Solent Music and Audio Addict kicked off their week with Craig David‘s press conference at Hilton at The Ageas Bowl. The local legend announced his biggest yet Southampton show at the same Rose Bowl arena seen from the conference windows. Craig David will perform at The Ageas Rose Bowl on Friday, 1 September 2017.
Home to Hampshire Cricket, and a vast array of events and showpiece occasions through-out the year, the Ageas Bowl, is set to be the biggest gig Craig has headlined in his hometown, performing to 15,000 fans in the iconic outdoor bowl.
Photos: Isha Shah
Craig, ‘It [Southampton] brings back so many memories. This is where everything started for me. I was a kid with hopes and dreams and now, sixteen years later, I’m playing here at The Ageas Bowl venue. I never take any of this granted and I feel like a kid again.’
‘I’ve got so many friends and family here and it’s an incredible journey. I’ve been wanting to play Southampton on this magnitude.’
Talking about his headline at Common People, Craig says, ‘It was a common I’d walk through so many times as a boy. Everything started in Southampton, my career, my DJ sets that I’ve now incorporated into my life shows [TS5].’ 
‘You’re catching me at a point in my life when I’m at my happiest.’
On his album going to number 1, ’The story of it going to number one was what made it incredible. It says that anything is possible to any inspiring songwriter. Coming from here and going to number ones and selling millions of copies.’
Is Southampton audience different? ‘100% different. The crowd accepts me as one of their own, it’s like coming home every time.’
‘Every decision I made that was from the heart, was right.’
Craig’s advice to young musicians, ‘When you’re on the verge of break it or make it, you actually find the right people and right circumstances. It all happens from diving into the unknown and being out of your comfort zone. If you want it enough, it will happen. Anything you stay focused on, will happen. If you give up, it kind of says you maybe didn’t want it enough.’
‘It all happens from diving into the unknown and being out of your comfort zone.’
‘You have no idea in your wildest dream what can happen. Follow your intuition. You may not know how to get from A to B, but follow your passion and the universe will lay everything out for you.’
Craig is running for Best Male Artist at BRIT Awards this weekend and his manager Colin Lester is nominated for Manager of the Year at 2017 Music Week Awards.
The Southampton concert follows a sold out 18-date arena tour in March and April and a record breaking ten week summer residency with his TS5 Pool Party at Ibiza Rocks Hotel.
Pre sale tickets for the Ageas Bowl date will be available on Wednesday with general sale starting 10am on Friday. See craigdavid.com, ageasbowl.com and ticket sites.