Craig David Born to Make Music
Ivor Novello and Mobo award winner Craig David was the headline act on the floating stage on Thursday night at Henley Festival.
The garage and R ‘n’ B king kicked off his set with his most recent release My Heart’s Been Waiting for You, followed by the classic What’s Your Flava? and Ain’t Giving Up.
The audience were up on the their feet straight away singing and dancing which quickly went to a crescendo when Craig sang his first single from 2000, Fill Me In.
Afterwards Craig said, “I’ve been really looking forward to coming here. What a beautiful place under the sunset. I appreciate this moment especially after the last couple of years.”
The audience were a real mixture of generations enjoying the show. It’s no surprise that he has such wide appeal, as it is more than twenty years on from his first album, Born to do It and he’s still definitely got it. After singing G Love, Heartline and Warm it Up, Craig commented, “It’s been an incredible journey since 2000 and I get perform to beautiful crowds like this.”
The hits from Born to do It including Rendezvous and Walking Away followed. Craig said, “That album brings so many beautiful memories and I was only 17 when I wrote the song (Walking Away). I use this song to get through things in life.
Moving on to more recent hits, Craig sang the James Hype, No Drama which he was featured on with the crowd reacting with their hands in the air. Followed by Rise and Fall, Got it Good and I Feel it’s That Time.
Craig showed off his brilliant rap skills in the next medley of songs where he mixed his own When the Bass Line Drops with Justin Bieber’s classic Love Yourself which got the audience singing along to.
“Let’s make some memories tonight,” Craig said before singing the classics Show Me Love and Nothing Like This. Afterwards he added, “I appreciate how much love you have shown. It’s been an incredible difficult two years. The songs that I wrote a long time ago are poignant today.”
The last part of the set was I Know You and then another medley of Feel Me In and 16 with Where Are You Now? Justin Bieber’s song in the background.
Afterwards Craig said, “Just wanted to say a warm thank you to everyone who came out tonight. You’ve been a wonderful crowd with beautiful vibes.”
With the crowd still wanting more, Craig didn’t disappoint and came out to sing an encore of Rewind and the number one hit 7 Days.
Craig certainly was born to make music.
