Express & Star

Review: Craig David at Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham

A lengthy silence fell over Craig David after the release of Signed, Sealed and Delivered, but in 2015 he returned with his brand new TS5 DJ project and the promise of a new album.

Published

In support of his brand new album Following My Intuition, Craig David brought his UK headline tour to Birmingham's Barclaycard Arena for his first performance in sixteen years.

First up, Lauren Faith boldly strutted across the stage, treating the audience to her smooth and powerful vocals over lulling and soothing music. It is a daunting task for an up-and-coming artist to play in front of an arena crowd, but Lauren danced and wound across the stage like it was her home.

Kicking it up a notch, London rapper Big Narstie burst onto the stage, dragging the crowd into a cover of Oasis' Wonderwall to get them in the spirit of things. Big Narstie isn't just a talented rapper, he is a born entertainer - with his set you don't just enjoy music, you enjoy a good laugh as he frequently jokes with the crowd.

He creates a real party atmosphere - from bringing a large foam costume version of himself on stage, letting his brother take the mic and stripping down to just his joggers - and that's not to mention his tight, precise set that had an arena full of people dancing.

Without further ado the main act was here - taking to a pitch black stage in a stark white outfit to a chorus of roars from the crowd to hit single Aint Giving Up.

"It's great to be back Birmingham, this is my first show in sixteen years and I can't wait to share it with you" beamed David, before treating fans to an array of hit singles from his extensive career from What's Your Flava?, 7 Days, Fill Me In and more.

The crowd was a whirlwind from start to finish, but no one was having more fun than David himself as he bounced across the stage consistently like a pinball and danced with his backing musicians - many musicians talk about how they're having a great time live, but I have never seen someone mean it as much as possible.

He knows how to connect emotionally with a crowd too, belting out heartfelt classics that could bring the hardest of souls to tears.

"I wrote this song, and back then I didn't realise I was predicting my future. I hit a low and it was the hardest time of my life, but here I am, and it makes singing this song to you so special Birmingham," Craig levelled before a powerful rendition of Born To Do It single Rise and Fall. Craig David has hit some hard times, but he has bounced back stronger than ever.

The stage went dark, a sheer curtain dropped and when it rose again a large DJ booth stood in the place of his backing band - it was time for my first TS5 experience.

And what an experience it was, the whole room was no longer a venue but rather one large and sweaty house party - kicking off with a remix of monster single Rewind before launching into a varied set of old and new school garage with Craig's vocals giving them a new life.

"I told you we were going to party" David laughed as the crowd roared like an angry lion at each new track before Big Narstie joined him onstage for a high octane rendition of comeback single When The Bassline Drops.

Closing on mash-up single 16 uniting two eras of fans as one, Craig David left the Barclaycard Arena breathless - he's back, and better than ever before.

By Becci Stanley

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.