Marti Pellow – Castle Park, Colchester – 20 August 2026

Review by Robert Corich

Marti Pellow opening for Billy Ocean? Not exactly the pairing that had me rushing to the diary, and I’ll admit I’ve never been the biggest fan. But live music can surprise you — and this certainly did.

Castle Park is a lovely venue, with friendly, helpful staff and an excellent sound system. Pellow took full advantage, delivering a polished, upbeat set that had the locals thoroughly on board.

Opening with Bob Marley’s Jamming, he quickly moved through a string of Wet Wet Wet favourites including Wishing I Was Lucky, Sweet Little Mystery, Sweet Surrender, Angel Eyes, Goodnight Girl and Temptation, with Bowie’s Let’s Dance adding a welcome change of direction.

A particularly nice moment came during Ain’t No Stopping Us Now / Le Freak when a rainbow appeared behind the crowd. Marti spotted it and pointed it out, adding one of those spontaneous touches that makes a live show memorable.

The set closed with I Can Give You Everything, With a Little Help From My Friends, a birthday dedication to Tasha and, inevitably, Love Is All Around.

So, despite my reservations, this was surprisingly good. Pellow knows how to work a crowd, the band were tight and the whole thing had a warm, feel-good quality. The locals clearly loved it — and, much to my surprise, so did I.

Phototherapy courtesy @_visualsbymax