A four-act billing headlined by James Arthur meant a packed evening for music lovers at Scarborough’s Open Air Theatre on 3rd July.
Opening the evening, Ruby Poole impressed with a heartfelt set built around relatable, emotionally honest songwriting. Tracks like 3 Month Mark and Miss Being Missed explored the complexities of modern relationships, while Solo Is Good for Me highlighted her growing confidence and self-assuredness. With strong vocals reminiscent of Mimi Webb and a warm, engaging rapport with the crowd, Poole made an immediate impression. Admitting to being a huge James Arthur fan, and to feeling slightly nervous, nonetheless she performed with confidence throughout.
Ben Ellis brought a vibrant energy to the stage, pairing memorable melodies with sharp, thoughtful songwriting. Lyrics such as “been drinking dreams as if it’s whiskey” showcased his strength as a lyricist, whilst his pride in his Welsh heritage was clear, with the red dragon flag displayed proudly on stage. Songs like move, honey had an infectious quality that made them easy to move along to, while one track’s guitar melodies carried a nostalgic hint of the Jonas Brothers. Backed by a great band and an enthusiastic group of fans in the crowd, Ellis delivered a set full of charisma and conviction.
Jerub proved that sometimes less is more, delivering a stripped-back set that allowed his vocals and songwriting to take centre stage. Lyrics such as “If I’m never hurt, I’ll never learn” highlighted his reflective approach to writing, whilst his effortless high notes added another layer to his performance. Finding My Feet stood out as an instantly memorable anthem, with Jerub teaching the crowd the chorus before encouraging a mass singalong. Carrying a similar uplifting, feel-good energy to Myles Smith, his songs felt tailor-made for summer road trips, and the audience embraced every moment.
From the moment James Arthur took to the stage with the atmospheric opener Water, the venue was in the palm of his hand. Fan favourite Impossible quickly followed, with thousands of voices taking over as the crowd sang every word back to him. Throughout the night, Arthur’s trademark raw, powerhouse vocals shone, particularly during the live debut of his upcoming single Waste My Tears, a gospel-infused anthem bursting with energy, emotion and uplifting messaging.
Keeping the audience engaged from start to finish, encouraging mass singalongs and getting Scarborough on its feet, James Arthur created an electric atmosphere that never let up. One of the evening’s most poignant moments came during Cars Outside, which Arthur dedicated to the late Wayne Calverly, the driver who inspired the song and sadly lost his life to cancer, adding an extra layer of emotion to an already heartfelt performance.
Before performing Train Wreck, Arthur delivered a sincere speech about the importance of speaking openly about mental health, a message that resonated deeply with all attending. Knowing he had been advised by doctors not to perform due to problems with his vocal cords made the night’s performance feel even more remarkable, highlighting his commitment to his fans and his determination not to disappoint them. Closing the evening with Say You Won’t Let Go, Arthur left the audience on a high, capping off a night defined by powerful vocals, genuine connection and an overwhelming sense of togetherness.
Check out the rest ofthe season at TK Maxx Presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre.
