Photo Credit: Madi Ketley
Words: Sophie Thompson
McFly brought Forest Live in Cannock Chase to a close for 2026 in spectacular fashion, delivering a hit filled set that proved exactly why they are still one of Britain’s best live bands.
Eurovision stars Remember Monday opened the evening making a lasting impression on the crowd. The trio had represented the UK in Eurovision 2025 and immediately won over the audience with their effortless harmonies and infectious personalities.
Joking on stage that ‘there’s 10 million people here’, they also hilariously introduced themselves as a rock band…a really heavy metal band, Slipknot.’ Backed by Polly Money on bass and Hattie Steel on drums, the girl group showcased their stunning vocals throughout.
Songs including ‘Attention’ and ‘What the Hell Just Happened?’ highlighted their impeccable harmonies whilst their flawless rendition of ABBA’s ‘Gimme! Gimmie! Gimmie! (A Man After Midnight)’had the crowd instantly singing along. Having been together for 14 years Remember Monday looked every bit a girl group ready to take on bigger stages.
Scottish Rock band Twin Atlantic followed ensuring everyone’s energy for McFly was on top form. They delivered a heavier sound than anyone in the audience would have expected. The band treated fans to a playful snippet of McFly’s ‘It’s all about you’ before joking ‘this one goes out to Remember Monday who actually know how to sing’. A standout track was ‘Meltdown’ which got the crowd singing along with the lively beat.
Twin Atlantic introduced their newest single ‘In Your Eyes’ released just last Friday and teased their new album and UK tour arriving in October. Before leaving the stage, they thanked the audience ‘for putting up with the annoying Scottish guy shouting at ya’.
The sun began to set over Cannock Chase and McFly walked out on stage to the iconic sounds of The Village People’s ‘YMCA’ and wasted no time launching into ‘Where Did All the Guitars Go?’ setting the tone for a night packed with energy.
Between the constant jokes and infectious enthusiasm, the atmosphere never dipped as the band flew through the hits including ‘One for the Radio’, ‘I’ll Be Okay’ and ‘Star Girl’.
Despite celebrating 23 years together McFly spoke to the crowd as they reflected on ‘23 long, painful, wonderful, happy years’, before revealing that they are currently in the studio working on their 8th album. Looking back on the beginning of McFly they performed ‘Room on the 3rd Floor’ the first song Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones wrote together.
One of the evenings standout moments was when Danny declared that the audience would audition to become the bands 5th member, he led thousands of fans through snippets of iconic songs including Living on a Prayer, Pink Pony Club, What Makes You Beautiful and Twist and Shout. The entire forest became one giant choir with every voice joining in.
McFly invited Remember Monday back onto the stage for a heartwarming performance of ‘Happiness’. Moments later they invited their youngest fan (a baby) onto the stage. Elsewhere in the crowd a couple got engaged adding another memorable moment to the already unforgettable evening.
Danny Jones’ vocals during ‘Shine a Light’ were also outstanding soaring effortlessly through Cannock Chase before going into the rockier ‘Red’ which saw Danny climb onto the barricade down to fans at the very front.
Darkness clouded over the forest as McFly ended their set on ‘Five Colours in Her Hair’ bringing to close Forest Live for the 25th time.
Photo Credit: Madi Ketley
Taped Magazine 