After a hiatus from the music scene Callum Burrows aka Saint Raymond’s much anticipated return to the stage in-front of a hometown crowd was certainly a night to remember.

He’s not done a gig in a few years and so this hometown crowd certainly had something to prove. Taking to the stage Callum admitted it’s the most nervous he’s ever been for a gig and it showed in the first track We Are Fire.

But he soon got over the nerves of not only playing for a hometown show but playing both his new stuff and some old gems. Everything She Wants followed and it was obvious from the crowd how much they had missed him as they sung along with every word at the top of their lungs.

I Want You and title track to his debut album Young Blood followed next, not only were Callum’s vocals on point but you could tell from the constant smile on his face how much he loved being back on stage (and in Nottingham).

While he enjoys writing new music and currently there’s no plans (this year anyway) for an album (I did a short interview after his set featured below) he’s released three singles already this year. Callum performed his latest Carried Away followed by Nightcrawling, both with that distinct SR sound. Even though his older stuff got the biggest reactions from the audience (as you would expect), everyone was thoroughly enjoying the cutting-edge lyrics and toe-tapping beats from his newest releases.

He paused to take everyone back and perform Wild Heart before his favourite new track Dancing gave the crowd the opportunity to have a little boogey themselves.

Fall At Your Feet was followed by Ghosts, the title track to his 2014 EP. The audience really got into this song and almost seemed louder than Callum at some points, another moment where he clearly couldn’t keep the smile off his face. After he left the stage the crowd were still singing along as loud as ever and it was a real goosebumps moment.

To start his encore and after the many chants from the crowd he came back on just with his guitar to wow everyone with acoustic performances of Movie On My Mind and As We Are Now, the latter of which he confessed to being his favourite moment of the gig. While it’s one of his slower songs it seemed to get the most love, maybe because the lyrics are so relatable.

With the band back on stage he performed his last two tracks, Mojito Sundays and Bonfires. Mojito Sunday’s was quite repetitive but the guitar instrumentals were certainly something to raise your eyebrows at as they were pretty impressive. Bonfires was the last excuse for everyone to sing along and to get sweaty dancing along to one of his biggest hits.

It was an impressive gig from start to finish, not only did support act Sonny treat everyone to some spectacular vocals, but Saint Raymond himself put on one of his best shows yet. He’s headlined Rock City and toured with Ed Sheeran but he really came alive not only in a smaller venue (which he sold out in 20 minutes) but in a city which obviously means a lot to him. He’s back, and from everything he showed throughout his hour and a half set, we’ve got plenty more to look forward to.

I caught up with him after his set and did a quick cheeky interview, below.

How was the show?

Amazing. Amazing, so good to be back home. It was really… I was so lost for words.

What was your favourite bit of the gig?

I think when I came back out (for the encore)  and I was trying to do the songs by myself and everyone was singing along. I was like I can’t even get the words out, so it was amazing.

What’s your favourite new release?

Dancing, I think it’s my favourite one. But I enjoy them all for different reasons, but it’s just so nice to have music back out.

You did a lot of your older songs, which one brings back the most memories/was your favourite to perform?

Quite a lot, well most of them to be fair. But I’d probably say As We Are Now has got a lot of good memories so probably that one’s my favourite.

You’ve released a few tracks already this year, any plans for an album too?

I don’t know at the minute. I’m just trying to do a few songs at a time. I think there’s no pressure to do an album so I’m just trying to enjoy doing a few tracks and gigs and see what happens.

Are there going to be any more tour dates?

Hopefully. I’m just trying to sort some out, I need to get back doing that because I love it.

What’s your favourite part of the whole process of making songs?

I love from the very beginning, the initial moment you first get the idea for that song and at the end you see what it became and I love that. Just the whole process for me is special, but I love just being there from the start and enjoying it.