one of the loudest sing-alongs of the night. Truly captivating the connection between Mcfly and their audience, especially as the announcement of their 8th album was teased.
McFly have long outgrown the typical boyband label they were unfairly associated with during the mid 2000s. Thursday night’s performance was a reminder of their unwavering talent and ability to connect to the audience. More than 20 years into their music career, they continue to evolve without losing themselves. While the heatwave may have brought the intense temperature, it was McFly who brought the fire on Thursday, and that fire will continue to burn bright.
