Britain’s Talent On Show As Becky Hill Proves She Is A Number 1 Artist

★★★★★ (5/5)

BECKY HILL PERFORMING AT TK. MAXX PRESENTS… SCARBOROUGH’S OPEN AIR THEATRE
PHOTOCREDIT: JOHN HAYHURST

I was full of anticipation for tonight's show as streams of people were making their way into the fabulous Scarborough Open Air Theatre, the weather was perfect, nice sunset and no rain for a change.

Groups of girls and Mums with daughters mainly, but all sparkled up and many wearing some unofficial T-shirts and sunglasses that they had picked up in the queue.

The fact that it was sold out is testament to Becky Hill’s hard working ethos and now that she can say she is a number 1 artist and Brit Award winner.

It has taken her a few years though, and she is the master of the collab track, even now her latest single ‘Indestructible’ is a collaboration with Andy C which will prominently feature in tonight’s 90 minute set of a mammoth 21 songs.

Support tonight comes from Issey Cross and we get some serious Drum and Bass sounds from her along with her DJ and support rapper. At first glance I thought it was Anne Marie, as Cross does share a similar look, but this was an inspired short set culminating with her ‘Bittersweet Goodbye’ single.

Becky Hill’s stage set up is on two levels, one very high, and she has some orchestral players on violins and cello up there, along with a band. Several backing singers are on the lower stage level which is where she will mainly sing and dance.

Hill appears at the top during the intro wearing a striking combo of shoulder-less high side split red dress, short maroon leather mini and black thigh length boots. She takes a moment to take in the glorious view of 8000 people screaming her name, but can’t hide the smiles.

She starts with ‘True Colours’ from her most recent album ‘Believe Me Now’ and then moves to the lower part of the stage for her number 1 single ‘Geko’ mash up with ‘Gotta Get Through This’.

Quick to acknowledge that as the cost of living crisis continues it is really humbling to see a sold out crowd of 8,000 people who have paid to watch her. The last time she was in Scarborough was part of Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics tour and some of the orchestra with her tonight were there too.

What followed was a non stop danceathon through some of the best Dance and D&B anthems from her whole career. Her flawless vocals shone throughout the set, having only seen her at festivals it was great to watch her interact with her proper fans.

During ‘Indestructible’ Hill jumps into the crowd only returning to the stage with guest singer Rileasa for ‘One Track Mind’.

Hill plays fan favourite ‘My Heart Goes’ and the whole place sings the “La di da, da di da” bit in unison, following that with ‘Wish You Well’ and ‘Remember’ at the end.

Becky Hill plays her first solo Arena tour in October this year and will play Leeds Arena on the 16th, this is effectively a warm up gig for that tour.

I think it’s about time Becky Hill was recognised in the industry as one of our premium talents, she could easily headline some of the small to mid festivals now, and should be rewarded for years of sheer graft after her ‘The Voice UK’ appearance in 2012. So much more than a TV singing show contestant, in my view she towers over Jess Glynne now, having seen both of them at the same venue this year it was chalk and cheese.

The penultimate show for ‘TK Maxx presents’ at Scarborough Open Air Theatre, and what a show it was. The final one is Busted on Saturday night, but this has been another fantastic season for this much loved venue on the Yorkshire East Coast.