Next door to Shepherd's Bush Empire is an Australian themed pub called Walkabout. Probably the biggest one too. The last time I was in this particular drinking establishment a deranged Kiwi builder threatened to beat me up because the friend I was with at the time refused his advances. I swore never to return so why did I find myself sitting in a corner of that same scummy pub, nursing a Bacardi Breezer while trying not to touch the sticky table or breathe in the stench of stale beer and piss on this night? Craig Ashley David, that’s why.

A full hour after the doors to the venue had opened two lengthy queues suddenly formed, snaking around corners and alley ways. One look at the horrific sight of skinny jeans-muffin tops in stiletto heels which largely form the Craig David fan base and I thought it would be wiser to sit in the hell hole for a further 45 minutes.

When the queue had shrunk to a length of my liking and I had negotiated the customary bag search to get inside I find a packed venue and absolutely no chance to get to reasonable spot for some decent pictures. 

Twenty minutes late a beefed up Craig bounces onto the stage in sunglasses and a blinding white blazer. He launches into his most recent and memorable new hit ‘Hot Stuff (Let’s Dance)’ followed by the crowd pleasing ‘What’s Ya Flava?’. (Crikey! I forgot about that one! – Ed)

The switch from old songs to new keeps going with  the crowd going bonkers for ‘Seven Days’ although the latest tracks fail to generate as much enthusiasm from the crowd. The problem seems to be Craig’s insistence on trying to regain credibility with the urban fraternity. Perhaps his need for acceptance has something to do with him being bullied at school but if he wants to hit the peak again the whole grime/hip hop/R & B/Soul thing has to be ditched and he should go back to what he does best – writing pop songs. 

(3/5)