Closing the 2026 Forest Live in Cannock Chase was British pop-rockers McFly with support from country-pop star Remember Monday and alternative-rockers Twin Atlantic. The evening was a celebration of musicianship, nostalgia and genuine friendship, packed with hit after hit.
Warming up the crowd was Eurovision’s very own Remember Monday, who brought charm, class and charisma throughout their 30-minute set. Their genuine sisterhood shone throughout the performance, Charlotte Steele, Holly-Anne Hull, and Lauren Byrne were accompanied by a rhythm section consisting of Polly Money on bass and Hattie Steel on drums. They immediately won over the crowd with their effortless three-part harmonies and infectious personalities. The trio’s undeniable chemistry reflects a performing partnership that has flourished over the past 14 years. Their live show consisted of some of their best known numbers such as ‘What the Hell Just Happened?’ and ‘Attention’, as well as a pristine cover of Abba’s classic hit ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’. Having joked about playing to ’10 million people’ and soaking in every sing-along opportunity with the crowd, these ladies are certainly making waves and it’s clear even bigger stages await them.
Glaswegian rockers Twin Atlantic were up next and took the stage by storm, turning up the energy for an uncompromising rock performance. Their set blended fan favourites from across their 19-year career with teasers of what’s to come, with songs such as ‘Hold On’, ‘No Sleep’, ‘The Chaser’ and ‘In Your Eyes’. With a constant rotation of guitars throughout the set, a special mention was given to their guitar tech Drew, whom lead singer Sam McTrusty described as the ‘most handsome guitar tech in Scotland’ before pinching a sign from the audience that read ‘just here for Drew’.
Introducing Meltdown, the band dedicated the song to Remember Monday, saying they’d had “great fun” touring alongside them. Giving a shout-out to the main headliners of the night, they also performed snippets of McFly favourites ‘It’s All About You’ and the instantly recognisable “do do do do” from ‘5 Colours in Her Hair’, prompting a huge singalong and proving the crowd were more than ready for the main event. Their closing number ’Heart and Soul’ sparked a wave of nostalgia amongst the noughties rock fans in attendance, bringing their set to an emphatic close with a thunderous wall of sound. Twin Atlantic had done precisely what every support act hopes to achieve: win over a crowd that largely came for someone else. Fans won’t have long to wait either, as the band revealed that new music is on the way, along with a tour later this year.
As the evening drew in and the sun dipped behind the trees of Cannock Chase, the crowd roared with anticipation. After iconic tracks like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’, and ‘YMCA’ blasted through the speakers, McFly burst onto the stage, opening with ‘Land of Bees’ from their 2023 album Power to Play. From that moment on, there was never any danger of the energy dropping. Harry once again powered the band through every song with flawless precision, delivering powerful drum fills that looked completely effortless. Combined with the charm and boundless energy of Dougie, Tom and Danny, it made for an exhilarating, fun-filled show that forged a magnetic connection with the crowd.
Track after track, their genuine talent shines through. More than two decades into their career, it’s easy to see why they’ve reached this level. Performing anthems including ‘One for the Radio’, ‘Obviously’, ‘It’s All About You’, ‘I’ll Be OK’ and ‘Star Girl’, it was no surprise their fiercely loyal fanbase has remained by their side. That devotion, however, has always been earned.
One of the evening’s standout moments came during a brilliantly chaotic mega-medley, weaving together Livin’ on a Prayer, Pink Pony Club, I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), Radio Ga Ga and Twist and Shout, into one joyous celebration. The humour and electrifying spirit are exactly what we all know and love from McFly, and this performance certainly didn’t disappoint and exceeded expectations.
Our opening trio, Remember Monday, returned to the stage for a joint performance of McFly’s ‘Happiness’, highlighting the genuine friendship that’s developed between the two bands. The feel-good moments didn’t stop there. Harry ventured into the crowd to meet his youngest fan, a baby in arms, before the audience witnessed a marriage proposal, which was happily accepted.
But the cherry on top of the evening was the surprise appearance of Tom’s 12-year-old son, Buzz, who delivered an impeccable guitar solo for the band’s timeless debut hit ‘5 Colours in Her Hair’, which left the entire audience on a high.
There’s simply nothing quite like a McFly audience. Every lyric was sung back, every clap echoed around the venue, and every chant was delivered with unwavering enthusiasm, proving that the 23-year legacy of this quartet is still alive and bigger than ever before. After all, once you’ve experienced a McFly show, you’ve officially been McFlyed.
The evening was filled with outstanding musicianship and pure pop-rock bops. Forest Live was a reminder that a memorable performance isn’t built on nostalgia alone, but on artists who still love every second of being on stage and an audience eager to savour every note.
With an eighth studio album on the horizon and more summer dates still to come in West Sussex, Glasgow and Chelmsford, McFly show no signs of slowing down.
Review by Charlotte Hooper
Photo Credit: Sonic PR
