Chelmsford City Live – Day 1 Review

Photos and Review by Damien Harvey

Chelmsford City Live kicked off its inaugural weekend with a scorching start as thousands descended on Chelmsford City Racecourse for the first ever City Live Festival. With sunshine beaming down on a max-capacity crowd, the anticipation was palpable, and the energy never let up across an electric opening day headlined by none other than Justin Timberlake.

The honour of opening the festival went to CTRL, a modern-day boyband that channels peak 90s energy. With street dance flair, hip-hop attitude and tight choreography reminiscent of icons like Five, CTRL lit up the stage with infectious charisma. Their high-energy performance was enhanced by clever use of the extended stage walkway, letting the crowd get up close and personal. Vocally strong and with a real sense of fun, CTRL proved they’re more than a viral sensation — they’re made for the big stage.

Next up was Dagny, the Norwegian pop-disco queen whose set turned the hot afternoon into a glittering dance party. Her voice soared effortlessly across the racecourse, delivering dancefloor-ready anthems that had the crowd swaying and moving. With strong crowd interaction and a confident stage presence, Dagny impressed — enough to make you want to see her in her own headlining show soon.

Third on the bill was Jess Glynne, a performer who could easily have headlined herself. Known widely for her hits and, yes, that Jet2 advert, Glynne delivered a powerhouse one-hour set full of crowd favourites. Vocally excellent and emotionally connected, she kept the crowd energised and singing along throughout. She had a moment midway through the set where she teared up a bit, and explained to everyone that you need to cherish every moment with your loved ones.

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for, Justin Timberlake. The former NSYNC heartthrob and pop juggernaut took to the stage to deafening screams and applause. Opening with the sweeping ballad Mirrors, Timberlake made it clear from the first note that this was going to be a show to remember. Backed by his tight live band The Tennessee Kids, he launched into hit after hit, Cry Me A River, Sexy Ladies, Señorita, Can’t Stop the Feeling! and more, each delivered with charisma, showmanship, and razor-sharp production.

There was also genuine heart in the performance. Timberlake paused to speak with the crowd, highlighting a 9-year-old girl watching from the front who could barely see over the barrier. “You’re my favourite person here,” he said, melting the crowd’s collective heart. He also picked out a sign from a woman 8 months pregnant and expressed his surprise and admiration that she was there. These intimate touches, along with his boundless energy, only reinforced why Timberlake remains one of the top live performers in the world.

His 90-minute set, packed with pyro, choreography, and crowd interaction, was a masterclass in pop spectacle — the perfect headliner to open a brand new festival.

However, not everything went off without a hitch. After the music stopped, the logistics started to crack. Many festivalgoers reported waiting up to 2–3 hours just to get out of the car park, with major delays and gridlock that put a dampener on an otherwise flawless day. Hopefully, the organisers will take quick action to remedy this for the remaining days of the weekend.

Still, teething problems aside, the first day of Chelmsford City Live set a high bar. With unforgettable performances, big names, and blue skies, the festival is off to an exciting start — and with Timberlake setting the tone, the future of City Live looks very bright indeed.