McFly at the Sheffield Area, November 7

It’s been a tough year for McFly. Having ditched their record company for their own Super Records and released their fourth studio album free with the Daily Mail, some may be forgiven for thinking the band are trying to shake away their old reputations.

Tonight however, shows the band are still capable of putting on a great show. With the stage decked out in shipwrecks, TV satellites and metal wires, no expense is spared on the first night of their UK tour. In the past the band have enjoyed a stripped down approach but tonight the theatrics are in full flow. 

From the moment the band step onstage there’s a sense this show is going to be spectacular. From ‘One For The Radio’ the group are showered in fireworks as they leap about the enormous stage. The band are in high spirits and playing mainly highlights from the Radio: ACTIVE album the four piece manage to change the heavy rhythms into a fun filled performance. Moving onto a huge elevated stage, the band then fly over the audience during ‘Star Girl’ landing in the centre of the arena. Finally after a cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Black Or White’ the band finish with a performance of ‘Five Colours In Her Hair’, covering the audience in confetti.

As the young girls scream for an encore the band are clearly aware of their audience, but tonight they’ve managed to impress just about everyone in the room. McFly struggling? They’re only just getting started.

Photos by Dean Sherwood