MUSIC is a massive part of many of our lives, and seeing artists play live gives us that serotonin not many other occasions can.

Colchester has had its fair share of big names and talented artists come to the city to perform to excited crowds.

We have dug through the archives to relive some of our favourite groups and solo performers to play live here over the last decade.

Beginning, in 2014, the Rocket Man himself came to the then Western Holmes Community Stadium.

Gazette: Rocket man - Elton John performing in Colchester (Picture: Steve Brading)Rocket man - Elton John performing in Colchester (Picture: Steve Brading) (Image: Steve Brading)

Sir Elton John delighted 16,000 fans and they rose as one as he opened the show and sang favourites including Candle in the Wind and I'm Still Standing.

Gazette: Starry-eyed - Two members of the crowd getting ready for Elton JohnStarry-eyed - Two members of the crowd getting ready for Elton John (Image: Steve Brading)

Just two years later, fans were dancing all night long as Lionel Richie wowed fans at his gig in 2016.

As part of his All The Hits Tour, Richie performed for two fun-filled hours.

Gazette: All night long - Lionel Richie came to Colchester in 2016All night long - Lionel Richie came to Colchester in 2016 (Image: Newsquest)

Opening with ‘Running with the Night’, the American superstar made fans wait for the favourites, ending the show with ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’, ‘Hello’, ‘We are the World’ and ‘All Night Long’.

Gazette: Loving Lionel - A fan pictured before the Lionel Richie concertLoving Lionel - A fan pictured before the Lionel Richie concert (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Super fan - A Lionel lover at his gig in ColchesterSuper fan - A Lionel lover at his gig in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

In 2018, two pop groups took fans back in time when Blue and Steps performed to 5,000 strong at Colchester Castle Park in 2018.

Blue performed an hour-long set, followed by their fellow pop band Steps, who headlined with 90 minutes.

Gazette: Performing - Blue's Duncan James on stage in the Castle ParkPerforming - Blue's Duncan James on stage in the Castle Park (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Sing - Faye Tozer from StepsSing - Faye Tozer from Steps (Image: Newsquest)

Also in 2018 came female icons Little Mix.

The X-Factor fab four came to the Colchester Stadium for their Summer Hits Tour, with plenty coming to enjoy their start-studded setlist of pop hits.

Gazette: Fantastic four - Little Mix on stage in 2018Fantastic four - Little Mix on stage in 2018 (Image: N/A)

Gazette: Fans - Little Mix lovers excited for the show to startFans - Little Mix lovers excited for the show to start (Image: N/A)

2019 was another big year for artists coming to Colchester.

In June, UK garage superstar Craig David played some of his biggest hits to a crowd of about 8,000 in Colchester Castle Park.

Gazette: Thumbs up - Craig David wowed crowds in 2019Thumbs up - Craig David wowed crowds in 2019 (Image: Newsquest)

The following month, the legendary Sir Tom Jones performed in front of a packed audience in the same venue.

Gazette: Famous - Tom Jones pictured in 2019Famous - Tom Jones pictured in 2019 (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Excited - Crowds were out in force to see Tom JonesExcited - Crowds were out in force to see Tom Jones (Image: Steve Brading)

The Welsh wonder performed a mixture of his own unmistakable hits, along with rock and roll and gospel covers.

All in all, it is safe to say Colchester has had some top artists perform here, and we are hoping more can come and light up the stage soon.