McFly Lights Up Halifax: Energetic Homecoming at Piece Hall, UK – August 10, 2023

McFly kicked off the first their two shows at Halifax’s Piece Hall on August 10th with a show that left the crowd buzzing long after the final notes faded. The audience, a vibrant mix of all ages, came armed with cardboard signs displaying game invites, declarations of love, and unwavering adoration for the band that has defined so many of their lives.

From the opening notes of “Where Did All the Guitars Go,” you could taste the energy, with the crowd eagerly cheering along. The setlist was a well-crafted journey through McFly’s greatest hits and fan favorites, starting with “Land of the Bees” and moving through the infectious “One for the Radio” and the always crowd-pleasing “Star Girl.” By the time “That Girl” rolled around, the entire venue was clapping and singing along to the chorus of “she rules my mind, she’s fine.”

The band’s playful banter kept the energy light and fun, especially during “Room On the Third Floor,” where Dougie humorously referred to Busted as “Hanson’s ugly cousins,” before launching into a bit about staying grounded in tough times. Danny led the audience in finishing the song, creating a special moment of unity with the crowd.

As the night progressed, McFly showcased their charisma and humor, with Dougie leading chants during “Everybody Knows” and Danny teasingly redoing a guitar solo after Dougie jokingly critiqued his first attempt. The band then dove into a mashup of classic anthems like “Living on a Prayer,” “YMCA,” “Radio GaGa,” and “Twist and Shout,”.

Danny’s playful question, “Is it time to go home or is it time to dance?” was met with an enthusiastic call for more, leading into “Happiness,” where the band cheekily altered the lyrics to “I don’t mind Halifax,” much to the delight of the local crowd.

The emotional heart of the evening came with “It’s All About You,” dedicated to long-time fans who had been following McFly for two decades. Danny’s nostalgic reflection on his school trips to Halifax and his playful command for the audience to show their teeth added a personal touch to the night.

The energy surged again with “Shine a Light” and “Red,” where Danny took to the pit, screaming into the mic and moshing with the crowd, bathed in red stage lights. The band also treated the audience to “Forever Is Not Enough” from their new album and a spontaneous performance of “The Heart Never Lies,” prompted by a fan’s banner.

McFly closed the night with the fan-favorite “5 Colours in Her Hair,” leaving the crowd cheering for more as guitar picks flew into the audience. The band returned for one last goodbye, visibly moved by the overwhelming response. As they exited the stage to the sounds of “God Gave Rock and Roll to You,” it was clear that McFly’s first night at Piece Hall was nothing short of magical, setting a high bar for the second night.