Despite the rain, spirits could not be dampened amongst fans whilst queuing for (arguably) one of the biggest bands of the decade, and Saturday's performance explains just exactly why they deserve this title.
Sheffield is one of the last dates marking the release of their sell out Greatest Hits tour, so the pressure to perform well must be paramount. However to get the fans in the mood for an explosive night, the enthusiastic warmup act Saving Aimee, playing only two of McFly's tour dates, and Elliot Minor, who's show would have converted even the most sceptic of listeners. Both showed promise to be next 2008's 'next big thing'.
Within 10 minutes of Elliot Minor departing the stage, McFly made their dramatic and well- rehearsed entrance in array of bright colours and camera flashes and belted out one of the first of many of their singles, all of which proving just why the McFly have been so prominent in the last couple of years. Not to mention the amount of fireworks, timed perfectly to every jump - not needing to set a certain area of the body alight here!
Although their set was a plentiful, hits-only from beginning to present, it was a surprise how double A-side Ultraviolet or even The Ballad Of Paul Kseemed to be knocked off the list. However, these were replaced with an excellent cover of Rhianna's Umbrella and an encore which did not just include some extra songs, but a slot in which the four created a scene of nothing but flashing cameras throughout the arena, rather than their famous Mexican wave.
No-one would have known that they have spent weeks of being bounced from one city to another for and hour and a half set with their brisk chatting amongst each other and the audience.
It was especially nice to see the age range that attended the gig; it wasn't just the young lovesick teenagers screaming Dougie Poynter's (bass) name, but mums, students - even children under 7! What's more, everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves - glowstick waving, toe tapping and dancing - not one person was sat on their seat looking glum. No excuse therefore for people saying they're too mature for McFly!
The performance came to a close withnumber 1 single 5 Colours in her Hair, which really marked how much the band have come on since that first ground breaking hit. This tour must have been a reflective tour for the boys of the past couple of years, from collaborating with Busted to building up their reputation to the superstardom they have today.
And by this faultless performance, this will hopefully be the first of many Greatest Hits tours.
