Live Review: Tom Grennan returns home for triumphant second Bedford Park headline show

The Bedford singer songwriter was back at the venue he previously headlined in 2022 as part of this year’s Summer Sessions series which had already seen headline sets by Deacon Blue and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell on previous nights.

Grennan, who released his latest album ‘Everywhere I Went, Led Me To Where I Didn’t Want To Be’ last year, treated fans to a setlist packed full of tracks from his latest record, some of his best-known collaborations and a chunk of material from his back catalogue.

The hometown show was one of a host of outdoor gigs the musician is playing this summer and follows a sold-out tour of the UK’s arenas last year.

Joining Grennan was Brooke Combe, The Wholls and Fiona-Lee – the latter who kicked off proceedings.

There was obviously never any doubt who Saturday night’s headliner was – but that didn’t stop the Bedford native walking out on stage in front of his surname spelled out in giant white letters which dominated the stage.

Flanked by his six-strong backing band, Grennan arrived out to cheers and screams from those inside Bedford Park and kicked off straight into Full Attention – the opening track from his latest album.

His black leather trousers and black t-shirt may have been a little less extravagant than his 2022 all red attire – but if Grennan has toned down this visual aesthetic – his singing and live show is better than it’s ever been.

Musically, Grennan has continued a somewhat shift towards pop which is in full force throughout his set.

While the likes of ‘Found What I’ve been Looking For’ and ‘Something In The Water’ give fans a reminder of his more ‘alternative’ roots, the likes of ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ and ‘Cool With That’ are the upbeat pop bangers you need to sell out arenas - and fill parks.

Throughout his 21-song set (22 if you include a brief rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Happy Birthday’ for a fan called Sonny), Grennan’s band mates remained static, illuminated mainly by the glow from the letters behind them.

In contrast the frontman barely stood still – parading back and forth across the length of the stage, occasionally dodging strategic bursts of CO2 and flames.

Between songs, Grennan was on chatty form all night. Pausing to speak to fans – explaining how Bedford shaped him into the person he is today and telling them he was having the best time of his life.

Grennan recalled stories of playing at Esquires, in The Bear pub and busking on the streets as well as playing football and having his first kiss in the Bedford Park.

Other highlights of the set were Lionheart (Fearless) – his 2022 single with DJ Joel Corry and a cover of The Beatles’ ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’.

After a brief pause towards the set’s finale for security to assist a fan, Grennan bought his set to a close with ‘A Little Bit Of Love’ – with tickertape exploding into the night sky for its finale.

As fans left the park, a demo of new track ‘North Side Of The River’ rang out over the PA’s speakers.

It’d have been a safe bet four years ago that Tom Grennan would return to headline Bedford Park for a second time.

Given his trajectory and continuing ability to sell out arenas and pack out parks – it’s safe to assume come 2030 in four years time he’ll be back to do it again for a third time!

Tom Grennan played:

Full Attention

Higher

All These Nights

Cool With That

Found What I've Been Looking For

Don't Break the Heart

Crown Your Love

Boys Don't Cry

Royal Highness

Somewhere Only We Go

Let's Go Home Together

Diamond

Head Up

How Does It Feel

All Goes Wrong

Lionheart (Fearless)

By Your Side

With a Little Help from My Friends

Remind Me

Something in the Water

Little Bit of Love