A homecoming gig like no other, Craig David brought the energy and the love to Southampton last night.

Arguably the most gifted contemporary RnB singer in Britain, David’s talent has stood the test of time as his mellifluous and charming style continues to draw large crowds.

The 44-year-old has mastered the art of the one-man show as he not only sings but DJs, bobbing around the decks enthusiastically before returning to the front of the stage to serenade the crowd.

Following an energetic set from support act Partrick Nazemi (who is someone you definitely want to have a night out with) David burst onto the stage to rapturous applause.

He fronted both the singing and DJ aspects of the performance, which is no mean feat, and more often than not we were treated to the most impressive musical instrument in his repertoire: his voice.

(Image: Megan Parker Photography) Hearing David sing without any backing music is worth a night out in itself; he expertly grabs the crowd with his melodic voice, before quickly switching to a fast-paced rap.

It was an impressive reminder that David is not only a talented singer, but rapper, performer, and songwriter.

The veteran pop and RnB icon exuded musicality and matched the energy and passion he had when he started out on the music scene more than 25 years ago.

READ MORE: Craig David on 7 Days, selling mixtapes, and his love of performing in Southampton

Re-Rewind and Fill Me In kicked off the jam-packed performance which was frequently punctuated by a jamboree of sounds and remixes, created by David himself.

Perhaps what has stood him in good stead all these years is his gratitude – not only for his dedicated fans but those who have stood with him since he made mixtapes in his bedroom on the Holyrood Estate.

He brought DJ Flash onstage, a talented DJ who not only opened last night’s show, but helped open up David’s career all those years ago.

David gushed about the pair’s musical antics together before launching into a rendition of Rendezvous.

His skills as a performer are superbly honed and are quite unlike anything else we have in the UK right now.

What struck me most about his performance was how intimate it felt.

Thousands of people were packed into Guildhall Square to watch the Southampton native perform, but David conversed easily, smiled largely, and blended his own discography with 90s classics to create his own unique blend of performance.

He also made time to sing and rap his way through a thrilling mix of old and new pop and dance tracks, maintaining an impressive bounce and energy throughout.

As the show neared its end David did a shoutout to those he spent time with at the former Bellemoor School in Shirley, before launching into his stand-out hit I Know You featuring Bastille.

But what better way to end the show than with 7 Days, the song that shot him to meteoric fame and still brings joy to thousands?

It is safe to say David will always have a home in Southampton.