McFly take a step back to the 80s during Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse show with their fans gleefully joining for the ride

After 20 years the McFly boys appeared as self-assured and self-aware as they have ever been

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09:07, 16 NOV 2023

McFly rockin' away during their first of two nights at Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse (Image: Michael Bond)

McFly brought the 80s-inspired power ballads and rock ‘n’ roll anthems to Manchester during their first of two nights at O2 Victoria Warehouse.

Judging by the brimming to capacity venue, on Wednesday evening, booking the boys for a second night appeared to have been a wise choice. Ahead of their arrival, the speaker system blared out the kind of songs which are staples of O2 Ritz clubnight Ultimate Power.

Livin’ On A Prayer, Bohemian Rhapsody and others suitably warmed up the adoring McFly fans (do their followers have a nickname?) with many proudly adorning their merch. That music selection was presumably specifically chosen to go hand-in-hand with the Brit Award-winning band’s very noticeable change of direction.

Yes, dear reader, the McFly you once knew are seemingly no more. Instead, the O2 Victoria Warehouse saw the boys take things up to 11 as they partied on. Arriving on stage to near deafening cheers, and a sea of camera phones rising, it would appear the musical transition on their latest record Born to Play has seen their fanbase gleefully join them for the ride.

Land of Bees, God of Rock ‘n’ Roll and I’m Fine were all enthusiastically received during their early airings. Seven records in, there’s really no harm in mixing things up and, judging from Wednesday, it appeared Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and, a shirtless, Harry Judd have been having a whale of a time doing so.

McFly drummer Harry Judd during McFly's appearance at Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse (Image: Michael Bond)

Throughout, there was a real sense of fun, something we can all agree has been in short supply of late, and it was apparent, much like many of the fans who have backed them throughout, the lads are as confident in themselves as they’ve ever been. Steven Battelle, Born to Play collaborator, part of the evening’s support, joined the McFly troupe for Shine On.

That wasn’t the only guest appearance of the evening as, at one point, Danny stopped proceedings to get a fan on stage to join the band playing a cowbell. The devotee taking many joyous videos, as she performed, which are soon sure to be all over Insta.

McFly's Tom Fletcher performing with the band at Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse (Image: Michael Bond)

Later, there was a tender moment with just Tom and Danny on stage. The pair discussed their first meeting some 22-years-ago and Danny jumping on a train at Manchester Victoria to see his bandmate as their blossoming bromance took off. This saw airings of Not Alone and McFly calling card All About You.

Returning to the stage, Dougie then set Manchester the challenge of taking Leeds’ crown of being their best northern tour date of the group’s autumn/winter tour. Something he went on to award as he declared ‘Manchester, you have been f**king great’.

Dougie Poynter of McFly on stage at the O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester

Over the two decades, via stints in the jungle, waltzing on Strictly Come Dancing and writing children’s books, the McFly boys, and their fans alike, have been there for each other every step of the way.

Probably emphasised most by Wednesday evening’s closer 5 Colours in Her Hair which took us all back to where it began. One would wager there might be quite a few familiar faces making a return visit to O2 Victoria Warehouse on Thursday evening.

McFly take a step back to the 80s during Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse show with their fans gleefully joining for the ride

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