What Made the Craig David TS5 Show At Scarborough Open Air Theatre So Epic?

Right, let's talk about it. You’ve probably seen the posts all over your feed – everyone buzzing about the Craig David show on the Yorkshire Coast. Maybe you were there, soaked to the bone but having the time of your life. Or maybe you had a major case of FOMO, scrolling through your phone and wishing you’d grabbed tickets.

Either way, you’re wondering if it lived up to the hype. Well, grab a cuppa and let me tell you, it was more than just a bit of rain and some tunes. It was a proper masterclass in how to throw a party, even when the weather isn't playing ball. The man himself brought his legendary TS5 show to the TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre, and honestly, it was something special.

What makes a ts5 show so special?

So, you might have seen ‘TS5’ dotted around and wondered, what’s that all about? It’s not just a fancy name for a tour. Think of it like this: imagine your mate has a penthouse flat in Miami (we can all dream, right?). And at that flat, he throws the best house parties you’ve ever been to. That’s literally how it started for Craig David. TS5 was the name of his place, and his pre-parties became so legendary that he took the whole concept on the road.

A TS5 show isn't your standard gig where a singer just stands there with a microphone. Oh no. Craig David is doing everything. He’s the DJ, seamlessly mixing tracks. He’s singing with those silky-smooth live vocals that made him famous. And he’s the hype man, MCing and getting the crowd going. It's a one-man whirlwind of talent. He’s basically blending a high-energy DJ set with a live R&B concert, creating a vibe that’s completely unique. It feels personal, energetic, and just ridiculously fun. This show was a perfect example of that TS5 magic in full force.

Rainy nights and r&b vibes on the Yorkshire coast

Let's be honest, the weather on the Yorkshire Coast can be a bit… unpredictable. And on this particular night, it was definitely what you’d call 'wet and wild'. But did it dampen anyone's spirits? Absolutely not. If anything, it just made the whole experience more memorable. When an entire crowd decides to just embrace the rain and dance anyway, you know the atmosphere is electric. The love for Craig David was palpable.

Craig himself knew what a big deal it was for everyone to be there. He took a moment during the show to connect with the crowd, and you could tell he genuinely meant it. He said:

“I’ve been looking forward to this show all year because I knew it was going to be a big one. Scarborough, you’re amazing – I love you. Thank you for embracing the weather to be here tonight.”

Hearing that from the man on stage? That’s the stuff that makes a great show an unforgettable one. It turns a massive open-air venue into something that feels really intimate. Big love all round.

A trip through 25 years of hits

For anyone who grew up listening to the radio in the early 2000s, this setlist was pure gold. Celebrating 25 years in the game, Craig David unleashed a 90-minute set absolutely packed with his biggest hits. These weren’t just songs; they were the soundtrack to a generation. The moment those opening bars of ‘7 Days’ dropped, the entire Scarborough Open Air Theatre was singing along. It was a massive, joyful karaoke session.

The set was a brilliant mix of his iconic R&B and garage classics. He made sure to include all the fan favourites:

• Fill Me In
• 7 Days
• What’s Your Flava?
• When The Bassline Drops

Each one of these classics had the crowd buzzing. It’s a real testament to his songwriting that these hits still sound so fresh and get such a huge reaction all these years later. What a show!

Dropping some unexpected covers

A key part of the TS5 experience is the way Craig David works as a DJ, mixing his own tunes with other massive tracks. He’s got an amazing knack for picking the perfect song to keep the energy sky-high. His set was sprinkled with some absolutely brilliant covers, getting the crowd hyped with songs they knew and loved.

It’s one thing to hear his classics, but it’s another to see him put his own spin on other artists' work. It felt like he was sharing his own party playlist with thousands of his mates. Here’s a little look at some of the covers he dropped into the mix:

Original Artist	Song Title
Neyo	Let Me Love You
TLC	No Scrubs
Justin Bieber	Love Yourself

Mixing these crowd-pleasing covers in with his own material is what makes his DJ sets so dynamic. You never quite know what’s coming next, which is all part of the fun.

An epic encore to end the show

Just when you thought the energy couldn't get any higher, it was time for the encore. A good encore leaves everyone on a massive high, and this was no exception. Craig David delivered a final blast of musical genius that sent everyone home buzzing. He masterfully blended the absolute house classic ‘Show Me Love’ by Robin S with his own comeback hit from 2016, ‘Nothing Like This’.

It was a genius move. You had the pure nostalgia and hands-in-the-air feeling of the Robin S track, a tune that has defined dancefloors for decades, mixed with the modern, emotional punch of his own song. It was the perfect ending to a show that celebrated both his history and his continued relevance in music today. What a finale!

The warm-up and the photos

You’ve got to give a nod to the opening act, too. The night was kicked off brilliantly by Patrick Nazemi, who is a resident DJ at the famous Ibiza Rocks. If you know anything about the party scene in Ibiza, you know that means he’s top-tier. He got the crowd warmed up perfectly for the main event.

And if you want to relive the night or just see what it looked like, there are some fantastic photos available. They’ve been provided by the organisers, Cuffe and Taylor, and are free for editorial use – just remember to give them a credit! For anyone wanting the best quality pictures, you can even find high-res versions online to download. It's great when they make it easy to share the memories.

Don't miss the next shows in the summer series

The good news is that the fun at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre isn’t over yet. The TK Maxx presents summer series is still in full swing, with more huge names on the way. It really shows the amazing variety of acts they bring to the Yorkshire Coast.

Coming up very soon, you’ve got two completely different but equally legendary acts. First up, on July 23, you have heavy metal gods Judas Priest ready to rock the place. Then, just a few days later on July 26, Scottish pop-rock heroes Texas will take to the stage. Whether you’re into screaming guitar solos or soulful pop anthems, there’s something for you. If you fancy getting in on the action, you can find all the details and grab tickets by visiting scarboroughopenairtheatre.com. Don’t miss out!