The Bay Series is back for the fourth year in a row and kicks off this year with a nostalgic, fun-filled evening courtesy of those lovely lads in McFly. Whilst the headliners were fantastic, it must be said that the organisation tonight is woeful. It takes over an hour to get into the venue, and once in it’s almost impossible to move around. There’s also a massive barrier blocking part of the crowd’s view for no apparent reason, and unfortunately, all of this does dampen the evening’s spirits.

Nevertheless, the show must go on and by the time we finally get in, Mr Eurovision himself Sam Ryder is on the final song of his set, before what could only be described as ‘white person wedding classics’ from YMCA to Bohemian Rhapsody and Africa are played to ready the crowd for McFly. Appearing on stage, co-frontman Danny Jones screams “Cardiff! Are you ready to be McFly’d?” before the band break into Where Did All The Guitars Go?

It doesn’t take long for massive nostalgic singalongs to appear, with a nine-song run including One For The Radio, Star Girl, Transylvania, Obviously and Room On The 3rd Floor – apparently the first song Danny and Tom Fletcher wrote together, 21 years ago. There’s also some time for the band’s kids to join them on stage: Harry Judd’s daughter appears to play drums with her dad on All About You, with Tom’s kids appearing later on in the show too.

The likes of Shine A Light, Broccoli and new album cut Forever’s Not Enough get aired in the second half of the show, along with a mid-set proposal. Harriet and Keira get invited by Dougie to join the band onstage, and – congratulations to the happy couple – Keira says yes.

The night finishes with McFly’s debut number-one single 5 Colours In Her Hair, and even if the venue leaves much to be desired, the band themselves are on fantastic form. 

McFly + Sam Ryder, Alexandra Head, Cardiff Bay, Wed 21 Aug

words JOSHUA WILLIAMS photos CHLOE JACKSON-NOTT