Cardiff Castle has hosted its share of big nights, but few have felt as unlikely and as joyful as Sunday’s finale to the TK Maxx Presents Depot Live summer series. The historic courtyard was packed to capacity for WILL SMITH playing his first ever live show in the Welsh capital, with NILE RODGERS AND CHIC providing a support slot so good it almost stole the whole evening. By the time the fireworks cracked open the night sky above the Castle walls, Cardiff had been given a gig that will be talked about for years.
Nile Rodgers has been in the business long enough to know exactly how to work a crowd, and from the moment he strode on stage with Chic, the place was his. That guitar tone, bright, sharp, instantly recognisable, cut through the summer air as the band launched into “Le Freak,” and within seconds the audience was clapping, singing, and moving like they’d been waiting all season for this.
For an hour and a half, Rodgers served up a reminder that his fingerprints are all over pop history. Chic’s own hits were there in full force, “Everybody Dance,” “I Want Your Love,” “Good Times”, but the set also dipped into the wider Rodgers songbook. Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, Madonna, David Bowie, Daft Punk, the sheer breadth of songs he’s written or produced meant the show often felt like flicking through a jukebox of the last five decades. “I’m Coming Out” drew huge cheers, while “Let’s Dance” turned the Castle grounds into an open-air disco.
It wasn’t just the songs, though; it was the spirit. Nile smiled his way through the set, introducing each track with anecdotes, coaxing singalongs, and waving to fans who shouted his name. The crowd didn’t just listen; they moved as one, hands in the air against the backdrop of the Castle walls. By the end of their 90 minutes, it was clear: Nile Rodgers and Chic weren’t just a warm-up act. They were one of the best moments Cardiff Castle has seen all summer.
Then came the headliner. As the lights dimmed and the band struck up the unmistakable opening bars of “Gettin’ Jiggy With It,” Will Smith burst onto the stage, grinning as if he could hardly believe the reception. The roar that met him was deafening, the kind of welcome usually reserved for returning hometown heroes rather than first-time visitors. He lapped it up, striding from one side of the stage to the other, high-fiving fans in the front rows.
What followed was a greatest-hits sprint through his back catalogue. “Miami,” “Summertime,” and “Just the Two of Us” all made appearances, each met with cheers of recognition. The highlight, at least in terms of nostalgia, was the long-awaited “Men in Black,” complete with the crowd rapping along to every word. For someone who has spent most of the last two decades defined by his acting career, Will’s return to music felt surprisingly natural. He commanded the stage with ease, cracking jokes, dancing with his band, and pausing often to speak directly to the audience.
He was clearly moved by the warmth of the Cardiff crowd. At one point he spoke about how honoured he was to finally perform in the capital, thanking everyone for being so welcoming. The most heart-melting moment came when he invited 11-year-old Carson up from the audience. The boy joined him centre stage for a selfie, and the Castle erupted with cheers. It was a small gesture, but it captured the spirit of the night: big star, big crowd, genuine connection.
Will also chose to face down the subject many assumed he’d avoid. Towards the end of the set, he addressed the infamous Oscars moment. He talked about how none of us are just one thing, how we all contain contradictions, and how life is a work in progress. Then, in a theatrical flourish, he pulled an Oscar statuette from a black bag and held it aloft. The crowd gasped, then cheered. It was part confession, part performance art, but it worked. Will didn’t dodge his past; he folded it into the show.
As the evening drew to a close, the energy never dipped. Will bounded across the stage as if fuelled by the crowd’s enthusiasm, finishing on a high before stepping back to let the finale unfold. And what a finale it was. The Cardiff skies exploded in colour as fireworks shot above the Castle towers, a perfect bookend to the summer-long run of gigs.
Looking back, the night was more than just a star turn from a Hollywood name. It was the combination of Nile Rodgers’ groove-soaked history lesson and Will Smith’s playful, heartfelt debut that made it special. Nile reminded us of the songs that shaped our lives, while Will reminded us that he was always more than just the Fresh Prince or a blockbuster lead. Together, they turned Cardiff Castle into a place of pure celebration.
It ended the summer on a note of joy, nostalgia and spectacle, a night when the past and present met under the Welsh sky, and thousands of voices joined in as one.
We cannot wait to see what 2026 brings.
