We went to Forest Live at Cannock Chase & it was a beautiful family affair

Anne-Marie thrilled a stunning concert venue right in the heart of Cannock Chase’s beautiful wilderness.

Swathes of fans, including many young children soaking up their first concert experience, enjoyed a magical opening to the three-day Forest Live extravaganza that also brings The Charlatans, Johnny Marr and Olly Murs to headline over the next two nights.

This was a true family affair, though. Anne-Marie’s list of smash hits, so familiar from radio, seemed endless as she belted out, among many others, ‘Alarm’, ‘2002’, ‘Ciao Adios’ and ‘Rockabye’.

It was a bitterly cold evening as the recent heatwave subsided on Thursday night, but the singer’s 90-minute set from 9pm flew by.

Anne-Marie has a brilliant presence and unique sense of humour and her interaction with the crowd makes you feel like more than a fan at a music show.

This is a global pop star, 33, just three months on from the birth of her first child. On this impressive festival-leading evidence Anne-Marie is showing no signs of a slow comeback to stardom.

All of this in the picturesque backdrop of a dusk night in the middle of the woods - it was quite the sight, and sound.

Warm-up acts ‘ADMT’, a soulful chilled vocalist, and ‘Georgia’, an up-tempo drum and base party-starter, provided fans with some welcome build-up before the main event.

Anne-Marie doted on the crowd, claiming them the loudest of her run of headline shows as the field belted out ‘Rockabye’ a capella.

The mixture of her hosting and an idyllic venue made this a must-see - and there are still tickets left for Friday and Saturday night (only VIP remaining for Olly Murs) if you want a slice of the action.

Even a bit of early drizzle in between warm-up acts didn’t dampen spirits. There was no chance of grey clouds lowering the mood here.

If you’re thinking of snapping up a late ticket for the weekend, then there are stacks of food and drink options and facilities on site, from churros and gyros to a hog roast, pizza van, grill and even a Sri Lankan street food hut.

As a fan you can do as you please, get in early and stand near the front to take a more chilled out vibe on a deckchair (of your own) or picnic blanket further back. Toilet facilities were clean.

What’s more - supporting this Forest Live Cannock Chase festival supports Forestry England and does your bit for our stunning local woodland and the wider planet.

Anne-Marie is a brilliant entertainer and live performer and, if you or your family get the chance to watch her in the future, you really must.