British R&B singer, songwriter, rapper, DJ and producer who rose to fame in 1999. As one of the UK’s most loved artists, Craig has remained at the helm of his own unique, authentically British sound. A sound that made waves across the globe, making him the voice of one of the most pivotal eras in UK music, and in turn, making him one of the most successful artists in UK chart history.

For over 30 years, Texas have proved themselves to be one of Scotland’s best ever bands and nothing short of a national treasure south of the border. Formed in 1986 by the undeniably brilliant Sharleen Spiteri and her partner in crime, Johnny McElhone, they have made consistently great music throughout their stellar career having sold over 40 million records, had 13 top ten UK singles, 3 #1 UK albums and 8 top ten UK albums.

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Craig David.

Presale from 10am on 14th November 2024 General sales from 10am on 15th November 2024 English rock band James are the latest announcement for the Colchester Castle Summer Series on Friday, 22 August 2025, Plus special guests Happy Mondays, Lightning Seeds, and The Waeve. After forming in Manchester in 1982, the band achieved popularity during the 1990s, with four top-10 hits on the UK Singles Chart and nine top-10 placings on the UK Albums Chart, including best-known singles "Come Home", "Sit Down", "She's a Star" and "Laid". Their latest album “Yummy” charted at number one earlier this year. With each show welcoming up to 10,000 attendees, the Colchester Castle Summer Series is set to be the largest music event the city has seen in years. This unique celebration of live music promises to deliver unforgettable performances in the heart of one of England’s most historic and scenic locations. The team behind the event, promoters Soundcrash and Supermodified, are well-known in the UK for hosting popular events like the Margate Summer Series, London’s South Facing Festival, Hitchin Priory Series, and Cardiff Bay Series. This event is suitable for ages 6+, under 18 must be accompanied by full paying adult aged 21 and over Everyone must have a valid ticket for entry.

Busted plus Special Guests.

Join us on the first Sunday of the month for a little calm at Colchester Castle. We aim to minimise sensory stimulation on the galleries by turning off audio and visuals, whilst providing a sensory space off the main gallery. Ear defenders, visual guides and twiddlemuffs are available from the Museum’s reception free of charge. You can find out more about our autism friendly resources by visiting our Access page. Entry admission to the Castle is required for this event.

The original line-up of UB40 with Ali, Astro and Mickey enjoyed huge success over a period of 30 years from 1979 until 2008, including number 1 album’s and multiple top 10 gold and platinum selling albums and Grammy nominations, 4 number ones worldwide. Total of 70 million plus sales. We would not want anyone to confuse Ali, Astro and Mickey’s band with the band that carried on using the name UB40 after 2008 made up of other founding members and new members they tried to replace us with in their attempt to trade off the reflected glory of the success of the original line-up. Ali Campbell, founding member of the original UB40, embarks on a UK tour.

The Smashing Pumpkins have created one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in musical history having sold more than 30 million albums, and won multiple Grammy Awards in the process. The pivotal group’s many hits defined the alternative music era and continue to resonate on modern rock radio, influencing a whole new generation. In June 2012, the band released the critically acclaimed album Oceaniavia Martha’s Music/EMI Label Services/Caroline Distribution. It entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart at #4; earned the #1 spot on the Independent Albums Chart; and Rolling Stone hailed it as one of the best albums of the year. Formed in Chicago in 1988, they released Gish, their influential and platinum debut in 1991, which was followed by albums including the nine-time platinum Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness and the four-time platinum Siamese Dream, as well as the platinum certified 1998 album Adore which saw a 107-track reissue in 2014. The band is releasing two albums within a year of each other starting with Monuments to an Elegy, in Dec 2014, to be followed by Day For Night in 2015 and will be playing some special shows with Mark Stoermer of The Killers and Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine joining The Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan and Jeff Schroeder. Monuments to an Elegy marks the band’s eighth studio album and is the follow-up to their 2012 critically acclaimed album Oceania. It entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart at #4; earned the #1 spot on the Independent Albums Chart; and Rolling Stone hailed it as one of the best albums of the year. A worldwide concert tour in 2012 and 2013 brought the band some of the strongest live reviews of their career and found them blazing new trails on the concert stage, using new technology in video-mapping to create something new and previously unseen. Monuments to an Elegy was recorded in Chicago with Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder, who’s been in the band since 2007.

Colchester Castle is offering monthly tours focusing on LGBTQ+ historical figures and themes, open to anyone with an interest in new historical perspectives. Each tour promises a unique exploration of LGBTQ+ history, and no two tours will be the same. These tours cover a wide range of fascinating topics, from Julius Caesar’s love for a Bithynian king to the stories of those imprisoned in Colchester Castle Gaol. Participants will gain an understanding of how the historical and cultural context of different eras has shaped LGBTQ+ history. Suitable for ages 16+. Please note the tour includes climbing uneven stairs and crouching to pass through low archways. For useful information, such as how to find us and what facilities Colchester Castle has, we recommend reading our Access information.

Nutty ska-revivalists and 80s pop titans led by the inimitable Suggs. Madness may have been at the forefront of the late ’70s ska revival, but the band quickly moved beyond the constraints of two-tone. By the time the ’80s were in full swing, their embrace of everything from Motown to pure pop had made them one of the biggest British bands of their time. Madness’s earliest days were as ska band The Invaders, formed in 1976 by Lee Thompson, Mike Barson and Chris Foreman. With the addition of Graham McPherson (aka Suggs), Mark Bedford, Dan Woodgate and Chas Smith, the band changed their name to Morris And The Minors before finally settling on Madness in 1978.

Standard Ticket - Please note that with this ticket type, camping chairs are not allowed into the venue.