Candi Staton — Milton Keynes National Bowl - August 8th 2026

Candi Staton — Milton Keynes National Bowl

August 8th 2026

Reviewed by Robert Corich

Following a rather lacklustre UB40 was never going to be difficult — but Candi Staton didn’t just follow them, she blew them away.

From the opening Hallelujah Anyway, the atmosphere changed completely. With a superb band behind her, Staton brought soul, warmth, personality and a spark that had been conspicuously absent earlier.

Nights on Broadway, I’m Just a Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin’), Stand by Your Man, In the Ghetto, Suspicious Minds and, inevitably, Young Hearts Run Free provided a wonderfully varied set, the latter turning the Bowl into one enormous dance floor. You Got the Love and Shine a Light completed a hugely entertaining performance.

She may be an older girl these days, but it’s clear she still has what it takes — and in spades. The voice, authority, character and sheer enjoyment of performing remain firmly intact.

There was inevitably a slightly American spin to proceedings, something that can occasionally turn a British audience off. But Staton’s personality and performance ensured that didn’t happen here. Quite the opposite: the complete Bowl was err… bowled over.

Really impressive.

Now that’s what you call a performance.