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I love Rock City for a gig. Perfect balance between an intimate atmosphere but still a big
enough capacity for those ‘you sing it’ moments to give sizzling goosebumps. The iconic
Nottingham venue is especially well suited to high energy artists that encourage you to
leave your inhibitions in the cloakroom, turn the floor into a sweat-forest, and ask ‘would
you like to say, “fuck it” with me?’ A perfect choice for the relentless McFly and their superb
support act LostAlone.
Despite having a significant presence on the rock scene since 2005, I was a novice in my
experience with LostAlone. That was until the Derby based ensemble roared onto the stage
in Nottingham, providing evidence that youth is eternal if you live with a rock and roll state
of mind (at least when on stage). Lead singer Steven Battelle, who is credited as a co-writer
on several tracks on McFly’s Power to Play album, and who has recently been working
alongside Danny Jones and Dougie Poynter as part of their writing and production team
SideQuest, helmed the group expertly, bringing showmanship and mouth-watering guitar
solos worthy of his ‘demented genius’ title. The audience was particularly entranced with
G.U.I.L.T.Y and their closing number The Last Drop Of Forever which delivered opportunities
for punky chanting that achieved the two optimum goals of any support act; created new
fans and got the room buzzing for the main event. LostAlone showed absolutely no cobwebs
after returning to the scene after a hiatus from 2014-2022, and I will be seeking out a
headline appearance.
After 20 years of watching McFly in the UK’s biggest arenas, seeing them switch to smaller
venues for the Power to Play Tour was an intriguing surprise. The Rock City crowd was
excited by this change, and for the final night of the tour, provided the same noise and
elation as a 10,000 strong arena as soon as the first brassy notes of YMCA (their go-to walk-
on song) enveloped the room. Part of the decision to tour smaller venues, I believe, is
because of Power to Play’s return to their honest rock ‘n’ roll roots, and the sweaty and
close environment that necessitates. This theory was immediately confirmed by the show’s
opening mirroring that of the album, with the explosive Where Did All the Guitars Go? and
Land of the Bees setting the tone. This was followed up with the anthemic One for the Radio
from the album Radioactive which many fans say is the most stylistically similar to the
band’s latest outing.
McFly continued their successful habit of rotating fan favourites from varying albums from
tour to tour, including the likes of Corrupted, Friday Night (a personal favourite), Too Close
for Comfort, and Everybody Knows, all of which have missed out in previous tours but were
received with adoration, especially by a lucky fan who kept up the tour tradition of playing
the cowbell (because there can never be too much) during Everybody Knows.
One detail Galaxy Defenders (if we’re doing fandom names) are loving about Power to Play
is the increased concentration of Dougie Poynter. The bassist, who’s personalised merch
always sells out the fastest, up until this date has always taken a more fleeting role when it
comes to leading the vocals. He excels on his bass, the song Lies being an everlasting fan-
favourite is example enough of this, as Dougie carries the bridge with a solo that invokes the
bad-smell recognition face amongst musicians (you know the one), but vocally reserved his
talents for occasional harmonies as well as the occasional feature. However, the bands
return to its classic rock and pop punk influences, Dougie has grasped his opportunity with
vigour. His crowning moment comes in the deliciously Blink 182 reminiscent I’m Fine, which
brought out the buried emo ‘kid with long hair’ of everyone in attendance. Here feels an
appropriate place to praise the influence of Mark Hoppus of the previously mentioned Blink
182 on McFly’s recent releases, as a frequent collaborator and co-writer. Hoppus penned
the lyrics for Route 55 whilst undergoing chemotherapy, for fans in Rock City aware of this
fact, seeing the upbeat tune performed was even more special.
Throughout the night Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher’s vocal performances were as
exceptional as fans have come to expect, 20 years of practice together is bound to make for
a well-oiled machine, even when a guitar dies right before a big solo and you have to fill in
with your mouth – great Job Danny, we hardly noticed – but their performances were most
awe-inspiring during Not Alone and All About You which they performed as a duo. It was a
mesmerising display of talent and a testament to a long-standing collaboration. The
harmonies in Honey I’m Home also deserve a mention, I’d been looking forward to seeing
them live for months and they lived up to my unreasonable expectations.
One the drums it was clear all night that Harry Judd was enjoying the return to rock ‘n’ roll
roots as much as anyone. Linear fills and tom-work maintained the punchy and bouncy
energy all night, and all McFly fans know how much the four of them love a bounce. Also,
credit to Sabian Cymbals, because Judd’s ride cymbal was perhaps the best I’ve heard –
delicate on the rim but the bell had fierce attack – top craftsmanship. Perhaps the thing
Judd did throughout the night that fans were most grateful for however, was inject his
charm just enough to convince his band mates to dig out a sneaky extra song in the shape of
That Girl all the way from their debut album – I love last night of tour presents.
Overall, McFly delivered their usual level of brilliance infused with irresistible charisma,
humour, and boundless energy, seemingly renewed by the rediscovery of their musical
origins. They were unafraid to claim their status as a band that adore their poppy sing-a-
longs like Obviously and Star Girl whilst simultaneously cherishing their harder hitting rock
bangers. It was unadulterated enthusiasm from the moment LostAlone stepped on stage to
the very last pic thrown into the crowd by Danny who seemed desperate for the tour to not
be over. Throughout their career McFly at times have had to suffer the ugly view of noses
stuck up high in the air. Excluded from circles as they were deemed not heavy enough to be
rock music. If you are one of those people, it’s completely your loss. Get over yourself, get
down to the ‘mushpit’ and have the best fucking time!
Words: Jack Knapton
Photos: Jack Knapton
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