Chipping Sodbury’s Good Times Festival has truly lived up to its name, establishing itself as one of the most chilled, accessible, and family-friendly festivals around—a guaranteed good time, just as the name promises.
The highlight of Saturday night, following an epic afternoon in the company of Gabrielle and Scouting for Girls, was none other than UK garage legend Craig David, who brought his mammoth TS5 extravaganza to the Chipping Sodbury stage.
TS5 began as the most exclusive pre-party, hosted by Craig at his penthouse home in Miami. His set seamlessly blends massive old-skool anthems—from R&B and swing beat to garage and bashment—while incorporating current chart-topping house hits. With Craig’s incredible ability to sing, MC, and work the crowd while DJing simultaneously, it’s easy to see how TS5 has grown into such a phenomenon.
Craig David burst onto the stage to rapturous applause. Dressed in casual-cool fashion and exuding his trademark confidence, he kicked things off with early 2000s classics like “Fill Me In” and “Rewind”, instantly reminding us why his smooth vocals and genre-blending style made him a household name.
Despite slightly overcast weather, the atmosphere was electric. The warmth in the air, combined with a buzzing crowd, made for an unforgettable set. From children on shoulders to young couples, groups of teenagers, and parents dancing with a cider in hand or relaxing in their camping chairs—everyone embodied the laid-back charm that Good Times has become known for. The festival’s open spaces, eclectic street food vans, and well-stocked drink stalls only added to the vibe.
Craig’s performance was more than just a set—it was a shared experience. Every lyric was echoed by the crowd, and he effortlessly bridged generations in the audience. Transitioning from his R&B roots to slick garage beats and even throwing in a few modern remixes, he kept the energy sky-high throughout.
The sound system held up impressively—bassy enough to feel in your chest, yet crisp enough to savour every note. Craig David was, without question, the soul of the festival’s Saturday night.
Craig David at Good Times Festival was a seamless blend of throwback nostalgia and feel-good energy, delivered in a setting where families, friends, and fans could all celebrate the joy of live music together. Overcast skies or not—the vibes were most definitely vibing.
Role: I’m a professional photographer and I love using both digital and film formats.
Qualification: I have two university degrees in photography from UWE in Bristol, BA (hons) and a Master’s.
Available for: Gig shoots, festival shoots, portrait photoshoots, album and single cover shoots and behind the scenes photography.
First attended gig: When I was at school, we had an evening called “Bands Night”. At the ages of 14/15, quite a few of my friends were in a band, playing the drums, guitar and vocals. I would always go and support these nights as I was their biggest fan, but also because staying out until 9:30pm on a school night was wild. These are the earliest gigs I can remember and I remember them so fondly.
First gig shot: BAD SOUNDS! What an impressive show it was.
Dream gig: Heavy question. There are so many and I feel very lucky to have already photographed the likes of Self-Esteem and Arlo Parks. Photographing a Prince concert would have been magic. Right now, I’ll say that photographing U2, during an intimate performance somewhere in Ireland would be more than a dream come true.”
