McFly – Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax
By Kirsty Masterman, June 2026
With the Piece Hall 2026 season of live events kicking off just a matter of weeks ago, the venue has already seen the likes of Shed Seven, Madness, Embrace, Paul Weller and Skunk Anansie grace its stage.
Tonight, it’s the turn of BRIT Award winners Danny Jones, Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter, and Harry Judd, aka McFly, who, after making their debut appearance at the historic venue back in 2024, have returned for another two-night stint.
As fans, young and old(er) gather in the courtyard on a rather hot and sweaty summer evening, many with a glass of something in hand, spirits are high. You can tell it is going to be a good one.
“A real crowd-pleaser”
Kicking off the evening’s musical extravaganza are Eurovision and TikTok stars Remember Monday, who burst onto the stage at 6.45pm. Dressed in brightly coloured outfits, they play their way through a fun set, which includes the memorable ‘What the Hell Just Happened?’ A real crowd-pleaser judging from the level of audience participation.
With the mood high, Scottish alt-rock band Twin Atlantic are next to take to the stage, telling us that they have been ‘sent out here by McFly to warm us up’ and that is what they ‘intend to do’. Playing a set that includes ‘Hold On’, ‘Heart and Soul’ and new single ‘In Your Eyes’, it’s safe to say they do just that.
By the time they leave the stage, I am struggling to imagine how Danny, Tom, Dougie and Harry are going to keep this level of energy going.
“Whipping up the crowd”
I needn’t have worried though, as they burst onto the stage at 9.00pm with ‘Where Did All the Guitars Go’, things quickly step up a notch.
Twenty-three years into their career, these guys are seasoned pros. Whipping up the crowd with a confidence only veterans of this industry can achieve, they belt out their hit-laden back catalogue. I’ve never seen McFly live and didn’t realise quite how guitar-heavy their music was. Within this space, their precise musicianship sounds fantastic!
‘Land of the Bees’, ‘One for the Radio’ and ‘Corrupted’ lead us into a 90 minute set that encompasses pop nostalgia alongside a rockstar energy. This is one group that certainly know how to entertain a crowd.
Moving about the stage with an energy that can only be described as impressive, especially in tonight’s heat, they show off their guitar stunts, relentlessly interacting with the crowd. At one point, Danny tells us that ‘when you buy a ticket to see McFly you enter into a contract, and that contract is you agreeing to become the fifth member’, and they definitely make you feel like that.
“Chaotic yet somehow synchronised”
Frontman Danny Jones certainly has us in the palm of his hands as he bounces about the stage demanding we clap, point, jump and wave our arms in the air to the likes of ‘I’ll Be Ok’, ‘Star Girl’ and ‘Obviously’. So, by the time ‘Red’ comes around and he commands us to ‘drop to the floor and jump back up’, we willingly obey, resulting in chaotic yet somehow synchronised bounces. An amazing sight as I look around at my fellow revellers.
This band certainly know how to entertain a crowd.
For me, the evening truly gets going halfway through the set list, when, fully immersed in the world of McFly, we commence our ‘audition’ through a medley of songs including the likes of ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’, ‘Pink Pony Club’, ‘Three Lions’, ‘What Makes You Beautiful’, ‘Radio Ga Ga’ and ‘Twist and Shout’.
I certainly wasn’t expecting this, but it goes down well with the crowd.
Remember Monday return to the stage to join the band for what I think is a stunning rendition of ‘Happiness’, before ‘All About You’, ‘Shine a Light’ and ‘Red’.
“The time of their life”
The show ends with a two-song encore of fan favourites ‘Forever’s Not Enough’ and the ultimate banger, ‘5 Colours in Her Hair’. The band even stay on stage long after the last notes have been sung and the last note strummed to see us off.
What stood out for me tonight, is the friendship between these guys. Having been together for 23 years they are clearly still enjoying themselves and their connection is as strong as ever. Nothing is forced. Just four guys having the time of their life doing what they love best.
Tonight was a night about music, fun and friendship, so when Danny shouts ‘See ya tomorrow’ as we make our way out, I can’t help but wish I was.
Images: Cuffe & Taylor
After studying English and Creative Writing at university, Kirsty started working as an editor for PA Media way back in 2003, joining On Yorkshire in 2023. With a passion for travel and writing, the chance to combine the two became a reality for her in 2010 when she was offered the chance to visit Portugal to review a new resort. Since then, she has never looked back. Live music, theatre and restaurant reviews followed enabling her to combine all her interests. Kirsty now travels the world, reviewing some of the best hotels, restaurants and travel destinations. She particularly enjoys seeking out child-friendly places so that she can showcase destinations and experiences that can be enjoyed by parents alongside their children.
