When Dreamland announced the line-up for its 2024 Summer Series, I asked my wife if any of the acts caught her eye.

Quite partial to a touch of ska when the sun is shining, I hoped she’d fancy the short train ride to Margate to see Madness take the stage.

But instead she plumped for James Arthur - the salt-of-the-earth singer-songwriter who made his name by winning X Factor in 2012.

Unlike many others to have enjoyed success on the reality show, Arthur has proved his talent has legs, topping the charts with multiple singles and albums.

So luckily I knew a few of his songs ahead of what would be my first gig at the theme park since its rebirth as one of Kent’s biggest outdoor music venues.

I was also aware he had quite the talent for performing, but, admittedly, I could have been a tad more excited about what was in store.

However, as the large crowd started to bristle with anticipation, chanting Arthur’s name as he waited backstage, their enthusiasm started to rub off me.

Chief among those barely containing their excitement was a friendly family of James Arthur superfans from Sittingbourne we’d found ourselves standing next to.

Danielle Brett and daughters Lilly and Lola were a ball of contagious energy as the lights dropped and a rousing monologue from divisive psychologist Jordan Peterson set the scene for Arthur to emerge.

Her husband, Rob, watched on, pondering the small fortune he’d just spent on hoodies for his girls.

And then it began, with Arthur sending the crowd into raptures with his opening number, Bitter Sweet Love, before ramping them up further with his first hit single, Impossible.

And he kept them there for 90 minutes, working his way through a set that included a number of classics that have stood the test of time and tracks from his new chart-topping album.

I recognised the big ones - Naked, Falling Like the Stars, Trainwreck, Rewrite the Stars and a cover of Christina Perri’s catchy ballad A Thousand Years.

Danielle filled me in on the others, such as Comeback Kid, Sermon and New Generation, adding that I should definitely search out some of Arthur’s pre-X Factor material.

Song after song was sung back to him by the spirited crowd - perhaps the greatest sign of the success he’s had and the following he’s built.

And they were in full voice for his closing number, the number one hit Say You Won’t Let Go.

It brought to an end a consummate display of songwriting and showmanship, with smiles on faces all round as the venue emptied out.

Few were bigger than that on Rob’s, who’d watched his wife and daughters have the time of their lives. Money well spent, indeed.

We’d also enjoyed ourselves, soaking up the atmosphere at a venue quickly cementing its place on the UK tour scene.

We’ll definitely be planning a return visit - it’d be Madness not to.