Photo Credit: Alicia Woods
For the first time in over a decade, McFly returned to Scarborough’s Open Air Theatre, delivering a high-energy rock performance that was met with an enthusiastic reception. Fans turned out in force, and the warm, clear skies set the stage for a picture-perfect summer evening.
With a sold-out crowd buzzing in anticipation, it was up to tour supports Devon and Twin Atlantic to kick things off and they delivered in full force. Devon brought his signature charm, while Twin Atlantic cranked up the volume with their anthemic rock energy. Together, they did more than just warm up the crowd—they had fans singing along, clapping back, and riding the wave of excitement long before McFly even hit the stage.
A little after 9 p.m., McFly came charging onto the stage, literally at a run, launching straight into their punchy rock-pop opener “Where Did All The Guitars Go?” The effect was instant. Fans shot to their feet in a ripple of movement from front to back row, the first chords igniting a surge of energy across the crowd. As the last of the sun melted into the skyline, the atmosphere shifted as cheers erupted, hands flew up, and it was clear: the night was only just beginning to catch fire.
The turnout was exactly what you’d expect from a so-called boy band with 22 years under their belt, diverse, devoted, and ready to relive every era. Families lounged or danced in their seats, couples swayed arm-in-arm, and fans spanning generations filled the venue with an infectious sense of nostalgia.
If you blinked, you might’ve missed them. McFly tore across the stage with unrelenting energy as they launched into “Land of the Bees” and the fan-favourite “Stargirl” a track that’s arguably cemented itself as one of their most iconic. This was the moment the crowd truly came alive. Arms shot into the air, some gripping pints, others simply raised in pure elation, as friends and families belted out lyrics in unison, hugging, dancing, and losing themselves in the shared moment.
The momentum never dipped. With hit after hit, McFly kept the energy surging, feeding off a crowd that only grew louder and more engaged as the night rolled on. “We’ve got one night to make this the best night ever,” they declared, and they held true to that promise. Riding a wave of pure joy, the band launched into “Obviously”, leading a spirited call-and-response, teaching lyrics to those who somehow didn’t already know every word. The crowd ate it up, and so did the band. McFly commanded the stage with a rare kind of ease, locking into a connection with the audience that felt both effortless and electric. It was the kind of chemistry between artist and fans that’s increasingly rare, and utterly unforgettable.
Midway through the set, McFly delivered an unexpected treat, a full-throttle ’80s pop mashup that sent the crowd into overdrive. Just when it seemed the volume couldn’t go any higher, it did. With “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “Radio Ga Ga,” and “Twist and Shout”, the band tapped into something universal, pure, unfiltered nostalgia. Then, without missing a beat, they launched, quite literally, into their own feel-good anthem “Happiness.” It was a clever move, one that brought in every generation, even those less familiar with the McFly catalog, and turned the night into a celebration everyone could sing and dance through together.
As the encore crept closer, McFly kept the momentum rolling with a string of fan favorites, including the nostalgic “Room on the 3rd Floor”, the very first song co-written by Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher before the band had officially formed. It was a reflective moment, a glimpse into their beginnings, as they shared stories and memories from their two-decade journey. That tenderness quickly gave way to full-blown energy with “Red (The Lost Songs),” one of their heavier, more rocky tracks that turned the stage into a riot of lights, riffs, and movement, complete with a fake-out ending that saw the band dash offstage to roaring applause.
The night wasn’t over. As darkness fully settled over Scarborough Open Air Theatre, chants for an encore echoed through the venue. The band returned to a sea of twinkling phone lights, at their request, for the penultimate number, “Honey I’m Home.” It was a striking, sentimental scene watching the crowd light up like stars. Of course, all good things must come to an end, but McFly made sure to go out with a bang. As a mini trampoline was wheeled onto the stage, it was clear the finale was going to be anything but ordinary. The opening chords of “Five Colours in Her Hair” rang out, instantly met with an explosive reaction from the crowd. A timeless, globally recognised anthem, its infectious bounce turned the venue into a mass of jumping bodies and euphoric singalongs.
Midway through, the band pulled a surprise move, seamlessly weaving in the iconic riff from Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” before sliding effortlessly back into their own melody. It was so flawlessly executed, it felt like it had always belonged in the song. As the final notes echoed into the night, the crowd roared their approval, reluctant to let go of the pure joy they’d just experienced.
But the magic didn’t stop at the gates. As fans spilled out into the Scarborough streets, the energy lingered, families, couples, and long time fans reliving every moment, still buzzing from a night of unfiltered fun.
Taped Magazine 