McFly christen London’s newest venue British Airways ARC
The band return home to play one of the first shows at the brand new venue.
Photo: Press
McFly tore the house down with a rager of a show at the brand new British Airways ARC venue. With the venue’s grand opening only being a couple of days earlier, this was a great way to crown the opening.
McFly, even after 23 years, are still one of the best British live bands going and, with the energy they displayed consistently throughout the show, you would think they were still fresh to the live scene. This show was fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the night.
Let’s start with the venue itself: it was my first glimpse of the ARC — all I can say is that I am very impressed. The venue itself was somewhat intimate, but the standing areas were tiered, with the main standing area towards the stage and then a stepped elevation for the second tier and again with the third, including a balcony going round the perimeter. It allowed for separation in the crowd, making it safer and giving plenty of space for those who do not want to be surrounded by sweaty individuals. It also meant that, no matter where you were, you were guaranteed a good view of the stage.
The foyer had a spacious section for merchandise, but also plenty of bars, including a self-service bar — it would’ve been rude not to try it out, of course. The sound in the venue was fantastic, with a few blips here and there that were to be expected. The venue nestles in perfectly with the area, surrounded by bars and restaurants and, most importantly, it’s a short walk from the Hammersmith and Kensington Olympia underground stations.
Now let’s talk about those boys from London, the hometown heroes of the evening: McFly. Kicking off their set with 2023’s Where Did All the Guitars Go?, showcasing the style the band has been adopting recently with the more hard-edged rock, they crashed onto the stage and immediately set the tone for the show. Immediate energy off the bat with very engaging on-stage visuals.
The evening seemed to all mould brilliantly, aided by seamless transitions between songs, with the energy massively picking up to the well-known classic Star Girl, electrifying the room as well as Obviously, with the band letting the crowd take over and allowing the atmosphere in the venue to shine.
Halfway through the set they played an inspired medley of well known anthems from all generations of music with Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen to Bon Jovi’s karaoke classic Livin’ on a Prayer to modern icon Chappell Roan’sPink Pony Club to What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction leading into a trip down memory lane with The Pretenders’ 500 miles to the anthem of all anthems Radio Gaga by Queen, then ending with Twist and Shout by The Beatles. This made for a really fun time, and you could not help but smile and laugh at the needle drops they were playing. This was a genius way to keep the audience engaged and to keep the atmosphere alive.
A cameo appearance came from support act Remember Monday, whose vocals on Happiness had the crowd hooked, with each member standing beside Dougie, Danny and Tom to perform.
Not before long, it became a hit-frenzy. The song that every guitar player learned in preparation for an emergency campfire song — All About You — pulled in engagement from the audience and left the band beaming with joy. Even after 23 years, it doesn’t stop showing how much moments like these mean to the band.
The show ended on the undisputed track of 2004, Five Colours in Her Hair. The venue erupts in early 2000s nostalgia, bodies flying everywhere and people losing their voices. This was undoubtedly going to close the set due to its impact, not just culturally but also for the band itself. A song that sums up the fun, charismatic cheekiness of the band and the best way to send those adoring fans home.
I can’t help but think that the people let down McFly when it comes to their popularity. They were one of the biggest names in the early 2000s and, granted, they were on the McFly vs Busted tour recently, but it seems their newer stuff does not get the attention it most definitely deserves. They are undoubtedly a phenomenal live act and hinted at the show that they are dropping a new album soon. Let’s listen, enjoy this album and rekindle the joy of loving McFly all over again. As the band name suggests, let’s bring fun British rock back to the future.
Setlist:
Where Did All the Guitars Go?
Land of the Bees
I Wanna Hold You
One for the Radio
Corrupted
I’ll Be OK
Star Girl
Transylvania / Lies
Obviously
Room on the 3rd Floor
Everybody Knows / Livin’ on a Prayer / Pink Pony Club / What Makes You Beautiful / I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) / Radio Gaga / Twist and Shout
Happiness (with Remember Monday)
All About You
Shine a Light
Red
Encore:
Forever’s Not Enough
5 Colours in Her Hair
See McFly live:
