Anastacia – Live Review – Scarborough Open Air Theatre
By Brad Jones, June 2026
“Anastacia’s playing in Scarborough, class! I’ve never seen her before,” was the first thing I remember hearing from my mum about this gig. It was the first time I had heard that name since primary school. Back then, she first introduced me to some of the bigger hits from debut album Not That Kind. It was said with such reverent excitement that I knew we had to go along.
So, when we replayed that same CD in the car heading down to Scarborough, it brought back early memories. It reminded me of sitting near the hi-fi system in the living room. It was all about discovering all kinds of music for the first time.
I had intentionally listened to as little of Anastacia’s back catalogue going into this as I could. I wanted to try to experience that same feeling of surprise and discovery I had all those years ago in the flesh. In that regard, my expectations were exceeded by far from the off.
“Pop star swagger”
Along with so many around me who instantly got up from their seats to dance as the intro played, I was instantly transported back by ‘One Day In Your Life’. That same soulful energy continued into 2023 single ’Now or Never’ from Anastacia’s eighth studio album, the German-inspired Our Songs.
On her first visit to Scarborough, the Chicagoan declared: “I’ve entered the belly of the beast”. It was somewhere she had quickly made herself at home. She did it with a combination of pop star swagger and self-deprecating humour.
The ensuing flurry of songs went by in a flash. They were a spectacular showcase of a 25-year career that had been built on a fearless attitude. This was displayed through exceptional vocals capable of gliding through numerous genres with ease.
A feeling of empowerment was palpable as the crowd belted the more well-known ‘Paid My Dues’ and ‘Sick and Tired’ back to her. This happened either side of ‘Nobody Loves Me Better’ and ‘Don’tcha Wanna’, lesser-known tracks that allowed Anastacia and her band to own that feeling as we all watched on in awe.
By now the generation-spanning audience, ourselves included, were captivated. So much so that when the question “who has never seen me sing live?” was met with the vast majority of raised hands, I was pleasantly surprised. Her response of “you may want Metallica, I get it. But you got Fetallica,” before sarcastically remarking: “I am here to show you that other music is possible,” suggested that new crowds weren’t uncommon. Such is the timelessness of her music.
“Vulnerability and versatility”
Despite the obvious tongue-in-cheek nature of this comment, the songs that followed proved just how capable she was of doing exactly that.
After a quick outfit change which saw the seven band members accompanying her take centre stage with a medley of floor-fillers from Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ to Blackstreet’s ‘No Diggity’ which had the standing area bouncing, Anastacia re-entered the stage having “slipped into something more comfortable.” A kimono set the tone for quite a sizeable but logical gear change.
The singer took us on a journey from ‘Heavy on My Heart’ – which is influenced by her struggles with breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2003 – into the emotionally resilient ballad ‘You’ll Never Be Alone’ and from there to the hopeful, uplifting ‘Best Days’, which was released three years ago. From the rip-roaring, stage-conquering first section, this was a well-positioned reminder both of the vulnerability and versatility that has defined her life and career.
“Up dancing”
Another outfit change reignited the Scarborough night just as the sun went down. The band’s performance of Free’s ‘All Right Now’ took us up a notch into an immaculate cover of ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’. This saw Anastacia re-emerge in a sequin-covered jacket, ready to roll into her rock phase.
The guitar-driven ‘Boxer’ and ’Stupid Little Things’ provided the perfect bedrock for ‘Left Outside Alone’. By which point we had moved down to the floor level. We could feel the energy emanating from the standing area.
This only increased as the encore began with ‘Not That Kind’ – the name of this tour – and into the unforgettable ‘I’m Outta Love’. Everyone was up dancing, singing and savouring the last song of a set that pivoted genres seamlessly. It was paced so well that it felt as if it had passed by too quickly despite being over 90 minutes in total.
As someone who kept their expectations at a minimum going into the night, this was as good an advert as any to go out and enjoy live music outside of my comfort zone as much as possible.
From heartfelt ballads to headstrong sing-alongs and rock anthems to raspy, powerful vocals that still sound as good as ever 25 years later. There really was something for everyone.
Images: Cuffe & Taylor
Having spent most of the seven years since studying Sports Journalism at university producing TV guide magazines at the Press Association, as well as creating programme content for Hull City and venturing into music reviews, Brad quickly learnt the joy that comes with the variety of a career in journalism. Getting a story published in Karan Tejwani’s Iberia Chronicles book in 2020 gave him the bug for bringing stories to life on anything he’s passionate about ever since, which ranges from food to football and stand-up comedy to solo holidays.
